The information was released at a press conference in which the SIC presented two Russians and two Angolans, who were preemptively arrested on suspicion of criminal association, document forgery, terrorism, and terrorist financing.
According to a statement from the SIC, the warrant judge decided to release a third Angolan, but subject to a statement of identity and residence, after being arrested last week in connection with the same case.
"It is important to emphasize that our investigations have determined that the Russian citizens are operatives for the organization África Politology, whose activities, among other things, involve promoting disinformation campaigns, manipulating local media, and infiltrating political processes, especially by fomenting subversion," the SIC statement stated.
According to the SIC, the Russians also allegedly handed over "large sums of money, in national and foreign currency, to journalists, politicians, professional associations, and digital content producers to support their operations."
The investigation also found, the SIC continues, that the organization Africa Politology not only engages in digital propaganda and fake news, but also "finances staged demonstrations, corrupts local journalists, and shapes the public narrative to favor its strategic interests."
Through its investigations, the SIC managed to thwart several demonstrations scheduled for the provinces of Luanda and Benguela, SIC spokesperson Manuel Halaiwa said, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects and fully clarify these crimes.
During the arrests, the Angolan criminal investigation seized various assets, including computers, cell phones, various documents, some of which were encrypted, as well as sums of money in national and foreign currency.
When asked about the "large" amount transferred by Russian citizens to Angolans, Manuel Halaiwa said that "at this moment, an investigation needs to be conducted into all the money transfers that were made at various locations, to various beneficiaries."
"We're talking about several groups of people, journalists, politicians, and then we'll make the exact amount public at the appropriate time. But we know we have amounts in kwanzas, in foreign currency, both US dollars and rubles, which is the Russian currency," he emphasized.
Manuel Halaiwa added that this entire situation is occurring at a time when the country is experiencing "great tensions over recent events."
Angola experienced a tense situation at the end of July, with riots in several provinces following a strike led by taxi associations and cooperatives due to rising fuel prices and, consequently, public transportation fares.
The strike was marked by acts of vandalism, looting, and violence in the provinces of Luanda, Benguela, Huíla, Bengo, Icolo e Bengo, Huambo, and Lunda Norte, resulting, according to the National Police, in 30 deaths, more than 200 injuries, and more than 1500 arrests.
Following this action, authorities have announced the arrest of several leaders of taxi associations and cooperatives, among other individuals.
