US imposes 'election interference' sanctions on Russia-linked individuals and entities

The US administration has imposed sanctions on Russia-linked individuals and entities accused of attempting to influence US public opinion ahead of the presidential election in November.

The sanctions were announced by the US Departments of Justice, State, and Treasury. As part of the sanctions, an indictment was prepared against Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, employees of the Russian media network Russia Today (RT), on charges of money laundering and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Assessing the threats to the elections in the US, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “The Foreign Agents Registration Act was enacted nearly a century ago to ensure that the American people are informed when a foreign power engages in political activity or attempts to influence public debate. When a foreign power seeks to exploit our country’s freedom of exchange of ideas to spread its own propaganda, the American people have a right to know.”

Garland accused the defendants, Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, of implementing a $10 million scheme to provide funding to a Tennessee-based company for the publication and distribution of pro-Russian government content. Allegedly, the company in question contacted social media influencers in the US to share such content. The indictment stated that Kalashnikov identified himself as the “Deputy Director of the Digital Media Projects Department” at RT, while Afanasyeva identified herself as a “producer at RT” on social media.

Garland emphasized that the company did not inform the social media influencers or their millions of followers about its ties to RT and the Russian government. In his statement, Garland said, “Instead, the defendants and the company claimed that the company was backed by a private investor.”

According to the indictment, the company published hundreds of videos in the US containing commentary on various issues and developments regarding immigration, inflation, and domestic and foreign policy.

Garland said, “The Justice Department’s message is clear: We have no tolerance for attempts by authoritarian regimes to exploit our democratic system of government. We will relentlessly and aggressively counter and dismantle attempts by Russia, Iran, China, or any other foreign malicious actor to interfere in our elections and undermine our members.”

Prior to Garland’s statement, the US Department of the Treasury announced that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had added 10 individuals and two entities to its list “as part of the US government’s coordinated response to Moscow’s malicious efforts targeting the 2024 US Presidential Election.”

In its sanctions announcement, the Treasury Department stated that the Russian media network RT used a shell company to hide its own and the Russian government’s involvement in content aimed at influencing US public opinion. The Treasury Department also announced that sanctions were imposed on the popular pro-Russian hacker group RaHDIt. In its statement, the ministry noted that this group is managed by active and former Russian intelligence officers.

The US Department of State announced that a new visa restriction policy would be implemented for individuals determined to be acting on behalf of Kremlin-backed media organizations. A senior State Department official also announced that they have designated six RT affiliates operating in the US as “foreign missions” and are offering a “reward of up to $10 million” to those who provide information regarding attempts to interfere in US elections.

"WE BELIEVE MR. PUTIN IS INVOLVED IN THESE ACTIVITIES"

White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby, in response to a question about whether senior Russian officials were aware of RT’s activities, commented that the US believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the situation. Kirby said, “We believe Mr. Putin is involved in these activities.”

Under the sanctions, the assets of the individuals and institutions listed that are within the US or under the control of American citizens will be blocked.

News Source: İHA