US charges four Americans, 3 Russians with election discord conspiracy
Four Americans affiliated with a Black empowerment and political organisation have been charged along with three Russians with conspiring to covertly sow discord in US society, spread Russian propaganda and interfere illegally in US elections, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
The US citizens and two Russians were added to an existing case in Tampa, Florida, federal court involving Aleksandr Ionov, described by prosecutors as the founder of a Moscow-based organisation funded by the Russian government to carry out a clandestine influence campaign in the US.
The four Americans are all part of the African People's Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement, which has locations in St Petersburg, Florida, and St Louis. Among those charged is Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the US-based organisation which was raided by the FBI last summer when Ionov was originally charged.
Russia's foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponised our First Amendment rights freedoms Russia denies to its