Alexander Smirnov has been released on bond in Nevada.

[kpete]

The former FBI informant charged with fabricating claims about a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden, his son Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company has "extensive" contacts with Russian intelligence agencies, according to the Justice Department.

Federal prosecutors also say in a new court filing that Alexander Smirnov admitted to authorities after he was arrested that "officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story" about President Biden's son, Hunter Biden.

Smirnov, a longtime FBI informant, was arrested last week and charged with making false statements and creating a false and fictitious record.

He appeared in federal court in Nevada on Tuesday for his detention hearing. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts heard arguments from both sides, and then ordered that Smirnov be released on a personal recognizance bond.

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/20/1232789953/alexander-smirnov-fbi-informant-biden-hunter-ukraine#:~:text=He%20appeared%20in%20federal%20court,on%20a%20personal%20recognizance%20bond

[MOMFUDSKI]

1. What is the judge thinking here?

Russian asset roaming free.

[comradebillyboy]

2. Smirnov is an Israeli citizen. He can drop by the nearest Israeli

consulate and get a new passport. He won't be here when his next court date rolls around.

[senseandsensibility]

3. And why is he allowed to hide his face?

No mugshot available to show?

[pwb]

4. They are watching to see his moves?

Not everything is wrong because we think it is.