Florida Trial Opens for Activists Accused of Aiding Russia’s Division Efforts

TAMPA, Fla. — A trial commenced on Tuesday in Florida for four individuals linked to alleged activities as Russian agents, aimed at promoting political discord and interference in U.S. elections.

These activists are connected to the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement, organizations with locations in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis. Among the defendants is Omali Yeshitela, the 82-year-old chairman of this U.S.-based group, which promotes Black empowerment and advocates for reparations stemming from slavery and perceived historical injustices against Africans.

During the opening statement, Yeshitela’s attorney, Ade Griffin, emphasized that the group shared common interests with a Russian entity known as the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, but maintained that they were not operating under the influence of the Russian government.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that simply is not true,” Griffin asserted to a diverse jury. “This is a case about censorship.”

Yeshitela and two other co-defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and failing to register with the Justice Department as agents for a foreign government. A fourth defendant, who later created a separate group known as Black Hammer in Atlanta, faces only the conspiracy charge. All four individuals have pleaded not guilty.

Additionally, three Russian nationals are implicated in the case, with two of them identified by prosecutors as Russian intelligence agents; however, they have not yet been detained.

While the trial draws upon elements reminiscent of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, U.S. District Judge William Jung clarified that this case does not cover those issues.

“This trial will focus solely on the allegations at hand and will not delve into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election,” Judge Jung declared in a ruling on Monday.

Justice Department attorney Menno Goedman, in his opening arguments, indicated that the activists acted on Russian directives to stage protests in 2016, proclaiming that Black people in the United States were the victims of genocide. Goedman claimed the defendants engaged in actions over the past six years that aimed to benefit Russia, including opposing American policies regarding the Ukraine conflict.

“This is about dividing Americans, dividing communities, turning neighbor against neighbor,” Goedman told the jury. “The defendants acted at the direction of the Russian government to sow division right here in the U.S.”

Among the allegations is that the group backed a St. Petersburg City Council candidate in 2019, whom the Russians purportedly sought to “supervise.” This candidate lost the election and has not been charged in relation to this case.

Much of the alleged collaboration included support for Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. In March 2022, Yeshitela held a press conference in which he voiced the African People’s Socialist Party’s position in favor of unity with Russia, asserting that it was engaged in a defensive war in Ukraine against global colonial forces. He also advocated for the independence of the Russian-occupied Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

Defense attorneys contend that despite any affiliations with the Russian organization, the actions of the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement reflect the principles they have championed for over 50 years. Yeshitela established the organization in 1972 to promote Black empowerment and oppose remnants of colonialism globally.

“They shared some common beliefs,” remarked Leonard Goodman, representing defendant Penny Hess. “That makes them threatening.”

If convicted of conspiracy and failing to register as foreign agents, Yeshitela, Hess, and fellow defendant Jesse Nevel could face up to 15 years in prison. The fourth defendant, Augustus Romain, could potentially receive a maximum sentence of five years on the registration charge.

The trial is projected to last up to four weeks.