U.S. Drops Charges Against Ex-Kgb Agent

Accused of breaking the unwritten rules of the spy game, the Justice Department dropped charges Thursday against a retired KGB agent who freely admitted trying to steal “Star Wars” secrets for Russia.

The CIA and State Department decided prosecuting the former spy was not in the national interest after Russia repeatedly threatened to retaliate.

“We were upset with CIA only in that they changed their minds,” said a Justice official in Washington who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They should have told us this from the beginning.”

Vladimir Galkin, 50, was freed hours after Russia issued yet another public protest of his Oct. 29 arrest in New York.

Galkin was accused of offering $30,000 in 1990 and 1991 for reports pertaining to the Strategic Defense Initiative, a charge he openly admitted to - once he was released Thursday.

“It was an attempt, but I did not receive one bit of information,” Galkin said outside the courthouse before his lawyer hushed him.

CIA Director John Deutsch was not aware of Galkin’s impending arrest when lower-level CIA officials approved it, the Justice Department source said.

Deutch later argued strongly for dismissal of the charges out of concern that Russia might retaliate, possibly by expelling U.S. diplomats believed to be spies or arresting retired CIA agents visiting Russia on private visits.