Russian scientist arrested in espionage probe: agencies

A Russian scientist has been arrested in a probe into allegations staff at a top space research centre have been passing information on the country's weapons programme to the West, agencies reported today.

The Roscosmos space organisation confirmed in comments to agencies that 74-year-old Viktor Kudryavtsev from the Central Research Institute of Machine Building near Moscow had been detained.

Award-winning scientist Kudryavtsev insisted he was not guilty of treason, his son said in reported comments.

Roscosmos denied reports a second employee of the research institute had been arrested.

Russia's FSB security services last week raided the institute on the basis that Western security services had obtained information on secret hypersonic developments by Russian industry.

Sources told the Kommersant newspaper the probe was over "high treason," with around 10 people suspected of "cooperation with Western secret services."