This Sept 6, 2022 photo shows the city view of Vladivostok, Russia. (ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO JR / XINHUA)

MOSCOW — The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday it had initiated a criminal case against a US citizen over espionage.

"The Russian Federal Security Service initiated a criminal case against a US citizen on the grounds of a crime under Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation 'Espionage,'" it said in a statement.

READ MORE:Russia expels Japanese consul for espionage

According to the statement, the US citizen is suspected of collecting biological intelligence information directed against the security of Russia.