Robert Mueller completes Russia probe

IANS  |  Washington 

has submitted a confidential report to William Barr, signalling an end to the nearly two-year investigation, the US (DOJ) said on Friday.

The report was delivered earlier Friday afternoon to the office of Deputy who appointed Mueller in May 2017 and, within minutes, to Barr, reported, citing a DOJ

The described the report as "comprehensive."

No details of Mueller's findings have been released. It is not clear how soon they will be made public, reports

In a letter to House and judiciary leaders, Barr said he "may be in a position to advise you of the special counsel's principal conclusions as soon as this weekend."

The also said he remains committed "to as much transparency as possible" and would keep them informed "as to the status of my review."

The Mueller-led inquiry focused on possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and during the 2016 and whether the obstructed justice.

The said in a statement that it has not received or been briefed on the special counsel's report.

"The next steps are up to Attorney General Barr, and we look forward to the process taking its course," the statement added.

Mueller is required to submit a report to Barr at the conclusion of his investigation. Barr, in turn, is required to notify about Mueller's findings.

According to regulations, the report must explain Mueller's "or declination decisions." Barr has said he will write his own report summarizing Mueller's findings.

In a joint statement, and called upon Barr "to make the full report public and provide its underlying documentation and findings to "

"Attorney General Barr must not give Trump, his lawyers or his staff any 'sneak preview' of Mueller's findings or evidence, and the must not be allowed to interfere in decisions about what parts of those findings or evidence are made public," the statement said.

The probe, which has shadowed Trump's presidency, has led to felony charges against 34 people, including six Trump associates, and three companies.

reported Mueller is "still special counsel" but his investigation is "complete" and the special counsel office is not recommending any further indictments, according to DOJ officials.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed any collusion between his campaign and Moscow, while slamming the wide-ranging inquiry as a "hoax" or "witch hunt." has denied any meddling in the 2016

Trump has been ramping up efforts to discredit the Mueller report.

"I have a deputy, appoints a man to write a report on me, to make a determination on my presidency," Trump said in an interview with released on Friday morning. "People will not stand for it."

Earlier this week, Trump told reporters he doesn't understand why Mueller is writing a report, but he wants the general public to see it anyway.

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First Published: Sat, March 23 2019. 07:46 IST