DHAKA: Thirteen Russians have been charged with interfering in the US 2016 election, in a major development in the FBI investigation, reports BBC.

Three of those named have also been accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five have been accused of aggravated identity theft.

The charges were made by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating alleged Russian meddling.

Three Russian companies are also named in the indictment.
One of them is the Internet Research Agency, based in St Petersburg, which the 37-page indictment said "had a strategic goal to sow discord in the US political system, including the 2016 US presidential election".

Speaking at a news conference, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said there was no allegation that any American was "a knowing participant in this illegal activity" nor was it alleged that the meddling altered the election outcome.

Trump was briefed on the indictment earlier on Friday (February 16), White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. The president later tweeted that his campaign had done nothing wrong.

Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in the US presidential election.

The indictment says those involved systematically measured how well their internet posts were doing and adjusted their strategies to maximize effectiveness.

US intelligence agencies believe Russia tried to sway the 2016 presidential election in favor of Republican candidate Donald Trump.

As part of the inquiry, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has been charged with conspiring to defraud the US in his dealings with Ukraine, and conspiracy to launder money.
A business associate of his, Rick Gates, was also charged with conspiracy to launder money. A third adviser to the Trump campaign, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

Trump has been accused by opponents of trying to interfere with the investigation. The president denies this - as well as any allegation of collusion with Russia during the campaign.

BDST: 0915 HRS, FEB 17, 2018
SI