FBI source accused of spreading lies linked to Russian spies

An ex-FBI informant accused of spreading false information about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter has been revealed to have connections with Russian intelligence agencies. The allegations against Alexander Smirnov, a dual US-Israeli citizen, were outlined in the new Department of Justice filings on Tuesday. Mr Smirnov is accused of lying about bribes allegedly paid to the Bidens via a Ukrainian energy firm, Burisma, as part of ongoing efforts by Republicans to discredit President Biden. He was charged with giving false statements to the FBI and was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, upon returning from an overseas trip. Prosecutors requested that Mr Smirnov be held without bail, citing his ties to Russian intelligence agencies and his willingness to use those connections to potentially leave the US. The court filing revealed that Mr Smirnov had attended a meeting with a high-ranking member of a specific Russian foreign intelligence service in 2023, where he reportedly learned of intercepted phone calls made by prominent US individuals that could be used as “kompromat” in the 2024 election campaign. Special Counsel David Weiss, who is overseeing the investigation of Hunter Biden, charged Mr Smirnov with providing false and derogatory information to the FBI about the president and his son in 2020. Prosecutors claim that Mr Smirnov’s actions were motivated by his personal dislike of President Biden and if convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison. The case highlights the potential threats posed by individuals with ties to foreign intelligence agencies and the need to verify sources of information, especially in highly politicized environments.