In the USA detained the citizen of the Russian Federation for unregistered activities in favor of Russia
WASHINGTON, July 16. /TASS/. Citizen of Russia Maria Butina arrested in Washington on charges of alleged unregistered activity in the territory of the United States as an agent acting in the interests of the Russian Federation. This is stated in a statement Monday statement, the Ministry of justice.
It argues that the 29-year-old Butina “acted as an agent of Russia on the territory of the United States, developing relationships with American citizens and gaining access to organizations which influence American policy, with the purpose of promoting the interests of the Russian Federation”.
As set forth in the indictment, information, Butina “worked in the interests of the senior representative of the Russian government, which later occupied a high post in the Central Bank of the Russian Federation”. The Ministry of justice drew attention to the fact that this representative of the Russian authorities was in April 2018 included in the sanctions list of the U.S. Treasury.
The Ministry noted that Butina had the right to reside and live in the U.S. on a student visa and allegedly engaged in activities in the interests of the Russian Federation without proper registration with the Ministry of justice that in the United States is punishable by law. The statement noted that the Russian woman may face up to five years of imprisonment, but it remains innocent as long as her guilt is proven in court.
Hearing Butinai scheduled for July 18 in the court of the district of Columbia, to this day, she will remain in custody, the document says.