Tampa, Fla. — A trial got underway Tuesday for a group of activists in Florida accused of acting as Russian agents trying to divide Americans and interfere with U.S. elections.
Most of the defendants were affiliated with the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement. The organization’s chairman, 82-year-old Omali Yeshitela, is one of the defendants. The fourth defendant later started a separate organization in Atlanta.
Yeshitela and two defendants were charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and failing to register with the Justice Department as agents of a foreign government. The fourth defendant is only facing the conspiracy charge. All of the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement is a Florida-based organization focused on historical issues affecting Blacks and social progress.
On Tuesday, Yeshitela’s attorney Ade Griffin said the defendants and a Russian organization called the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia shared many of the same goals but they were not acting under the direction of the Russian government.
Three Russians, including alleged intelligence agents, were also charged in connection with the case but they have not been arrested.
More on the allegations and trial.
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