US evicts Russian officials in SF for hacking

New U.S. sanctions against Russia for hacking efforts targeting the presidential election include kicking out Russian government officials at the Russian Consulate in San Francisco, where the officials have been given 72 hours to leave the country.

President Barack Obama signed an executive order today issuing sanctions against Russian intelligence services, government officials and companies who he said were involved in Russian efforts to disrupt the election.

According to the order, the Russian government was involved in hacking activities intended to erode the integrity of U.S. elections. The order also accused Russian police and security forces of harassing U.S. officials working abroad.

The harassment of U.S. officials abroad led the president to declare 35 government officials working in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco as “persona non grata.”

The order states:

“They were acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status.”

They and their families have been given 72 hours to leave the U.S.

The response to harassment also included revoking Russian access to two compounds owned by the Russian government in New York and Maryland.

The Russian Consulate in San Francisco is located at 2790 Green St. in the city’s Pacific Heights neighborhood.

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