Special Counsel Robert Mueller begins interrogating Russian oligarchs

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller interrogated at least two Russian oligarchs “in recent weeks,” and electronic devices were even confiscated from one of them, reports CNN . Another businessman received a request in the mail. All of them were asked questions about the illegal financing of Donald Trump's campaign.

interrogations

• The names of the oligarchs are not called. One of them was detained at the airport in New York, where he arrived on a private jet, and his electronic devices were searched, several sources familiar with the investigation told CNN.
• Another oligarch was interviewed by Mueller's agents during his trip to the United States, another channel source says. Whether he was searched is unknown, the source added.
• The third businessman, who did not appear in the United States, was sent a written request by Mueller's employees.
• All three were asked the same questions, according to CNN: whether wealthy Russians were involved in the illegal financing of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

suspicions

• One CNN source suggests that the investigations into Russian businessmen mean that Mueller's team has already obtained some documents showing Russian involvement in financing the Trump campaign, and is now trying to get more information from Russians entering the US.
• US presidential candidates are prohibited from receiving funding from foreign nationals. According to CNN sources, the Russians may have sponsored Trump through US companies and NGOs, or through dummy US citizens. Earlier media reported that Mueller is interested in US citizens of Russian origin who maintain ties with their homeland.

Peter Myronenko