Former FBI special investigator Robert Mueller has defended his investigations into the Russia affair and the criminal prosecution of Trump confidant Roger Stone, who has now been released from prison. He felt compelled to respond to allegations that the investigation was unlawful and that Stone was a victim of his office, Mueller wrote in a Washington Post guest post (Saturday edition).
US President Donald Trump had sentenced his confidant Stone, who had been convicted of the Russian affair, to prison a few days before his due date on Friday.
“Stone was prosecuted and convicted of committing federal crimes. He remains a convicted criminal, and rightly so, ”wrote Mueller. The former FBI chief said this was the first time since a hearing before the US Congress in July 2019 about the investigation. This was „of the greatest importance“ because Russia’s actions had threatened democracy in the United States.
„Acted with the highest integrity“
Every decision in Stone’s case was made solely on the basis of facts. “The men and women responsible for this investigation and law enforcement have acted with the utmost integrity. Contrary claims are wrong, ”said Mueller.
Mueller had investigated allegations of illegal relationships between the Trump campaign team – which Stone also worked with – and representatives of Russia. In the investigation that was completed in the spring of last year, Mueller found no evidence that there had been secret agreements between the Trump campaign team and representatives of Russia before the 2016 election.
In his report, Mueller did not rule out Trump’s interference with the judicial investigation. Stone was sentenced to more than three years‘ imprisonment in February for crimes related to the affair.
