The US Justice Department said Friday it had charged Russian national Alexander Ionov with conspiracy, alleging he was a Kremlin-linked operator who pushed pro-Russian propaganda in America for at least seven years. According to the Independent, Aleksandr Ionov worked with a number of political figures from Florida, Georgia and California. He is suspected of meddling in the 2014 and 2022 elections.
Aleksandr Ionov allegedly worked as a liaison for the FSB, establishing contacts with fringe, separatist political parties. According to Reuters, most of the disinformation was aimed at undermining pro-Ukrainian sentiment among Americans.
“(Aleksandar Ionov aimed to incite unrest, promote pro-Russian propaganda, and influence the US election.”)
Today, in a joint action with @TheJusticeDept, the Ministry of Finance has sanctioned Alexander Ionov and other entities that support the Kremlin’s global malign influence operations. https://t.co/5NQhUOnI66
— Ministry of Finance (@USTreasury) July 29, 2022
According to CNN, the US Treasury Department also disclosed the fines for Ionov.
Aleksandr Ionov works for the Kremlin
According to Law and Crime, Ionov is a Moscow-based Kremlin operator who leads Russia’s anti-globalization movement. According to reports, the movement is a socio-political organization whose aim is to weaken large corporate institutions such as multinational companies. The US Department of Justice, on the other hand, claims that the movement was committed to political intrigue and agitation under Ionov. Prosecutors, on the other hand, say they conspired to sow political strife in the United States, Great Britain, Ukraine and Spain. Prosecutors alleged that Ionov and his agents enlisted the help of local politicians to spread the lies.
According to the prosecutors:
“According to the prosecution’s documents, Ionov allegedly conducted an apparent influence peddling effort, turning American political parties and individuals into instruments of the Russian government.”
His alleged efforts ranged from online disinformation to large political rallies. He is accused of starting a Change.org petition accusing the United States of genocide against Africans. Ionov was also suspected of funding the Uhuru movement, which aims to promote civil rights and development on the African continent. According to NBC, the FBI searched the movement’s headquarters following the indictment of Ionov.
In addition to allegations that he defamed the US government, Ionov was also accused of meddling in local elections in St. Petersburg, Florida, and prosecutors allege that he acted as a liaison to the Kremlin in support of certain political campaigns. The newspaper did not name the US lawmakers involved in the scheme. According to authorities, Ionov and the FSB monitored certain candidates and helped organize their campaign for the 2019 Florida election. Ionov, on the other hand, denied the allegations. After the publication of the indictment, Aleksandr issued an official statement.
He stated:
“Today we received the disturbing news about my placement on the sanctions list and the initiation of criminal prosecution against me. I have analyzed the materials and spoken to lawyers in the United States.”
He continued:
“The idea that I supposedly work for the special services hit me hard. No names or officials are mentioned. These accusations are harmful to me.”
The Justice Department has yet to release the identities of the Americans accused of participating in the plot.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education