United States: Department of Justice Drops Charges Against General Flynn

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The U.S. Department of Justice is dropping the charges against Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump.

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With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

Michael Flynn was briefly the national security adviser. He had been dismissed by Donald Trump after the prosecutions brought against him, for having lied about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington, before the taking office of the American president. It was the start of the "Russian affair" and the sprawling investigation by prosecutor Mueller. General Flynn had agreed to plead guilty in 2017 before changing his strategy and requesting the cancellation of the procedure.

The FBI investigation against General Flynn was unjustified and had no legal basis, the Justice Department finally ruled. The former national security adviser admitted that he lied to the federal police about his exchanges with the Russian ambassador during the transition period, but "  even if they were false, his statements did not matter  ", Estimates the Department of Justice.

The American president, who always believed that the general had been the victim of "rotten police" in his own words, welcomed the news.

"  He's an innocent man, he's a very good man, he was targeted by the Obama administration in an attempt to reach the president ," said Donald Trump . And what they did is a shame. There has never been anything like it in the history of our country. And I hope a lot of people will have to pay because it's a bunch of dishonest crooks. Scum, I say it loud and clear: scum. And it was a plot, a set-up. And I think the general is a hero  . "

The Justice Department's decision was immediately criticized by the opposition. "  The withdrawal of the charges" does not whiten " Michael Flynn, but incriminates the head of the Justice Department. This ministry has never been so politicized,  ”said Adam Schiff, the Democrat who chairs the Intelligence Committee of the House of Representatives.

► Read also: Michael Flynn, Donald Trump's bail become his ball

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• United States
• Donald trump
• Justice

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