U.S. Justice Warns That People Spreading COVID-19 Could Be Charged As “Terrorists”

• The United States Department of Justice warned people against blatant spreading of the dreaded coronavirus (COVID-19), noting that they could be charged as “terrorist.”
• The American government also stressed that it will not tolerate any “threats” or “attempts” to use the coronavirus as a weapon against people.
• The authority also warned the public to be cautious over a wide range of “fraudulent and criminal” activities connected with the virus.

The United States Department of Justice issued an official statement against people who may be planning to intentionally spread the coronavirus or those who are thinking of scamming the public by way of extortion.

Base on the memo issued by the department to federal law enforcement agencies, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen warned Americans who will intentionally spread the fatal virus (COVID-19) saying they could be charged as “terrorists.” Rosen explained further that the CoronaVirus can be considered as “biological agent” and so a terrorism charge is suitable.

“Such acts potentially could implicate the nation’s terrorism-related statutes. Threats or attempts to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated,” Rosen strongly said.

The order shows the government’s aggressive steps to combat not only the disease but individuals who may be thinking of taking advantage of the crisis in any way.

“We must do the best we can to protect Americans’ rights and safety in this novel and troubling time,” Rosen added.

As of this writing, there are already over 68,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country and a death toll of more than 1,000.

Rosen likewise warned the public about criminal and fraudulent activities, such as robot-generated calls making fake offers to sell respirator masks with no intention of shipping the item.

Rosen said that the U.S. government will also not tolerate anyone that capitalizing this pandemic by extorting money from people.

The memo was made after Attorney General William Barr called on federal prosecutors to focus on the investigation of scammers and hackers “exploiting the pandemic”.

Barr also told the public to be more cautious on buying medicines as there are now a lot of fake cure for coronavirus circulating around social media.

He then called on law enforcers to remain vigilant in “detecting, investigating, and prosecuting” these illegal activities related to the pandemic.

A Twitter user asked if it is considered “terrorism” when a “political official” makes a pronouncement that Americans can go back to work, despite a pandemic. The netizen was obviously talking about Pres. Donald Trump.

The U.S. president recently urged all Americans to return to work by Easter.