By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN FEDERAL COURT — Federal prosecutors are appealing a judge's decision to release on bail an El Diario columnist charged with working as a Russian spy, the U.S. Attorney's office said Tuesday.
Accused spy Vicky Pelaez, 55, who lives in Yonkers but was born in Peru, was told she could be put on house arrest and released from jail on a $250,000 bond, secured by $10,000 cash and three responsible co-signers.
As of about 4 p.m. on Tuesday Pelaez had not yet met those conditions and was still being held in federal custody. She has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
A written, sealed appeal filed by prosecutors could prevent her release altogether.
Prosecutors fought to keep the group of alleged spies, 11 in total, in jail as their charges are pending, claiming they are flight risks.
One suspect was arrested in Cyprus, but skipped bail and went missing.
Pelaez's husband, who was arrested under his fake name "Juan Lazaro" and admitted to using a phony moniker, told prosecutors he and Pelaez worked for the Russian government, according to court documents released last week.
He consented to postponing his bail hearing and is also still in custody.
