(FixThisNation.com) – On Tuesday, the Department of Justice in a court filing argued that former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov who was arrested last week for lying to the FBI has contacts in Russia’s intelligence.
In the filing, the government expressed its support for Smirnov’s arrest and continued detention with the DOJ claiming that he is a flight risk. As the prosecutors noted Smirnov, who is an Israeli citizen, could just drive to the Los Angeles consulate and get a new passport that would allow him to exit the country “at any time.”
In a statement before the hearing defense attorneys were asking that Smirnov be released ahead of the trial. As they argued this would give the 43-year-old the necessary resources to fight against the government’s charges.
Smirnov is facing charges for having lied to law enforcement, as well as for evidence fabrication. Both of the charges against him are felonies. The federal government has argued that Smirnov has fabricated the information and evidence regarding the alleged bribery scheme involving Hunter Biden, his father President Joe Biden, and Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company.
In the filing, the prosecutors on special counsel David Weiss’ team claimed that Smirnov has access to more than “$6 million in liquid funds” and that using his contacts in Russia he would be able to leave the United States and resettle abroad.
Smirnov is set to appear in court on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Ahead of his trial, he is being helped at a facility in Pahrump which is one hour away from Las Vegas. He was arrested last week upon arrival at the airport from overseas.
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