US Presidential Elections: Hoax Bomb Threats in Battleground States Linked to Russia, Says FBI

Washington: The FBI reported that bomb threats received at various polling locations in Georgia on Election Day appear to be linked to Russian email domains, raising concerns over foreign interference as voting continued.

“Hoax bomb threats, many of which appeared to originate from Russian email domains, were directed on Tuesday at polling locations in four battleground states - Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Wisconsin - as Election Day voting was underway,” FBI said.

In Georgia, at least two polling sites in Fulton County were briefly evacuated due to the threats. Both locations reopened after about 30 minutes, and officials are now seeking a court order to extend voting hours past the 7 p.m. deadline to make up for the disruption.

Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, blamed Russia for trying to disrupt the election process. "They’re up to mischief, it seems. They don’t want us to have a smooth, fair, and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory," Raffensperger said.

Russia Denies Claims 

The Russian embassy in Washington dismissed the accusations, calling them “malicious slander.” "Russia has not interfered and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including the United States," the embassy stated, adding that President Vladimir Putin respects the American people’s choices.

(With Inputs from Reuters)