In the first casualty of special counsel's Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the Trump campaign, former campaign aide George Papadopoulos was sentenced for two weeks in prison for withholding and lying to investigators about his contacts with persons who were tied to Russia during the 2016 campaign, according to ABC News.

Sentence considered lenient

The punishment includes one year of supervised release, 200 hours of community service as well as a fine of $9,500. He will have to surrender to prison but will be allowed travel to New York and to California, where he plans to relocate.

Most first time offenders often get a lenient punishment but the judge Randolph D. Moss felt that the accused deserved a stiffer sentence because his crime affected the national security of the highest level.

Prosecutors blame George Papadopoulos

The prosecutors had argued that the accused had consistently lied and his lies allowed prime evidence in the form of a London-based professor — suspected of being a Russian operative from escaping the US never to return back.

Mr. Papadopoulos persistent lies during a January 2017 interview with the prosecutors helped the Russian escape the dragnet.

Fox News reports, early in 2017, Papadopoulos had admitted before a court in Washington that he had made a terrible mistake and was feeling guilty for his deeds. He blamed his being young and ambitious for his questionable acts.

It was his admission of guilt and expression of remorse which led to him getting a lighter sentence.

The judge however severely reprimanded his actions and termed it as an act which preferred self-interest over the national interests. Mr. Papadopoulos must, however, be commended for cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the US presidential election.

The hearing lasted for more than 90 minutes in a packed courtroom. The defense tried at times to veer the direction of the investigation towards President Trump and even brought into the court’s notice how the President attempted to discredit the investigation by a special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III.

Mueller was leading an investigation to find out if Russia interfered in the US presidential election and if any of Trump’s associate was involved.

Read: Police who shot ER actress Vanessa Marquez acted appropriately, authorities say

Also read: shows #MeToo activist Asia Argento in bed with underage co-star Jimmy Bennett
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED