اردو
  • Grand jury extended in US special counsel's Trump-Russia probe

    US Special Counsel Robert Mueller File Photo US Special Counsel Robert Mueller

    The term of the grand jury being used by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of possible collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign has been extended, an aide to the judge overseeing.

    The extension is a sign that Mueller is not done presenting evidence before the grand jury in his investigation of US allegations of Russian interference in the election and any possible coordination between Moscow and Trump’s campaign.

    The grand jury was empanelled by the US District Court in Washington in July 2017 for an 18-month term, the limit under federal rules.

    The term can be extended if the court determines it to be in the public interest to do so.

    “The Chief Judge has confirmed that the term of Grand Jury 17-01 has been extended,” Lisa Klem, special assistant to Chief Judge Beryl Howell said in a statement.

    Howell did not confirm any length of the extension, Klem said.

    A spokesperson for Mueller declined to comment.

    A number of Trump’s allies, including his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, have repeatedly called on Mueller to wrap up his investigation.

    Trump has called the investigation a “witch hunt” and has denied collusion with Moscow.

    Russia has denied meddling in the election, contrary to the conclusion of US intelligence agencies that have said Moscow used hacking and propaganda to try to sow discord in the United States and boost Republican Trump’s chances against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

    Mueller’s investigation and other inquiries have clouded Trump’s two years in office.

    Mueller has secured more than 30 indictments and guilty pleas and has spawned at least four federal probes.