Washington warns US citizen in Moscow of potential 60-year prison sentence
Dimitri Simes faces allegations of dodging sanctions through his role as a host on a show aired on Russia’s Channel One. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Federal authorities have indicted Dimitri Simes and his wife Anastasia on charges including conspiracy, money laundering, and violating U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Dimitri Simes, who was the leader of the Center for the National Interest in Washington from 1994 until 2022, relocated to Moscow after resigning. He currently hosts a political show on Channel 1 called ‘The Great Game.’
The indictment, revealed on Thursday, accuses the couple of breaching the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and laundering the proceeds. They could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge if found guilty.
According to the charges, Dimitri Simes received substantial benefits for his role at Channel 1, which include "over $1 million, a personal car and driver, a stipend for an apartment in Moscow, Russia, and a team of 10 employees." The U.S. sanctioned the network in May 2022 for its connections to the Russian government.
The Department of Justice noted, “Dimitri and Anastasia Simes maintain a home in Huntly, Virginia. They remain at large and are believed to be in Russia.”
In the same vein, a separate indictment accuses Anastasia Simes, 55, of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions through art purchases for Aleksandr Udodov, an oligarch sanctioned in February 2023.
An FBI operation at the Simes' Virginia home occurred two weeks ago, during which agents reportedly confiscated artwork.
Addressing these developments, Dimitri Simes stated last month, “an attempt to intimidate” him and others critical of U.S. government policies and the Washington "deep state." He expressed concern over actions aimed at preventing his return to the U.S. and impeding Russian-American dialogue.
These indictments follow claims by the U.S. government that Russian media, including RT, are trying to destabilize confidence in U.S. electoral processes in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election. The impact of U.S. sanctions also compelled former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, whose home was searched by the FBI, to sever ties with RT and Sputnik.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Dimitri Simes, who was the leader of the Center for the National Interest in Washington from 1994 until 2022, relocated to Moscow after resigning. He currently hosts a political show on Channel 1 called ‘The Great Game.’
The indictment, revealed on Thursday, accuses the couple of breaching the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and laundering the proceeds. They could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge if found guilty.
According to the charges, Dimitri Simes received substantial benefits for his role at Channel 1, which include "over $1 million, a personal car and driver, a stipend for an apartment in Moscow, Russia, and a team of 10 employees." The U.S. sanctioned the network in May 2022 for its connections to the Russian government.
The Department of Justice noted, “Dimitri and Anastasia Simes maintain a home in Huntly, Virginia. They remain at large and are believed to be in Russia.”
In the same vein, a separate indictment accuses Anastasia Simes, 55, of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions through art purchases for Aleksandr Udodov, an oligarch sanctioned in February 2023.
An FBI operation at the Simes' Virginia home occurred two weeks ago, during which agents reportedly confiscated artwork.
Addressing these developments, Dimitri Simes stated last month, “an attempt to intimidate” him and others critical of U.S. government policies and the Washington "deep state." He expressed concern over actions aimed at preventing his return to the U.S. and impeding Russian-American dialogue.
These indictments follow claims by the U.S. government that Russian media, including RT, are trying to destabilize confidence in U.S. electoral processes in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election. The impact of U.S. sanctions also compelled former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, whose home was searched by the FBI, to sever ties with RT and Sputnik.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
