The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about foreign nationals who are “engaging in interference in U.S. elections” as well as tips leading to “the prevention, frustration, or favorable resolution” of attempted foreign election meddling.
The offer was made by the Department’s Rewards for Justice program and singles out Rybar LLC, a Russian media organization that it states is seeking to “encourage hate and violence in the United States” ahead of the 2024 presidential election on November 5.
Alleged Russian election interference became a major issue in American politics following the 2016 presidential election. A declassified intelligence assessment from the CIA, FBI and NSA said this was likely ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Kremlin showing “a clear preference for President-elect Trump.” A major investigation conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller “did not establish” that the Trump campaign actively collaborated with the Russian state’s effort to influence the 2016 contest.
The Rewards for Justice website states the offer of up to $10 million is for “information leading to the identification or location of any foreign person, including a foreign entity, who knowingly engaged or is engaging in interference in U.S. elections, as well as information leading to the prevention, frustration, or favorable resolution of an act of foreign election interference.”
It states that Rybar, which it alleges is funded by Russian defense company Rostec, is seeking “to sow discord, promote social division, stoke partisan and racial discord, and encourage hate and violence in the United States.”
Newsweek contacted Rostec and the Department of State for comment, via email and online press inquiry form respectively, on Saturday outside of regular business hours.
NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/GETTY
According to Rewards for Justice, Rybar was founded by Russian businessman
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