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‘This is a criminal trial’: Paul Manafort, Richard Gates to remain on home arrest

US President Donald Trump’s former campaign advisers Paul Manafort and Richard Gates have been ordered to remain under house arrest.

A federal judge rejected their pleas for less stringent bail conditions of Thursday (US time), stating they must stay on home arrest through the weekend.

Mr Manafort’s lawyer, Kevin Downing’s request to have his client’s GPS tracker removed was also rejected.

US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson warned lawyers not to discuss the case publicly and to limit their statements to the courtroom and to court documents.

“This is a criminal trial and not a public relations campaign,” Judge Jackson said during a hearing on Thursday.

The matter will be revisited when the pair return for a scheduled bond hearing on Monday.

Paul Manafort Richard Gates

Richard Gates leaving court on Thursday. Photo: Getty

President Trump’s former campaign manager Mr Manafort, 68, and longtime business associate Mr Gates, 45, pleaded not guilty to 12 indictment charges on Monday, including charges of conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy against the United States, and failing to register as foreign agents of Ukraine’s former pro-Russian government.

If convicted on conspiracy to launder money alone the pair face up to 20 years in prison.

Mr Manafort lawyer said in court filings his client did not pose a risk of fleeing the country and argued the government’s case against his client was flimsy.

Mr Gates’ attorneys made similar requests to the court, describing him as a “devoted husband and a very involved father”.

However, prosecutors argued there is a risk the men would flee.

Ms Jackson said initial bail terms for Mr Manafort and Mr Gates – $US10 million ($A12 million) and $US5 million ($A6.4 million) respectively – would remain in place for now.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team is probing conclusions reached by top US intelligence agencies and others that Russia interfered in the election to undercut Americans’ faith in their democracy, undermine Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and help Mr Trump.

The inquiry also will determine whether or not there was any coordination between Russians and associates of the Trump campaign.

The Kremlin has repeatedly denied meddling, while Mr Trump has denied collusion between his associates and Moscow, calling the investigations a “witch hunt”.

– with wires

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