PACKAGE: Thirteen Russians charged over US election meddling

Thirteen Russians have been charged by the FBI of interfering in the 2016 US election.

The indictment issued by Special Counsel Robert Mueller marks a major developemnt in his investigation into Russian meddling in the US election.

Our Washington Correspondent Harry Horton reports.

IN: "The 37-page indictment..."

OUT: SOC

DUR: 2"33

AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-AIR.mp3 

ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-ARN.mp3 

FM4: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-FM4.mp3 

GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-GEN.mp3 

ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-ICRT.mp3 

NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-VON.mp3 

938LIVE: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-938.mp3 

RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-RNZ.mp3 

SABC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-SABC.mp3

VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-VRN.mp3 

ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0216-RUSSIA-HH-ZIZ.mp3

SCRIPT:

The 37-page indictment details charges ranging from conspiracy to defraud the United States, bank fraud and indentity theft.

It alleges that back in May 2014, a Russian company with connections to the government called the Internet Research Agency, decided to target the 2016 US election.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the company employed hundreds of people and had an annual budget of millions of dollars.

<<TAKE SOT: Rod Rosenstein>>

"The defendants allegedly conducted what they called "information warfare" against the United States with the stated goal of "spread[ing] distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general." 

The indictment says specialists were instructed to "use any opportunity to disparage Hillary Clinton and support Donald Trump.

It says the Russians stole social security numbers, email addresses and bank details in order to pose as US citizens. They allegedly ran hundreds of social media accounts, some of which amassed thousands of followers. It asserts they Purchased US server space in an effort to hide their Russian affiliation. 

And in one of many astonishing details, the document alleges that the Russians paid Americans to build a cage to hold an actress portraying Hillary Clinton in a prison uniform.

<<TAKE SOT: Rod Rosenstein>>

"The Russians also recruited and paid real Americans to engage in political activities, promote political campaigns, and stage political rallies. The defendants and their co-conspirators pretended to be grassroots activists. According to the indictment, the Americans did not know that they were communicating with Russians. After the election, the defendants allegedly staged rallies to support the President-elect while simultaneously staging rallies to protest his election."

The indictment also states that once the Russians realised the FBI were investigating them, they began deleting documents in order to cover their tracks.

The White House says President Trump is glad to see further indication of "NO COLLUSION between the Trump campaign and Russia" - despite the indictment making no mention of the subject.

The Russian foreign ministry described the allegations as Absurd.

SOC