Man arrested in Russia over accusations of spying for New Zealand, local media report

A man has been arrested in Russia on accusations of spying for New Zealand, media reports say.

The Moscow Times reported Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said a 55-year-old man had contacted New Zealand intelligence services.

New Zealand's intelligence services are part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance which includes Australia, Canada, Britain and the United States.

The unidentified man was alleged to have gathered and shared information "that could be used against Russia's national security".

The Moscow Times reported the FSB claimed New Zealand had "recruited" the man to gather intelligence on Russia's defence cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

He was arrested in the south-east city of Khabarovsk.

Video footage by FSB shown by Russian media showed authorities rushing over to the man on a street pavement and pinning him to the ground before locking him in handcuffs.

The video showed the man being taken into custody and his home searched.

The information hasn't been independently verified.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Intelligence Service and the Russian Embassy have all been approached for comment.