Alexander Viktorovich Ionov is alleged to have orchestrated “a years-long foreign campaign of malicious influence that used various political groups in the US to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda and interfere in elections in the United States,” according to a statement of the Ministry of Justice.
Prosecutors say the purpose of the conspiracy was to establish relationships that would “protect the interests of the Russian Federation.” Ionov, the indictment alleges, worked with FSB agents to “identify and exploit” ties to American political groups.
The indictment described some of the US political groups as “separatist groups” based in Florida and California that advocated secession from the US, and alleged that Ionov had “leadership or control over these groups on behalf of the FSB”, providing financial support for the group and their use to publish Russian and pro-separatist propaganda online and on the radio.
Six U.S. citizens worked with and were funded by Ionov, including two unnamed Florida residents who ran for public office in 2017 and 2019, the indictment said.
The unindicted co-conspirators are said to have worked to promote Russian interests, secessionist movements in California and led pro-separatist political groups in the US, all with FSB funding.
According to the indictment, Ionov supported the 2019 campaign of one of these alleged co-conspirators for local office in Florida by attending campaign events and providing funds. Yonov is also said to have sent campaign progress updates to FSB agents about the candidate whom, Yonov allegedly wrote to the FSB, “we control.”
The indictment alleges that Ionov made false claims about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as part of the conspiracy, including a video appearance that Ionov allegedly made in a March video conference organized by the Florida-based group.
Ionov, who says he is currently in Russia, denied the allegations in a statement to CNN: “Today we received disturbing news about my inclusion on the sanctions list and the opening of a criminal case. I have reviewed the documents and consulted with attorneys in the U.S. I do not yet understand the nature of the indictment, as the documents do not specifically refer to individuals in the Russian government for whom I allegedly worked. I was particularly struck by the fact that I supposedly work for special services. At the same time, the names and officials are not called. I find these allegations devastating.”
The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions on Friday against Ionov and Natalia Valerievna Burlinova, the president of an organization allegedly linked to Russian intelligence, and their organizations.
“The Kremlin has repeatedly sought to threaten and undermine our democratic processes and institutions,” Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in a statement Friday. “The United States will continue our extensive work to counter these efforts and to protect our democracy from Russian interference.
Under the law that Ionov is accused of violating, Ionov faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The indictment cited media reports describing Ionov as a fundraiser for the defense of Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to acting as a foreign agent in an attempt to influence American gun rights groups. Prosecutors say Ionov was warned by an FSB agent who commented on one such article in 2019 that sanctions could be imposed on him.
The indictment points to several episodes of the alleged influence campaign. In 2015, a member of the Florida-based group, identified as an unindicted UIC-1 co-conspirator, traveled to Russia twice – the first time to meet with Yonov and the second time to attend a “separatist conference” in Moscow , according to the indictment. Also that year, Ionov allegedly worked with another member of the Florida-based group on a petition to be sent to the United Nations.
The alleged plot continued into 2016, prosecutors say, with Ionov’s demands that the Florida-based group stage a four-city tour to show that people were opposed to the “colonial U.S. government” and that the group made statements in support of the Russian Olympic team amid the doping controversy that year.
The indictment also accuses Ionov of sending an email to members of the California-based group about plans for a demonstration at the California state capital in 2018. Ionov passed on details of the demonstration to an FSB agent, who complained that the rally was not “historic ‘ demonstration, the indictment says.
“The prosecution of this criminal conduct is essential to protect the American public when foreign governments seek to intrude into the American political process,” U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, where the indictment was filed, said. said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our FBI partners to investigate these events and will continue to follow the evidence to ensure that justice is served.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Donnie O’Sullivan contributed reporting.
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