18 July 2018•Update: 18 July 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The special counsel investigation into Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential race and possible Trump campaign collusion is seeking immunity for five witnesses in the case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
The individuals are not identified in the special counsel's court filings. They are described as "third parties who have not been charged in this matter, and who have not been identified publicly with the case".
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team said publicly identifying the individuals "would reveal those individuals’ involvement in the investigation and the trial, thereby creating the risk of their undue harassment".
All five have invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, according to the four-page document.
"The named individuals will not testify or provide other information on the basis of their privilege against self-incrimination, and that the government is requesting that the Court compel them to testify at the upcoming trial," prosecutors wrote.
The special counsel's office declined when contacted by Anadolu Agency.
Manafort is facing charges in two separate cases.
The first case, which centers on charges of tax evasion and bank fraud, is scheduled to begin next week in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside of the nation's capital.
A separate case on money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent will begin in Washington in September.
Manafort is currently being held in Alexandria ahead of next week's case. He was jailed after prosecutors accused him of seeking to tamper witness testimony.
