"Judge Considers Detention for FBI Informant Alexander Smirnov Amid Russian Influence Allegations"
A federal judge in California has ordered former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov to appear in court as the judge considers keeping him detained pending trial for allegedly lying about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Special counsel David Weiss is seeking to have Smirnov held until trial, citing concerns about his potential to flee the country or obstruct justice. Smirnov's attorneys are advocating for his release, disputing the judge's characterization of their efforts as facilitating his absconding from the United States. The case has seen a series of dramatic events, including Smirnov's arrest, allegations of high-level contacts with Russian intelligence officials, and a back-and-forth over his detention status.