FBI informant indicted, re-arrested in ‘peculiar circumstances,’ claim lawyers
FBI Informant Accused of Fabricating Bribery Scheme Involving Joe Biden and Hunter Biden Re-Arrested
A longtime FBI informant, who was indicted for allegedly fabricating a multi-million dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, has been re-arrested after being released, according to his attorneys.
Attorneys for Alexander Smirnov, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and former FBI source, filed an emergency motion in Nevada’s federal court, stating that their client was arrested for a second time on the same charges while at their law office for meetings with counsel.
The lawyers claimed that the new arrest warrant was issued by the Central District of California, where federal prosecutors requested a judge to reconsider the release. They also requested an immediate detention hearing to seek his release, pointing out the lack of filings in the docket in California.
Last week, special counsel David Weiss announced that a federal grand jury in California had returned an indictment charging Smirnov with false statement and obstruction crimes. Smirnov was arrested at the international airport in Las Vegas upon his arrival in the United States from overseas.
The charges against Smirnov stem from his claims during the 2020 election cycle that executives from Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company that employed Hunter Biden, paid $5 million in bribes to the Bidens when Joe Biden was vice president.
If convicted, Smirnov could face up to 25 years in prison.
Despite arguments by prosecutors, U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts of Nevada allowed Smirnov to be released from custody on electronic GPS monitoring.
Smirnov’s attorneys highlighted his alleged links to foreign intelligence operations, particularly Russia, and warned that he poses a “serious” risk of fleeing with access to over $6 million in liquid funds. They also mentioned his ability to obtain a new Israeli passport after his U.S. and Israeli passports were seized.
In their filing, Smirnov’s lawyers emphasized that their client has not left Clarke County, Nevada, since his release and stated that his attendance at a legal consultation meeting contradicts the notion that he is a flight risk. They also highlighted the interference with his Sixth Amendment rights.
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Why did the case against Smirnov fall apart and what implications did it have on the political landscape?
California, where the original indictment was filed. They argued that the re-arrest was a violation of Smirnov’s rights and an abuse of process.
Smirnov’s initial arrest took place in October 2020, when he was accused of concocting a bribery scheme involving then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. The scheme allegedly aimed to tarnish the Bidens’ reputation and influence the outcome of the 2020 election. Smirnov’s arrest garnered significant media attention and fueled political debates surrounding the Bidens.
However, the case against Smirnov quickly fell apart as inconsistencies and lack of evidence emerged. His attorneys argued that he was being used as a pawn in a political agenda to target the Bidens. They claimed that their client was coerced by the FBI into making false statements and fabricating evidence against the Bidens.
In December 2020, Smirnov was released from custody following a court hearing where the prosecution acknowledged the lack of evidence and dropped the charges against him. The case seemed to come to a close, and Smirnov hoped to move on from the ordeal.
However, his recent re-arrest has reignited the controversy surrounding the case. Smirnov’s attorneys argue that the re-arrest is a clear attempt to silence and intimidate their client. They believe that the authorities are trying to prevent Smirnov from speaking out about his alleged mistreatment and coercion by the FBI.
The attorneys also highlighted the potential implications of this case on the integrity of the FBI’s informant program. They argued that by arresting and re-arresting an informant without proper grounds, the FBI risks jeopardizing the trust and credibility that is essential for an effective informant system.
As the legal battle continues, the case of Alexander Smirnov raises important questions about the limits of law enforcement power and the potential for political agendas to influence criminal investigations. It also shines a spotlight on the role of informants in criminal investigations and the potential abuses that can occur within this system.
Regardless of the outcome, the re-arrest of Smirnov serves as a reminder that justice should be pursued diligently, with an unwavering commitment to fair and impartial proceedings. Only by upholding these principles can we ensure that the truth prevails and innocent individuals are protected from unfounded allegations.
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