Alexander Babakov's press conference. File photoWASHINGTON, Apr 14 U.S. authorities have indicted Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Alexander Babakov and two individuals associated with him in an attempt to «weaken Washington's partnership» with European countries and undermine Western sanctions on Russia, the report says. documents of the Federal District Court of the Southern District of New York. «Defendants Alexander Mikhailovich Babakov, Alexander Nikolaevich Vorobyov and Mikhail Alekseevich Plisyuk managed an international network of influence and disinformation, the task of which was to promote the interests of the Russian Federation,» follows from the documents published in the electronic database of the court .
The United States is considering expanding sanctions against RussiaThey suggest that the US authorities accuse Babakov and his assistants of «attempts to weaken the US partnership with European allies» , undermine Western sanctions and facilitate Russian actions aimed at violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.» The documents also allege that these individuals allegedly attempted to influence U.S. government policy toward Russia, including through «staged events, paid propaganda, and the recruitment of at least one U.S. citizen to advance their interests in unofficial quality.» The Russians are accused on three counts. They are charged, among other things, with «working as agents of a foreign government without notifying the US Attorney General, visa fraud, and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.» The crimes attributed to the Russians, according to court documents, were committed between 2012 and 2017. , declared in the State Duma
