US indicts seven Russian agents accused in doping scandal cyber attack

The FBI today said it has indicted seven Russian military intelligence (GRU) agents on allegations of conspiring to hack into computer equipment and steal information from a range of global sporting agencies, after Russia was condemned over a state-sponsored doping scheme.

The charges, which include wire fraud and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and money laundering, come just hours after UK and Dutch authorities put the GRU behind a number of cyber attacks related to the Skripal poisoning.

The US agency said the seven men had targeted firms such as Fifa, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the latter of which was also included in the British and Dutch investigations.

Read more: UK warns of further sanctions on Russia after cyber attacks

Three of the GRU officials had been previously charged earlier this year for their alleged involvement in the 2016 hack of the US presidential election.

US defence secretary Jim Mattis said he agreed with British and Dutch authorities, and said Russia must be held accountable for its actions.

The US Justice Department later added the indicted GRU operatives had principally used cryptocurrencies to launder money, and when purchasing servers, registering domains and otherwise making payments towards the cyber attacks.