Russian Spy Studied at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Security
Friday 17th, June 2022
A Russian spy who was uncovered by Dutch intelligence officials while trying to infiltrate the International Criminal Court (ICC) spent four years studying at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
A Russian operative, Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov who went under the Brazilian akias of Victor Muller Ferreira studied at Trinity College Dublin for four years between 20124 to 2018 completing a political science degree.
Cherkasov was detained by Dutch intelligence officials when he arrived at a Dutch airport using a false identity on his way to infiltrate the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is currently investigating accusations of war crimes in Ukraine.
Trinity College Dublin were contacted in relation to Cherkasov and responded saying that under GDPR regulations they are unable to discuss past students.
Cherkasov also lists the Dublin International Study Centre as a place of work from June 2014 to August 2015, where he claims to have taught students "reading skills, writing skills, listening and speaking skills", as well as leading "small group academic tutorials on General Algebra and Geometry classes", these calims haven't been verified at present.
Cherkasov created a detailed and elaborate back story spaning back a number of years to get entry into the Netherlands as a Brazilian national for an internship at the Hague based ICC in April.
Cherkasov was identified by western intelligence officials as a Russian spy and traveled to the Netherlands under the false pretences that he had obtained an internship at the ICC.
The Dutch Intelligence Service also published a four-page back story that Cherkasov had invented, including details of a troubled childhood in Brazil and an affinity for bean stew and trance music.
"Cherkasov used a well-constructed cover identity by which he concealed all his ties with Russia in general, and the GRU [the Russian foreign intelligence agency] in particular," a statement from the Dutch authorities said.
"This was a long-term, multi-year GRU operation that cost a lot of time, energy and money," said Dutch intelligence agency chief Erik Akerboom."
"It clearly shows us what the Russians are up to – trying to gain illegal access to information within the ICC."
"We classify this as a high-level threat," Mr Akerboom added, saying the ICC had accepted him for an internship.
ICC spokesperson Sonia Robla said the court was grateful to Dutch authorities for the operation and the exposing of security risks. "The ICC takes these threats very seriously and will continue to work and cooperate with The Netherlands," she said.
A Russian operative, Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov who went under the Brazilian akias of Victor Muller Ferreira studied at Trinity College Dublin for four years between 20124 to 2018 completing a political science degree.
Cherkasov was detained by Dutch intelligence officials when he arrived at a Dutch airport using a false identity on his way to infiltrate the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is currently investigating accusations of war crimes in Ukraine.
Trinity College Dublin were contacted in relation to Cherkasov and responded saying that under GDPR regulations they are unable to discuss past students.
Cherkasov also lists the Dublin International Study Centre as a place of work from June 2014 to August 2015, where he claims to have taught students "reading skills, writing skills, listening and speaking skills", as well as leading "small group academic tutorials on General Algebra and Geometry classes", these calims haven't been verified at present.
Cherkasov created a detailed and elaborate back story spaning back a number of years to get entry into the Netherlands as a Brazilian national for an internship at the Hague based ICC in April.
Cherkasov was identified by western intelligence officials as a Russian spy and traveled to the Netherlands under the false pretences that he had obtained an internship at the ICC.
The Dutch Intelligence Service also published a four-page back story that Cherkasov had invented, including details of a troubled childhood in Brazil and an affinity for bean stew and trance music.
"Cherkasov used a well-constructed cover identity by which he concealed all his ties with Russia in general, and the GRU [the Russian foreign intelligence agency] in particular," a statement from the Dutch authorities said.
"This was a long-term, multi-year GRU operation that cost a lot of time, energy and money," said Dutch intelligence agency chief Erik Akerboom."
"It clearly shows us what the Russians are up to – trying to gain illegal access to information within the ICC."
"We classify this as a high-level threat," Mr Akerboom added, saying the ICC had accepted him for an internship.
ICC spokesperson Sonia Robla said the court was grateful to Dutch authorities for the operation and the exposing of security risks. "The ICC takes these threats very seriously and will continue to work and cooperate with The Netherlands," she said.
