Russian Agent returns to Moscow after Plea Deal

Maria Butina was greeted with flowers upon returning to Moscow. (Axios)

Maria Butina, a Russian national, was released from the Tallahassee Federal Correctional Institution on October 26 after confessing to working as a Russian agent. She was immediately deported back to Moscow.

Butina first traveled to Washington, D.C. on a student visa in 2016, having enrolled in an international relations masters program at American University. While in Washington, she became heavily involved in pro-gun activism and started working with the NRA. While speaking to Russian state-backed outlet RT, Bultina said she was trying “to improve relations” between the two countries.

However, American officials argue that Butina came to the US to work for sanctioned Russian politician Alexander Torshin and Russia’s domestic intelligence service. Torshin, who Butina described as a “mentor,” has worked in Washington to influence American politics since 2009. By infiltrating conservative interest groups like the NRA, Torshin and Butina aimed to influence American policies and advance Russian interests. Butina has vowed to continue her activism; however, she is no longer affiliated with the NRA due to her criminal record.

Butina admitted to the crime of failing to register as a Kremlin agent. The prosecutors described her espionage actions as “spotting” – unlike traditional retrieval and relaying of information, Butina searched for potential individuals to influence in future elections who had power over foreign policy. This political involvement allowed her to create contacts as powerful as Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

Originally facing up to 15 years in prison, her sentence was cut down to five years and then to 18 months, including the time she had already served. She was released after 15 months due to good behavior.

Butina claims that the US used solitary confinement to pressure her to sign a plea deal. Russian President Putin called the arrest an “outrage.” 

“She was arrested and presented with the evidence, pleaded guilty and was sentenced,” the spokeswoman at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow tweeted. “This is what a fair and open justice system looks like.”

Furthermore, Russian officials took credit for Butina’s early release. “We’re glad that finally, after very long delays, the American justice system made the decision that we sought,” Russia’s foreign minister said. There is no evidence to support these claims, as Butina was simply released after completing her sentence.

After writing letters of protest and spreading viral tweets, Russians were happy to see Butina returned. Greeted by family and flowers, she was welcomed home warmly.