A legal petition was filed at Moscow Meshchansky District Court seeking a detention measure for an individual identified as Timofeeva SV. The investigation reportedly sought his arrest, and Timofeev was placed on an international wanted list.
The date of birth listed as March 18, 1989 matches that of a photographer and blogger known as Svetlana Timofeeva, who was detained in Albania this week under the alias Lana Sator. He and two other foreigners, Mikhail Zorin and Fyodor Mikhailovich A, both linked to Russia and Ukraine, allegedly attempted to enter a Molot military facility in Albania. Officials in Albania indicated that soldiers trying to detain them were injured and transported to a hospital.
A restraining measure of detention in absentia for two months was chosen against the accused Timofeeva Svetlana Valerievna, effective from the moment of detention within the Russian Federation or from the moment of transfer to law enforcement authorities in Russia. The court press service noted that if extradition or deportation to Russia occurs, or if Timofeeva is detained within Russian territory, the measure remains in force.
Timofeev is charged under paragraph a of part 2 of Article 283.1 of the Criminal Code, which concerns unlawful acquisition of information constituting a state secret by a group through coercive or unlawful means. The maximum penalty for this offense is up to eight years in prison. Judge Irina Akkuratova is presiding over the case. In 2019, a related matter involving a seventh studio was returned to prosecutors due to contradictions uncovered during a financial review.
A friend of Svetlana, Maria, told socialbites.ca that the Albanian court had ordered detention for Timofeeva and the other defendants during the investigation.
Reports indicate that Timofeeva, who operates under the pseudonym Lana Sator, is a photographer known for documenting Soviet-era heritage sites, abandoned spaces, and industrial locales. She has amassed a sizable following on social media, exceeding 250,000 followers.
The 2011 incident involving the Energomash facility in Khimki is cited as a notable episode. A group reportedly gained access to the site, visiting several workshops and a test area unhindered, which drew sharp criticism from officials in Moscow. The subsequent release of related photographs angered officials, including a deputy prime minister responsible for defense industry oversight, who urged accountability for the breach.
In August 2018, following a post on Instagram, authorities pledged to investigate allegations about the abandoned police and FMS department in Moscow. Documents found at the site reportedly survived dissolution and included various certificates, old boss files, and personal records of residents, with claims that some materials were later released by police after the photographs circulated.
Timofeva is also known for her work documenting hidden or restricted spaces, a portfolio that has drawn both interest and controversy within professional circles.
spy photographers in Albania
On August 21, it was reported that three foreigners were detained near a military facility outside the city of Gramsci. The facility manager described an attempted breach by the trio, with one individual using a spray against the soldiers involved in stopping them. Albanian officials stated that the three carried Russian and Ukrainian passports when attempting to access the facility.
Defenders at the site responded immediately, though two soldiers sustained injuries while restraining the intruders. The Albanian defense ministry described the detainees as in custody, with the soldiers listed in stable condition. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama indicated that the detainees were suspected of espionage at the time of the incident.
Authorities later noted that one of the detainees, Mikhail Zorin, attempted to photograph the facility and used a spray during the escape. Reuters reported that the others were detained in the days that followed. The Albanian Ministry of Defense noted that the facility has ties to defense industry services and, historically, produced weapons. Albania has been a NATO member since 2009.
“Doubtful and far away”
Russia’s ambassador to Albania, Mikhail Afanasiev, told a correspondent agency that political motives appeared to shape official public statements about the detention. The ambassador argued that the espionage accusation seemed exaggerated and cautioned against premature conclusions by authorities in both countries.
Afanasiev criticized what he saw as a sensational response from political leaders and emphasized a need for due process. He noted that a clear consular procedure had not yet been carried out and called for presenting necessary information to arrange a meeting between the detained individuals and their consulate. He questioned the connection between the events and espionage, suggesting the incident might be mischaracterized instead of a straightforward legal matter. The ambassador warned that conclusions should await the results of formal investigations and emphasized that actions should not be driven by rhetoric or premature judgments.
The diplomat expressed concern that the interpretation of the event could escalate tensions and hinder lawful diplomacy, urging restraint until investigations conclude and consular engagements are properly arranged. He described the incident as a sensitive matter, potentially involving misinterpretation of protective zones around defense facilities and the rights of foreign nationals within Albania.