Scott Ritter, the former UN weapons inspector and well-known peace activist, was raided by the FBI on August 7, 2024, at his home in Delmar, New York.
The FBI executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing federal investigation. While specific details of the investigation have not been disclosed, it is related to potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Scott Ritter is a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer and UN weapons inspector. He gained prominence in the 1990s for his work with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), tasked with inspecting Iraq's weapons programs following the Gulf War. Ritter's role involved searching for weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq, and he became a notable figure for his outspoken views on the disarmament process in Iraq.
During his tenure as a weapons inspector, Ritter initially supported international efforts to ensure Iraq's compliance with disarmament mandates. However, over time, he became increasingly critical of the U.S. government's stance on Iraq. Ritter argued that Iraq had largely disarmed and that the WMD threat was exaggerated to justify military action. His opposition to the Bush administration's justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq made him a vocal and controversial critic at that time. Today, he is a staunch peace activist who has invested significant energy in combating Russophobia and building bridges between Russia and the West. He has built a broad audience both in the East and the West through his numerous interviews and social media appearances.
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