By Sam Trotter-
The indictment of thirteen Russians charged with interfering in the US 2016 election, has come as a blow to the Russian government who have always denied the allegation.
The announcement confirms long held wide suspicions that Russians were unlawfully and ethically involved in the meddling of the U.S elections.
Three of those named have also been accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and five have been accused of aggravated identity theft.
The charges made by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating alleged Russian meddling, also named Three Russian companies
One of them is the Internet Research Agency, based in St Petersburg, which the 37-page indictment said “had a strategic goal to sow discord in the US political system, including the 2016 US presidential election”.
Speaking at a news conference, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said there was no allegation that any American was “a knowing participant in this illegal activity” nor was it alleged that the meddling altered the election outcome.
President Trump later tweeted that his campaign had done “nothing wrong,” and again denied colluding with Russia.
In an unusual statement for one who has often defended Russia, Trump finally acknowledged Russian election meddling – something which he has in
Twitter post by @realDonaldTrump:
Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong – no collusion!Image Copyright
@realDonaldTrump@REALDONALDTRUMP
Report-
Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials have repeatedly denied interfering in the US presidential election.
POSED
The indictment states that the offending Russians posed as Americans, and opened financial accounts in their name. They also spent thousands of dollars a month buying political advertising and purchasing U.S server space in an effort to hide their Russian affiliation
They further organised and promoted political rallies within the United States and posted political messages on social media accounts that impersonated real US citizens.
Further charges included the promotion of information that disparaged Hillary Clinton
The fraudulent Russian groups also operated with a monthly budget of as much as $1.25m (£890,000). The indictment is a huge shame and disgrace to the Russians who participated in this dishonourable affair. Elections are supposed to be fair and open without the corrupt interference of dishonest and fraudulent individuals.
The FBI investigations are still in their developing stages, and Mueller is probing other allegations carefully. It may be months before we hear the end of this investigation.