A judge has ordered former FBI informant Alexander Smirnoff to remain behind bars while awaiting trial. Smirnoff is accused of lying to investigators about the Biden family's business dealings, specifically claiming that Burisma executives in Ukraine hired Hunter Biden to gain protection from an investigation by then-Vice President Joe Biden, allegedly involving a $5 million payment to each. The Department of Justice (DOJ) refuted these claims, stating that Smirnoff fabricated the story.
During the court appearance, Smirnoff, appearing disheveled with an eye condition, was polite and compliant. His lawyers argued for his release, proposing private security and GPS tracking, but the judge denied the request citing concerns about Smirnoff being a flight risk. The DOJ highlighted Smirnoff's history of lying, including recent false claims about Russian hacking and his connections to foreign intelligence, particularly the Russians.
The DOJ also raised alarm about Smirnoff's access to firearms, including an assault rifle, and substantial financial resources, disputing his claims about his financial situation. Despite surrendering his passports, concerns about obtaining a new Israeli passport as a dual citizen were raised. The judge ultimately remanded Smirnoff in custody pending trial, rejecting the defense's plea for his release to assist in his case preparation.
In other news, an active duty U.S. Airman, Aaron Bushnell, set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, expressing opposition to genocide and shouting 'free Palestine' before succumbing to his injuries in the hospital. Additionally, the husband of missing American woman Ana Nezevich Einow denied involvement in her disappearance, asserting he was not in Spain when she vanished and had been separated from her for months. He cooperated with Spanish police and the FBI in the investigation.
