Florida political group defends its ties with Russia after FBI alleges they teamed up with Kremlin agents in a 'brazen' attempt to interfere with US elections

• A Florida political group defended its ties with Russia on Friday after an FBI investigation.

• The FBI alleged that Kremlin agents worked with the socialist group in an attempt to influence US elections.

• Prosecutors allege the 'brazen' conspiracy was years in the making and spanned multiple political groups.

A Florida socialist political group defended its relationship with Russia after the FBI alleged Kremlin agents teamed up with the organization in a "brazen" attempt to undermine US elections.

Federal agents on Friday raided St. Petersburg's Uhuru House — the headquarters of the socialist pan-African political organization — in connection with the alleged election interference conspiracy, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

"We can have relationships with whoever want to make this revolution possible," Uhuru Movement leader Eritha Cainion said at a news conference, the Times reported. "We are in support of Russia."

Prosecutors allege Moscow resident Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov worked for years with agents of the Kremlin's Federal Security Service (FSB) to use multiple US political groups as a way to spread pro-Russian propaganda, sow discord, and interfere in US elections, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said in the statement that Ionov tried to allegedly orchestrate a "brazen influence campaign, turning US political groups and US citizens into instruments of the Russian government."

Court documents refer one of the groups, from St. Petersburg, Florida, as "U.S. Political Group 1" — though it did not specify a name. However, St. Petersburg Police later confirmed to the Times that it was the Uhuru House raised by federal agents.

The criminal complaint also refers to an online petition calling for countries to declare the US was committing "genocide" against Black people. The petition, which is still live and garnered over 110,000 signatures, says it was started by the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement.

A St. Petersburg Police spokesperson confirmed to Insider that the FBI executed a search warrant, but did not specify where. The FBI did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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