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Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former presidential campaign manager has been charged with conspiring to cheat the US in his dealings with Ukraine.

The 12 charges that brought against Mr. Manafort and Rick Gates, one of his business associates, include conspiracy to launder money.

They stem from an investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

It has appeared that another adviser to Mr. Trump admitted this month to lying about his links to Russia.

George Papadopolous pleaded guilty for making false statements to FBI agents about his contacts with an anonymous overseas academic who supposedly informed him that the Russians possessed “dirt” on Hillary Clinton Mr. Trump’s presidential opponent.

The charges against Mr. Manafort and Mr. Gates do not relate to Mr. Trump’s campaign but to the supposed concealment of payments from the pair’s Ukrainian business dealings up to 2016.

An investigation ruled by special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into any relations between Russia and the Trump campaign. Both sides deny any collusion.

Responding to news of the charges, Mr. Trump tweeted to point out that they did not concern his campaign and asked why “the focus” was not on supposed wrongdoing involving Mrs. Clinton instead.