Mr Pope, a retired US naval intelligence officer, made a final emotional statement in his defence. Russian state television has broadcast part of an interview which it said was conducted after his conviction, in which the businessman said he did not regret visiting Russia. No independent journalists have been given access to Mr Pope. Mr Pope, who does not speak Russian, was been denied the services of an independent interpreter, being allowed one only from the Federal Security Service which brought the charge against him. Appeal 'certain' Mr Pope, founder of a company specialising in studying foreign maritime equipment, is the first US citizen to stand trial for espionage in Moscow since 1960, when Gary Powers' U2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union.
Correspondents say an appeal is certain.
It is likely that US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, will discuss the case with the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, when they meet later this month.