US charges 13 Russian nationals, 3 Russian entities with pro-Trump election interference
The defendants reportedly used Facebook adverts, scurrilous rumours and life protests to promote Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton
Some 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities have been charged with interfering in the American political process by promoting now-US President Donald Trump and denigrating his opposition, according to the office of US Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced the indictment, which claims the defendants’ operations were intended to “sow discord in the US political system, including the 2016 presidential election.”
They included using bogus Facebook adverts to stir up anger over controversial social issues, paying Americans to pose in staged anti-Clinton rallies, and promoting allegations of voter fraud by the Democratic Party.
After news of the indictments emerged, Trump dismissed them in a tweet, saying there was “no collusion” between his team and the Russians, who began their campaign in 2014 - before he entered the race.
“This indictment serves as a reminder that people are not always who they appear to be on the Internet,” Rosenstein told a news conference.
The Russian conspirators want to promote discord in the United States ... We must not allow them to succeed