iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Visitors can enjoy movies with family favourites, including ‘The Jungle Book’, ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Zootopia’ to match the wild theme every evening from 8pm
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Dual national charged with acting as unregistered Russian agent in US: Prosecutors
Branson received thousands of dollars in funding from the Russian govt; organized the 'I Love Russia' campaign in the US.
Russian Centre New York/Facebook
A dual national of the United States and Russia who ran an "I Love Russia" influence campaign has been charged with acting illegally as an unregistered agent of the Russian government, federal prosecutors in New York said on Tuesday.
Elena Branson, 61, faces six criminal counts over allegations by prosecutors that she failed to register with the US government as a foreign government agent and participated in a visa fraud conspiracy. She left the United States for Russia in 2020 and remains at large, prosecutors said.
The charges coincide with the United States seeking to put Russia under pressure with economic sanctions because of its attack on Ukraine.
"Particularly given current global events, the need to detect and hinder attempts at foreign influence is of critical importance," Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan said in a statement.
Branson could not be reached for comment.
Prosecutors said Branson received tens of thousands of dollars in funding from the Russian government to run an organization named the Russian Center New York, which organized the "I Love Russia" campaign in the United States and promoted Russian history and culture to US youth.
The organization also lobbied officials in the state of Hawaii to not change the name of a formerly Russian fort on the island of Kauai, and organized a trip for Hawaiian officials to Moscow to meet with Russian counterparts, prosecutors said.
Such activity is not by itself illegal, but US lobbyists for foreign governments are required to disclose their affiliation to the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
ALSO READ:
Prosecutors said Branson told the FBI during a September 2020 interview that she had never been asked by Russian officials to coordinate meetings with US officials, and left for Russia shortly thereafter.
More news from
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his congratulations to all eight honourees, recognising their inspiring efforts and significant contributions in service to society
His father thanked everyone who participated in the search mission despite the challenges posed by flooding in various parts of the emirate
It will be humid by night and Sunday morning with a probability of mist formation over some coastal and internal areas
Nearly 6,000 volunteers linked to a single support group are working tirelessly across the country to help those affected
Real estate developer MAG pledges to cover all the costs of necessary repairs for affected residents
The substantial increase in charges left many residents financially burdened, as they strive to retrieve their stranded vehicles
While parents acknowledge the importance of safety as a result of inclement weather, they also expressed disquiet about extended holidays
