The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday withdrew the charges against a former Donald Trump adviser, Michael Flynn, who was prosecuted for lying about his contacts with a Russian diplomat. The ministry said the investigation against the 61-year-old former general had no "legitimate basis" and that his statements "even if they were false were unimportant," according to court documents.
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After participating in Donald Trump's campaign, Michael Flynn had confidential discussions with the Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergei Kisliak, between the election of the republican billionaire and his entry into the White House.
Having become a national security adviser, he was interrogated on January 24, 2017 by the federal police as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election, but he had concealed these contacts. He quickly had to resign for also lying to Vice President Mike Pence.
Political manipulation
Michael Flynn agreed in 2017 to plead guilty to perjury and to cooperate with the law. But he had changed lawyers last year and defense strategy and asked since the cancellation of the procedure, presenting himself as a victim of political manipulation.
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Last week, Donald Trump, who always compared the Russian investigation to a "witch hunt" intended to harm him, had supported Michael Flynn, deeming him the victim of "rotten cops".