1st charges filed in Russia-Trump probe
Washington, Oct. 28: A Washington grand jury on Friday approved the first charges in the probe led by independent prosecutor Robert Mueller, CNN reported, citing sources briefed on the matter. There was no information about the nature of the charges or their target. Reports also suggest one or more arrests could take place as early as Monday.
The approval of charges mark a major step forward in the sweeping investigation into potential links between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential vote.
A federal judge ordered that the charges stay sealed, CNN said, reporting that anyone charged could be taken into custody as early as Monday.
Reached by AFP, both Mr Mueller’s office and the US department of justice declined to comment.
US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia interfered in the election to try to help Mr Trump defeat Hillary Clinton through a campaign of hacking and releasing embarrassing emails, and disseminating propaganda via social media.
Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, was tapped in May to head the Russia probe — one of several ongoing investigations on the matter — shortly after Mr Trump’s shock sacking of then-FBI director James Comey.
Mr Mueller is probing whether Mr Trump campaign officials colluded with Russians, and whether they sought to obstruct justice by covering up such collusion. The investigation has also widened to examine issues of money laundering, tax evasion and other financial crimes.
Mr Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but his abrupt firing of Mr Comey is reportedly an area of interest to investigators, along with Mr Trump’s eldest son’s meeting with a Kremlinlinked lawyer during the campaign.