MOSCOW, July 8 (UPI) -- A lawyer for an imprisoned Russian scientist said she expected him to be freed by the end of the day Thursday, most likely through a prisoner swap in Britain.
The lawyer, Anna Stavitskaya, said Igor Sutyagin verbally agreed to an exchange during a meeting with Russian officials and that U.S. officials were present, The New York Times reported. Neither Russian nor U.S. officials confirmed the reported exchange.
Stavitskaya's comments followed reports from Washington on Wednesday that U.S. and Russian authorities were negotiating an exchange of some or all of the 10 accused agents for prisoners held in Russia, including Sutyagin. U.S. officials arrested 10 Russians about two weeks ago, accusing them of spying and recruiting for Russia.
"Probably he will be free today, this is the most important thing," Stavitskaya said, adding she hasn't heard anything from Russian officials. "If he is free, the United States could be thanked for one thing, for saving a person."
She said her client consistently denied being a U.S. spy, for which he was sentenced to a 14-year prison term. His family told the Times he signed a document admitting guilt this week.
While silent about details, U.S. officials in Washington confirmed the talks on Wednesday.
"I feel our discussions will probably be resolved by tomorrow (Thursday) one way or another," said Robert Baum, an attorney for one of the defendants.
Another defense lawyer said it was possible that many or all of the 10 defendants would plead guilty in federal court in New York Thursday when they appear for arraignment.
State Department officials would only confirm the spy case was discussed Wednesday when Williams Burns, a senior U.S. diplomat, met with Sergei Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States.
