Russia investigation: Mueller orders arrest of Trump's former campaign manager
Paul Manafort, US President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, has reportedly been asked to surrender along with former business partner Rick Gates in the Russia election probe. It is still unclear what charges were filed. In July, the FBI had seized suspicious documents and other materials related to the case from Manafort's home. Gates used to work with him on his foreign lobbying contracts.
Reports: First charges filed in Trump-Russia investigation, arrests imminent
On 28th Oct, an investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election were filed. It remained unclear what the charges were and who they were filed against, according to CNN and Reuters reports. Mueller is also investigating any potential links between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Mueller has interviewed White House officials
In May, the Justice Department appointed Mueller, a former FBI director, as special counsel after Trump fired FBI director James Comey. A federal grand jury in Washington has approved the charges which are sealed under a federal judge's orders, according to reports. Mueller's spokesman has declined to comment on the reports. His team has reportedly extensively interviewed multiple current and former White House officials.
What Mueller is investigating
Earlier this year, US intelligence agencies said the Russian government tried helping Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election. The agencies believe Russia promoted a campaign to disparage Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. It did so by hacking into Democratic email accounts and paying trolls on social media to make malicious and vilifying comments against Clinton.
Trump denies collusion, accuses Clinton of having Russian links
On Friday, Trump tweeted that it was "commonly agreed" he didn't collude with Russia. However, he said there were links between Clinton and Moscow. Republican lawmakers allege that the US made a uranium deal with a Russian company in 2010 while Clinton was secretary of state. The case is being investigated, which Democrats claim is meant to divert attention from the Russia investigation.
Manafort's past lobbying helped him establish ties with Ukraine
Till he joined Trump's campaign in March'16, Manafort extensively represented prominent Russian figures in business. He resigned as Trump's campaign manager in August'16 when reports emerged about his past lobbying. He then retrospectively registered as a foreign agent and disclosed $17mn in payments for his past consultancy. Sources said investigators would threaten criminal charges to get Manafort talking about Trump's links with the Kremlin.
