Ex-FBI chief Comey to testify next week in Russia probe

Former FBI Director James Comey will testify next Thursday before a US Senate panel investigating Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 US election, in a hearing that could be difficult for President Donald Trump. 

In his first public appearance since Trump fired him on May 9, Comey will address the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8. He will speak at both an open session and behind closed doors, which would allow him to discuss classified information, the committee said.

Allegations that Russia may have helped Trump win the 2016 presidential election and questions about possible collusion by members of



his campaign are being investigated by several US congressional committees as well as by the Justice Department. 

Comey is expected to be asked about conversations in which Trump reportedly pressured him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, one of several Trump associates who are drawing scrutiny about Russia and last year's US election.

Russia has repeatedly denied any effort to interfere in the US election, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said some Russians might have acted on their own without their government's involvement.