There’s a common mistake circulating in coverage of the Alexander Smirnov case, exemplified by a recent instance and echoed by Democratic claims in Congress. The error lies in asserting that prosecutors have stated Smirnov’s false claims from 2020 originated from Russian intelligence.
In reality, prosecutors mentioned that Smirnov attributed claims made in a September 2023 FBI interview to Russian spies. Specifically, Smirnov alleged that Russian officials told him about recordings of Hunter Biden in a Kyiv hotel, suggesting the entire hotel was under Russian control.
It’s important to note that there is skepticism regarding the credibility of Smirnov’s claims. The notion that Russian spies provided this information raises doubts since Hunter Biden has never been to Kyiv, let alone the mentioned hotel.
It’s plausible that Smirnov fabricated the story to appear valid to the FBI after realizing they caught him lying during the September interview. Smirnov may have sought to protect himself as a confidential informant by inventing something valuable.
Evidence suggests Smirnov retroactively created a reporting trail to cover his initial claim during the FBI interview. This discrepancy raises questions about the authenticity of his assertions.
Court filings haven’t attributed Smirnov’s false claim in 2020 to Russian intelligence. Smirnov’s ties to Russian officials post-date 2020, while his connections in 2020 are primarily linked to individuals like Viktor Shokin.
Understanding how authorities became aware of Smirnov’s actions, mainly Scott Brady’s involvement is crucial for a comprehensive investigation. This aspect merits attention, considering the potential reluctance among prosecutors to investigate further.
