Washington, Nov 15 (AP) A federal judge has refused to dismiss a special counsel indictment against a Russian company accused of interfering in the 2016 presidential election.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, an appointee of President Donald Trump, allows the criminal case against Concord Management to proceed.

The company and two other entities were indicted in February for participating in an effort to sway American public opinion through social media posts ahead of the election. Thirteen Russians were also charged.

Lawyers for the company argued, among other things, that the indictment failed to accuse the company of knowingly breaking the law.

Friedrich rejected that analysis in a 32-page opinion Thursday, the latest legal conclusion by a judge to affirm charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. (AP) CPS

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