Bomb Threats Reported in Key Swing States During US Election
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World
November 6, 2024 04:10
washington - Authorities in the United States received bomb threats at polling stations in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia, all important swing states in the presidential election.
The three states mentioned by the official are crucial swing states that candidates aim to win in order to secure the presidency. In Georgia, around ten polling stations remain open for a longer period due to disruptions earlier in the day, according to CNN. Similarly, in Pennsylvania, Alabama, and North Carolina, a few polling stations also remained open longer due to minor election process errors, including computer problems and misprinted ballots.
The FBI has revealed that the threats in Georgia originated from Russian email addresses.
The Russian embassy in Washington, via state media RIA Novosti, dismissed accusations of Russian interference in the US presidential elections as 'malicious slander.' 'All insinuations about 'Russian machinations' are malicious slander, fabricated for domestic political infighting in the United States,' the embassy said in a statement.
The FBI issued warnings about the dissemination of fake statements and videos purportedly from the agency, falsely claiming imminent violent incidents and issues with voting machines. The FBI did not disclose potential suspects behind this disinformation campaign.
The FBI highlighted three instances of the unauthorized use of its name and logo to spread misinformation. One involved a written statement urging individuals and media outlets not to report on violence at polling stations to prevent escalation of attacks. The other instances were videos, one suggesting schools remain closed due to increased risk of election-related shootings, and the other falsely claiming the FBI received 9000 reports of voting machine malfunctions.
'Attempts to deceive people with disinformation regarding threat assessments and FBI activities are aimed at undermining our democratic process and eroding trust in the electoral system,' the federal agency stated in a press release.