Alexander Smirnov, the ex-FBI informant facing charges of lying about President Joe Biden’s family and their alleged dealings in Ukraine, was re-arrested in Nevada. This development follows his initial release by Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts on Tuesday, who imposed conditions such as GPS monitoring and the surrender of passports.
Despite prosecutors’ efforts to keep him behind bars, Judge Albregts allowed Smirnov’s release. However, Smirnov’s defense lawyers now assert that he was re-arrested on Thursday, facing the same charges, under a new warrant signed by federal district Judge Otis Wright, who will oversee the case in California.
In a court filing, Smirnov’s lawyers stated, “Despite Judge Albregts’s prior ruling, denial of the stay request, and Mr. Smirnov’s prior release from custody, on the morning of February 22, 2024, Mr. Smirnov was arrested for a second time – on the same charges and based on the same indictment set forth … while at the undersigned counsel’s law office for meetings with counsel.”
This unprecedented move necessitates Smirnov to argue for his release once again. Prosecutors, who had previously expressed concerns about Smirnov’s ties to foreign intelligence officials and access to substantial cash, have already sought a rehearing in front of the California judge.
Special counsel David Weiss, overseeing the case, confirmed Smirnov’s re-arrest. Prosecutors allege that Smirnov misled his FBI handler for over a decade and question his credibility. They argue that Smirnov, with extensive contacts in Russia, falsely claimed access to over $6 million, raising concerns about his potential flight.
Smirnov has yet to enter a plea, and his defense maintains he has complied with release conditions. In response to prosecutors’ rehearing request, his lawyers criticized the lack of mention of the second arrest warrant and called for an emergency hearing in front of the chief judge of the district of Nevada. The content of sealed documents filed by prosecutors in California remains unknown at this time.
