The Russia investigations of US special investigator Robert Mueller are apparently nearing completion. US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday. „The investigation is nearing completion, as far as I know,“ Whitaker said. „I hope we will receive the report as soon as possible.“ Details did not name Whitaker.
Former FBI chief Robert Mueller and his team have been investigating Russia’s influence on the 2016 US presidential election and a possible involvement of Donald Trump’s election campaigner since May 2017. Mueller has since indicted several people in Trump’s environment, it is about allegations such as perjury, legal disability and tax fraud. Six have since pleaded guilty and cooperate with Mueller.
Most recently, charges were brought against Trump’s long-time advisor Roger Stone: Mueller accuses him of lying to the US Congress in order to cover up his involvement in the Russian affair.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the investigation and called „witch hunt“. The US President denies any illegal agreements with Russia. Whitaker had also been critical of Mueller’s investigation in the past.
Michael Cohen will testify on 8th February
Brisk details about the Russian affair are expected from Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen. He initially wanted to publicly testify before the US Congress, but withdrew the commitment then, with reference to security concerns back. Cohen then received a binding subpoena, and the deadline has now been fixed: Cohen will testify before the Intelligence Committee on 8 February, chairman Adam Schiff said. The hearing will therefore not be public.
Cohen was a close confidant of Trump for more than a decade. Meanwhile, the two have fallen over – and Cohen cooperates with Mueller. In December, a federal court in New York sentenced Cohen to three years‘ imprisonment, including for tax evasion and false statements before Congress. He admitted that he lied to Congress during Russia’s investigations into a planned Trump construction project in Moscow. He should take his prison sentence on 6 March.
