Russian banker accused by U.S. of spy role gets 2-1/2 years prison

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Russian banker who U.S. prosecutors say was involved with a spy ring operating in New York City that sought to collect economic and other intelligence was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in prison on Wednesday.

Evgeny Buryakov, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan and fined $10,000 (£6,800) after pleading guilty in March to having conspired to act improperly as an agent for the Russian government.