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Maria Butina: Russian agent sentenced to 18 months in prison | Maria Butina: Russian agent sentenced to 18 months in prison |
(32 minutes later) | |
A Russian agent who tried to infiltrate US political groups has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, telling the court: "I destroyed my own life." | A Russian agent who tried to infiltrate US political groups has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, telling the court: "I destroyed my own life." |
Maria Butina tried to insinuate herself into the National Rifle Association (NRA) in an effort to sway American policies in favour of Moscow. | Maria Butina tried to insinuate herself into the National Rifle Association (NRA) in an effort to sway American policies in favour of Moscow. |
After pleading not guilty, she later reversed her position, admitting to a single count of conspiracy in December. | After pleading not guilty, she later reversed her position, admitting to a single count of conspiracy in December. |
The 30-year-old has been in custody since July. | |
She will face deportation immediately after her sentence is served. | |
Butina told the court: "My parents discovered my arrest on the morning news they watch in their rural house in a Siberian village. | Butina told the court: "My parents discovered my arrest on the morning news they watch in their rural house in a Siberian village. |
"I love them dearly, but I harmed them morally and financially. They are suffering from all of that. | "I love them dearly, but I harmed them morally and financially. They are suffering from all of that. |
"I destroyed my own life as well. I came to the United States not under any orders, but with hope, and now nothing remains but penitence." | "I destroyed my own life as well. I came to the United States not under any orders, but with hope, and now nothing remains but penitence." |
Despite prosecutor's claims that she damaged US national security, Butina said that she had no intention of harming the American people. | Despite prosecutor's claims that she damaged US national security, Butina said that she had no intention of harming the American people. |
Her sentencing came on the same day that US President Donald Trump travelled to speak at the NRA convention in Indianapolis. | Her sentencing came on the same day that US President Donald Trump travelled to speak at the NRA convention in Indianapolis. |
In court on Friday, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan said she had received and reviewed two dozen character letters for Butina. | |
But the judge was reportedly unmoved by Butina's apology, saying that her actions "jeopardised our country's national security", US media said. | But the judge was reportedly unmoved by Butina's apology, saying that her actions "jeopardised our country's national security", US media said. |
"This was no simple misunderstanding by a overeager foreign student," Judge Chutkan said. | |
At the end of the hearing, Judge Chutkan wished Butina well. | |
"You are a young woman, you are smart, you are hard working." Judge Chutkan said to Butina, "I wish you the best luck." | |
Federal prosecutor Erik Kenserson described Butina as an agent of a foreign government with "undoubtedly serious" intentions, though stopped short of calling her activities espionage. | |
"While it is certainly true that the defendant was an American university student," Mr Kenerson said, "She did this for the benefit of the Russian Federation." | |
As part of a plea deal, Butina had agreed to co-operate with investigators. Judge Chutkan noted on Friday that Butina had provided "substantial assistance" to law enforcement. | |
Prosecutors said they expected the deal would provide information about Russia's efforts to interfere in US politics. | |
Prosecutors said Butina was directed by a senior Russian official to infiltrate conservative political groups, including an unnamed pro-gun lobbying organisation presumed to be the NRA, which is allied with Mr Trump's Republican party. | Prosecutors said Butina was directed by a senior Russian official to infiltrate conservative political groups, including an unnamed pro-gun lobbying organisation presumed to be the NRA, which is allied with Mr Trump's Republican party. |
The case has no connection with the Mueller inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. | The case has no connection with the Mueller inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. |
In a statement read in court, one of the prosecutors said Butina had drafted, in March 2015, a document called "Diplomacy Project" that called for unofficial communication lines between high-ranking US officials and Russia. | In a statement read in court, one of the prosecutors said Butina had drafted, in March 2015, a document called "Diplomacy Project" that called for unofficial communication lines between high-ranking US officials and Russia. |
She acknowledged that she worked with two Americans and a Russian official. | She acknowledged that she worked with two Americans and a Russian official. |
The Russian government has previously described the case as "fabricated". | The Russian government has previously described the case as "fabricated". |