No charges against Clinton over email server issue: FBI

Washington, Jul 5: In a big relief to Hillary Clinton, the FBI today ruled out charging the Democratic presidential candidate over allegations that she violated rules by using a private email server while she was US Secretary of State.

"Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before deciding whether to bring charges," the FBI Director James Comey told reporters at a crowded news conference.

Seen as a big relief to the 68-year-old former Secretary of State, the announcement came hours before President Barack Obama was scheduled to join Clinton at an election rally in North Carolina.

Before making his announcement, Comey told reporters that he has not coordinated his statement with the Justice Department or any other government agency. "They do not know what I'm about to say," he said.

PTI