emptywheel

Mikhailov arrested, a number of others killed suspiciously.

Yes. Mikhailov may be related -- or may not be (also possible our spies got burned via some other means). The one who died in suspicious circumstances Luke Harding has said was NOT related to dossier.

Yes, I cant directly say that the deaths and arrests were directly related to the 2016 election, but it’d be a hell of a coincidence if it wasn’t.

Why? Putin has been killing opponents for a while. And sometimes people just die.

Not just killings but arrests of fsb personnel and foreign ministry staff all after the election.

FSB may be related. Or may not be. Some killings may be related. But thus far there's no actually evidence, just assumptions.

There are multiple other public explanations for that. Plus, we're prosecuting one of these guys for stuff closely related to the hack.

9 people I can remember who are suspiciously dead plus two dragged off with black bags over their heads.

And all but one of those 9 has no discernible relation to any person involved in the election. And Luke Harding reported the 9th had no tie to the dossier.

AND for MONTHS there have been other explanations for the treason case, having a lot more to do with a rival hack and leak run out of Ukraine.

I would bet the two guys dragged off with black bags over their heads had leaked to Christopher Steel.

Then why are they indicted in the US for stuff related to the hack?

(one is indicted, one is named prominently in same indictment)

You mean aside from the obvious answer: because the DOJ feels they have sufficient evidence to prosecute these Russian citizens for violating American law (Computer Fraud & Abuse Act, i.e. hacking)?

Allegedly our sources, that's what you're saying? We're prosecuting our sources for CFAA?

Incorrect @emptywheel. Clint Watts testified before Congress. Video link where he stated "..follow the trail of dead Russians". https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4664799/clint-watts-follow-trail-dead-russians …