Lawyer denies spy allegations against Latvian-American

The lawyer of a woman accused of smuggling weapons to Moscow recently denied allegations that she is a spy working for Russia, according to a report by CBS news Wednesday.

Latvian-born Anna Fermanova, 24, was arrested July 15 at her home near Dallas after returning from a four-month trip to Moscow.

Fermanova's attorney, Scott Palmer, told CBS affiliate KTVT that his client is not a spy, nor is she Russian. He believes that her arrest has been blown out of proportion, mainly because it happened so close to the arrest and deportation of 10 Russian spies.

"She's concerned; she doesn't like the fact the New York press has labeled her the new sexy Russian spy. Again, she's not a spy, and she's not Russian," he said.

Fermanova was being investigated in New York after authorities found rifles equipped with scopes, including one that had night vision capabilities in her baggage bound for Russia in March at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Fermanova said she bought them for her husband, who resides in Moscow, for hunting.

Under US law, sophisticated military weapons cannot be exported without the approval of the US State Department.

If convicted, Fermanova could face up to 10 years in prison.

Agencies