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Hoax bomb threats originated from Russian email domains in US battleground states: FBI

The FBI noted that Georgia alone had over two dozen threats, with most focused on Fulton County.

US intelligence highlighted Russian efforts to spread misinformation, including fabricated videos falsely depicting election fraud. (Reuters)

The FBI reported that several polling places in key US battleground states, including Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin, faced hoax bomb threats on Election Day, many appearing to originate from Russian email domains. The bureau confirmed that none of the threats have been credible, but emphasised that election integrity remains a top priority.

Two polling sites in Georgia’s Fulton County were evacuated briefly before reopening, and officials are seeking a court order to extend voting hours at these locations beyond the state’s 7 p.m. deadline.

Also read | Fake bomb threats linked to Russia briefly close Georgia polling locations

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger pointed to Russian interference, saying, “They’re up to mischief… if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory”, according to a report by Reuters.

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Arizona’s Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who received four similar threats in Navajo County, expressed frustration, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin in blunt terms. Wisconsin election officials also reported two hoax threats at polling sites in Madison, though voting remained undisturbed.

Also read | US elections results: What Trump 2.0 could mean for US-India trade

The FBI noted that Georgia alone had over two dozen threats, with most focused on Fulton County. An anonymous senior official from Raffensperger’s office said that the email addresses used were similar to those from previous Russian interference campaigns.

This is the latest in a series of alleged Russian actions in the 2024 election. Earlier in November, the US intelligence highlighted Russian efforts to spread misinformation, including fabricated videos falsely depicting election fraud.

(with inputs from Reuters)

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