Trial Starts for Four Accused of Aiding Russia in U.S. Political Division

Tampa, Fla. — The trial commenced in Florida on Tuesday involving four activists accused of functioning illegally as agents for Russia, with intentions to engineer political discord and meddle in U.S. elections.

These individuals are associated with the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement, which has its bases in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis. Among the defendants is Omali Yeshitela, the 82-year-old chairman of the U.S.-based organization that focuses on Black empowerment and advocacy for reparations related to slavery and other historical injustices against African people.

In the opening statement, Yeshitela’s attorney, Ade Griffin, claimed that while the group shared several goals with a Russian organization known as the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, they were not under the control of the Russian government.

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

Charges against Yeshitela and two others involve conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and failure to register as foreign agents with the Justice Department. The fourth defendant, who later established a different group named Black Hammer in Atlanta, faces only the conspiracy charge. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors have also charged three Russians in this case, two of whom they allege are Russian intelligence officers, although these individuals have not yet been apprehended.

While claims of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election may resonate in this context, U.S. District Judge William Jung emphasized that such matters are not part of this trial. “This trial will not address Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election,” he stated in a ruling issued on Monday.

During his opening remarks, Justice Department attorney Menno Goedman informed the jury that the group operated under Russian directives, organizing protests in 2016 alleging that Black individuals were victims of genocide in the U.S. and taking subsequent actions benefiting Russia for the next six years, such as opposing U.S. policy in the Ukraine conflict.

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

One allegation involves their support for a candidate for the St. Petersburg City Council in 2019, whom the Russians claimed to “supervise.” This candidate lost the election and has not faced any charges in relation to this case.

Much of the alleged collaboration centered around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In March 2022, Yeshitela held a news conference advocating for “unity with Russia in its defensive war in Ukraine against the world colonial powers.” He further called for the independence of the Russian-occupied Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

Defense attorneys contended that despite the group’s connections to the Russian entity, the actions taken by the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement were consistent with their advocacy for over five decades. Yeshitela established the organization in 1972 as a group focused on Black empowerment and opposition to colonial remnants worldwide.

“They shared some common beliefs,” said attorney Leonard Goodman, who represents defendant Penny Hess. “That makes them threatening.”

If convicted of conspiracy and failing to register as a foreign agent, Yeshitela, Hess, and fellow defendant Jesse Nevel could face up to 15 years in prison. The fourth defendant, Augustus Romain, risks a maximum of five years should he be convicted of the registration charge.

The trial is anticipated to continue for up to four weeks.