13 Russians, 3 firms charged with election meddling by US authorities

US authorities have charged 13 Russian nationals and three other Russian companies with election meddling as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged interference in the country’s 2016 presidential elections.

The charge which was issued by a federal jury in the United States was initiated by the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller which said Moscow interferance in the last polls was aimed to sway public opinion and promote the campaign of Republican Donald Trump, against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

“The indictment alleges that the Russian conspirators want to promote discord in the United States and undermine public confidence in democracy,” Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein said in a statement to reporters on Friday.

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Rosenstein also added that the Russians charged had wanted to undermine public confidence in the US democracy.

The charges against the suspects comes days after an online investigation by fiery Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny alleging that Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko received lavish hospitality from billionaire Oleg Deripaska was blocked by Russia’s communications oversight agency.

According to reports, the Russian billionaire has been reportedly linked with Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman who has been indicted in the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

The move proves that authorities is Russia seem to be clearing their lines just as Trump seems to be doing in his bid to cover whatever trace there is over a possible alliance with Moscow to influence the 2016 polls.

 

 

 

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