Ex-Russian MP paid $45 million by US for classified intelligence, authorities say

Former State Duma deputy Magomed Gadzhiev received at least $45 million from U.S. government agencies in exchange for disclosing classified information, according to a source at Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office.

The payments were uncovered by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Gadzhiev is said to have left Russia and offered to cooperate with Western intelligence services in return for foreign citizenship.

He reportedly confirmed this in a video shared on his Telegram channel.

Since May 2023, Gadzhiev has been listed as a foreign agent by Russia’s Ministry of Justice.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has previously filed a lawsuit seeking to classify Gadzhiev and three others as part of an extremist organisation.

Authorities are calling for his partner, Nina Kolomiytseva, who allegedly spread discrediting information about the Russian army’s actions in the special military operation and financially supported Ukraine and its armed formations, to also be designated.

Gadzhiev’s son and sister, who reportedly hold his assets, are also named as members, with prosecutors claiming they facilitate financial support for extremist activity.

By Aghakazim Guliyev