The US State Department believes that the “troll factory” owned by Prigozhin influenced the outcome of the US presidential election in 2016
The US State Department has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information about how the Internet Research Agency LLC, owned by a Russian businessman , restaurateur Yevgeny Prigozhin, influenced the course and outcome of the elections in the USA. This is stated on the website of the State Department.
There, in the “Reward for justice” section, detailed information about the case is provided. In particular, some companies and names of people wanted by the US are named. It is about Internet Research Agency LLC (“IRA”), Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin and Russian organizations and accomplices connected with him.
“They knowingly and intentionally entered into a conspiracy to harm the United States by disrupting, obstructing and destroying the legitimate functions of the state through fraud and deception in order to interfere in the political and electoral processes in the United States, including the 2016 presidential election,” the message reads.
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It also says that back in 2014, the “IRA” began operations to interfere in the US political system, including presidential elections in the US in 2016, with the strategic goal of sowing discord. She worked through several Russian companies, including Internet Research LLC, MediaSyntez LLC, GolovMerezha LLC, MixInfo LLC, Azimut LLC, and NovInfo LLC.
In September 2013, the mass media became aware of the existence of the Internet Research Agency, which is called a “troll factory”, “Prigozhyn trolls”, “Olgin trolls”, “Kremlebots”.
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Evgeny Prigozhin is a Russian businessman, restaurateur, owner of a catering business. Prigozhin's company was engaged in the organization of meals for high-ranking state officials in Russia, thanks to which he received the nickname “Putin's cook” in the media. He also owns the “Wagner” PPC, whose militants fight in Ukraine and are actually mercenaries and terrorists.
Prygozhin's fortune is estimated at 14.6 billion rubles.
Russia is looking for “Wagner Group” fighters in the countries of Africa, the Middle East and even in the former Soviet republics, in particular Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. For more information on how Russia is strengthening its influence in Africa and promoting its own agenda in international relations, read Ivan Belenko's article “Kremlin sent PMC Wagner on a “tour” to Africa”.
