Mueller investigation: Supreme Court rules against mystery company from ‘Country A’ fighting subpoena in Trump-Russia probe

Case has long been cloaked in secrecy

The US Supreme Court is said to have ruled against an unidentified company seeking to fight a subpoena in Robert Mueller's Trump-Russia probe.

Several media outlets said the company, owned by a foreign nation referred to in documents simply as “Country A”, is believed to be part of the special counsel’s ongoing probe into Russia’ alleged interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign.

The closely read Scotusblog.com, said the company had been seeking to appeal a lower court ruling that had held it in contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena requesting information.

It said that on December 23, chief justice John Roberts put a temporary hold on the lower court’s order, “requiring the company to provide the information or pay penalties”. It noted that the filing was sealed and not available for the public to read.

The Washington Post said the subject of the secretive legal battle, is a financial institution owned by a foreign government, according to two people familiar with the case. It said it is believed to be the first time that an aspect of Mr Mueller’s inquiry has reached the Supreme Court.

The Associated Press said the decision by the court came in the form of a brief order declining to get involved in the subpoena dispute, rejecting a request from the company. While the all the documents in the case were filed under seal, the court's docket reflected the filings and the Supreme Court order.

It said a three-judge panel of the federal appeals court in Washington had in December upheld the issuance of the subpoena and a contempt order issued by a district court judge when the company failed to comply. The district court imposed and the appeals court upheld a fine in connection with the company's refusal to comply, the AP said.

The company had argued that it was immune from being subpoenaed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and that complying would require it to violate its country’s own laws.

The case has been shrouded in secrecy as it has moved through the court system. Federal marshals closed an entire floor of the federal courthouse in Washington last month when the case was argued before the three-judge appellate panel, the AP added. The move stopped the efforts of a group of 15 reporters to see whether any of the Mueller team members or other participants had entered the hearing room.