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The Biden administration has announced sanctions against Russian entities accused of creating a fabricated video spreading false sexual assault allegations about Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, as reported by the New York Post.
Walz, who also serves as the governor of Minnesota, was the subject of allegations in October, purportedly made by a former student who accused him of inappropriate behaviour during his time as a teacher.However, the claims were quickly debunked when the actual former student identified in the allegations came forward, exposing the video as an AI-generated fake.
The US Treasury Department revealed that it is imposing sanctions on the Moscow-based Centre for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE) and its director, Valery Mikhaylovich Korovin. These sanctions, part of broader efforts to counter disinformation, will freeze any assets under US jurisdiction and aim to disrupt their operations.
“CGE manipulated a video it used to produce baseless accusations concerning a 2024 vice presidential candidate in an effort to sow discord amongst the US electorate,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.
The announcement further detailed CGE’s links to Russia’s GRU intelligence agency, which allegedly funded the group’s operations. These include maintaining AI servers, hosting a network of over 100 disinformation websites, and covering costs for the apartment housing the servers.
The sanctions extend beyond Russia. The administration also targeted Iran’s Cognitive Design Production Centre, accusing the group of conducting “influence operations designed to incite socio-political tensions among the US electorate in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.”
In a separate move, the US imposed sanctions on Russian judge Olesya Mendeleeva for her role in the detention of Moscow city councillor Alexei Gorinov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin.
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