Two Russians are due to go on trial in Angola accused of stirring up anti-government protests, conducting a campaign of disinformation, and attempting to interfere in next year's presidential election. Arrested last August, political consultant Igor Ratchin and translator Lev Lakshtanov are facing 11 charges, including terrorism, espionage, and influence peddling.
The BBC has obtained a copy of the indictment that includes charges relating to an alleged operation aimed at changing the political course of Angola. The Russians' lawyers challenge the indictment on the grounds that it lacks concrete and objective facts.
According to the prosecution, the Russians acted on behalf of Africa Politology, a shadowy network of operatives and intelligence officers in Africa that emerged from the now-defunct Wagner Group. Political operatives linked to Wagner have been active across Africa for more than a decade.
The Russians' defence team insists they were not connected to Africa Politology or the Wagner Group, claiming instead to be cooperating to create a cultural Russian House in Luanda.
Angola, a top African oil producer and diamond exporter, has seen its ties with Russia dwindle in recent years. The ongoing trial comes in a climate where Angolan President João Lourenço has pivoted towards the West, complicating the legacy of Cold War alliances.
The prosecution claims the defendants orchestrated widespread protests that erupted last year during a taxi drivers' strike, citing evidence such as notes found on their mobile phones. However, many believe the protests reflected genuine public dissatisfaction with Angola's economic hardships, rather than foreign orchestration.
As Angola prepares for its presidential election, the case of Ratchin and Lakshtanov raises critical questions about the influence of foreign powers in domestic politics and the integrity of Angola's governance.
