Alexander Ionov

For the Russian footballer, see Aleksandr Ionov.

Alexander Viktorovich Ionov (Russian: Александр Викторович Ионов; born December 12, 1989) is a Russian businessman and political figure living in Moscow. He is the head of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), which promotes secession movements in countries other than Russia.^[1][2][3] In July 2022, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Ionov and on three groups he is said to lead, including the AGMR.^[4]

The Rewards for Justice Program of the U.S. State Department offers $10 million for information about Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov

Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR)

Alexander Ionov, who began his political career in 2009 in Russia's Communist Party youth organization, became president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR) in 2011. In 2012, according to the Robert Lansing Institute, Ionov "got the diploma of technical service manager-economist at Moscow State Agro-Engineering University... He obtained his master’s degree in 2014, in vocational education."^[2]

In 2014, the AGMR hosted a small conference of secessionist groups whose speakers included Michael Hill head of "Southern secession" group the League of the South.^[5] Ionov organized a larger conference in 2015, which became the first of several "Dialogue of Nations" events hosted by AGMR that brought representatives of many separatist groups to Moscow.^[5] In addition to US and EU secessionist groups, the 2015 event in Moscow's President hotel included Russian-backed separatists from eastern Ukraine.^[6] The 2015 event, billing itself as the International Russian Conservative Forum, was held in St. Petersburg on 22 March 2015.^[7]

BBC News described AGMR's 2016 event as "a conference of Western secession movements," with representatives from secession-promoting groups based in California, Texas, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Northern Ireland.^[8] Ionov told reporters that the Russian government supported the 2016 conference, contributing 30% of its cost, but denied that Russian government money was paid directly to any Americans.^[3]

The AGMR also provided "Yes California" founder Louis J. Marinelli with office space in Moscow for what The New York Times described as "an 'embassy' of California in Russia."^[9]

Criminal charges

Alexander Ionov was charged by a US Dept. of Justice indictment unsealed on July 29, 2022. He is accused of working on behalf of the Russian government and in conjunction with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and orchestrating a years-long foreign malign influence campaign that used various U.S. political groups to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda, and interfere in elections within the United States.^[10] According to the indictment, Ionov is accused of providing support to political campaigns in Florida, advocating for California's secession from the United States, and financing a protest tour in solidarity with a petition denouncing the alleged "genocide" of African people within the country.^{[citation needed]}

In September, 2024 jury found Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess, and Augustus C. Romain, Jr. guilty of conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government. They were leaders of the African People's Socialist Party or components thereof and cooperated with Alexander Ionov.^[11] They were sentenced to probation and community service.^[12]

Reward offer

Starting February 2023, the Rewards for Justice Program of the United States Department of State offered up to $10 million USD for information about the activities of Ionov.^[13]