According to a report, u.s. republicans have demanded information about a dicredited man whose claims formed the basis of an enquiry into the u.s. president. Reportedly, Alexander Smirnov was charged with giving false statements following a claim that ukrainian oil company, Burisma paid bribes to Hunter Biden and his father. According to the report, in a letter to the fbi director, the chairs of the house, judiciary and oversight committees asked for documents showing how federal agents vetted the information and how much they paid him. Reportedly, the fbi have represented to congress that the confidential human source was credible and known to them for 14 years.
According to the report, republicans who are leading the impeachment enquiry asked for documents relating to the fbi enquiry into the the bribery allegations. Reportedly, the fbi have until March 15 to provide documents concerning any fbi wrongdoing or inaccurate reporting on Mr Smirnov. According to the report, the fbi initially rejected lawmakers’ requests to show documents relating to the claim, arguing it would reveal their confidential source.
Reportedly, Mr Smirnov who was indicted on charges of making a false statement has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in prison. According to the report, prosecutors have asked that he be held without bail, the justification being alleged extensive contacts with russian intelligence agencies.