Well there are always exceptions to the rule!!!
And I don't remember anything about an Englishman being executed in China! That would have been front page news....

I am sure there is already plenty of spying in Russia by Europeans and others. Visa requirements won't stop them since they'll pass themselves off as businessmen, embassy staff and get a visa without problems.

There might be "white collar" crimes by Europeans in Russia but again, I don't think visas play any roll in controlling that.