"US Indicts Russian Accused of Promoting California’s Secession"

The US authorities have recently indicted a Russian national for allegedly orchestrating a Kremlin-backed “malign influence campaign” designed to sow discord and interfere in elections.  Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov is accused of conspiring with at least three Russian officials to run the campaign from at least December 2014 until March 2022.  According to the Department of Justice (DoJ), working under the auspices of the Kremlin-backed Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR) he founded, Ionov recruited several US political groups and “exercised direction or control over them” on behalf of the Russian security service, the FSB.  The DoJ stated that Ionov provided financial support to the groups, persuaded them to publish pro-Russian propaganda, funded direct action by the groups inside the US intended to further Russian interests and coordinated coverage of these protests in the Russian media.  The DoJ noted that one of the group’s goals was to promote California’s secession from the United States.  Ionov is also accused of sponsoring unnamed candidates in local elections in Florida.  Ionov is charged with conspiring to have US citizens act as illegal agents of the Russian government.  If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  However, his continued residence in Russia would seem to preclude any formal trial.

Infosecurity reports: "US Indicts Russian Accused of Promoting California’s Secession"