(RoyalPatriot.com )- The only demonstrable evidence of Russian interference in U.S. politics was revealed quietly from the U.S. Department of Justice today, with the unsealing of an indictment charging a Russian national with “orchestrating a years-long foreign malign influence campaign that used various U.S. political groups to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda, and interfere in elections within the United States.”
The New York Times piece on the issue buries the names of the organizations purportedly used by the Russian government in the plan, especially the “Uhuru Movement” of St. Petersburg, Florida, which is part of the African People’s Socialist Party.
Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) contends that from at least December 2014 to March 2022, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a Moscow resident, and at least three Russian officials participated in a years-long foreign malicious influence campaign targeting the United States. Ionov is the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), a Moscow-based group supported by the Russian government. Ionov used AGMR to carry out Russia’s influence campaign.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said that Ionov allegedly coordinated a blatant influence effort, converting U.S. political groups and persons into instruments of the Russian government.
He said the Department of Justice won’t let Russia sow discord and “promote falsehoods in the US.”
Ionov allegedly utilized his power over groups like the Uhuru movement to distribute pro-Russian propaganda and intervene in local elections.
In January 2016, Ionov allegedly “assured funds for — and eventually supported — a four-city demonstration trip” by U.S. Political Group 1 in favor of a “Petition on Crime of Genocide against African People in the U.S.”
In 2017 and 2019, Ionov allegedly financed two St. Petersburg, Florida, political races and instructed Russian controllers of his campaigns. He is accused of plotting to have U.S. citizens operate as unauthorized agents of the Russian government, a five-year felony.
Meanwhile, Omali Yeshitela, head of the Uhuru movement, said on Facebook live that police had “handcuffed me and my wife.” He then discussed potential donations from “anyone who wants to help Black people’s problems.”
Ionov was previously accused of soliciting cash for convicted Russian spy Maria Butina, now a State Duma member. Butina targeted conservative groups like the NRA and CPAC after being issued a student visa by the Obama administration.
