The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports that false bomb threats were sent to polling stations in four key US states during the vote. Many of them were apparently sent from Russian e-mail domains, it was noted.
Hoax bomb threats directed at polling stations were reported in four states that were crucial to the election results USAand many of them were apparently sent from Russian email domains, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported.
Such threats have been made in Georgia, Michigan, Arizona and Wisconsin, which are among the “swing” states where voters do not clearly lean toward any candidate.
“None of these threats have been confirmed as credible to date,” the FBI said in a statement. It also assured that election integrity is one of its highest priorities.
Georgia polling place PAP/EPA
Disrupted operation of polling stations
At least two polling places in Georgia were evacuated due to bomb scares and reopened after about 30 minutes, Reuters reported. According to CNN, 15 polling places in the state extended voting hours, 12 of them due to interruptions related to threats.
The secretary of state there, Republican Brad Raffensperger, made the accusation Russia about attempts to influence the elections. – It looks like they're up to something evil. They don't want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can consider it a victory, he told reporters.
The Russian embassy in Washington denied the allegations and described them as “malicious slander,” Reuters reported.
In Wisconsin, false bomb threats were sent to two polling stations in the state capital, Madison, but they did not disrupt voting, said Jocelyn Benson, a spokesman for Secretary of State there. He added that her office received information that the threats may be related to Russia.
An FBI representative said there were more than 20 alerts in Georgia, with the largest number in Fulton County. Police said threats were made to seven locations in DeKalb County, including five polling places. An official in Raffensperger's office said the alerts were sent from email addresses used by Russians in attempts to interfere in previous elections.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA