Former Trump campaign manager Manafort, protégé Rick Gates surrender in Russia probe

US President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his erstwhile business partner Rick Gates have been indicted in the probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 US elections.

Manafort and Gates surrendered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation while Gates has been asked to turn himself in. A federal jury approved the indictments on Friday and a federal judge ordered them sealed, said reports. They have been charged on 12 counts.

Manafort and Gates kept delegates at the Republican National Convention in line last year as the possibility emerged of a contentious floor fight over the presidential nomination. Manafort has been under investigation for federal tax violations, money laundering and for making false statements, the New York Times reported.

The Russia investigation has remained a shadow over Trump’s presidency. American intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia interfered in the election to try to help Trump defeat Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton by hacking and releasing embarrassing emails and using social media to damage her chances.

Trump has consistently denied all allegations.