News   /   Politics   /   Editor's Choice

US judge orders accused Russian agent to remain in jail

Maria Butina, 29-year-old Russian gun activist, charged in the US with spying for Moscow. (Photo via social media)

A US federal judge has firmly rejected a bid by accused Russian agent Maria Butina to be released from jail pending trial.

In a press release in mid-July, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said Butina had been charged “with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation within the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General,” through establishing relationships and infiltrating organizations that had influence in US politics.

The DOJ alleged that Butina, who studied at American University in Washington and is a founder of the pro-gun Russian advocacy group Right to Bear Arms, had acted with “the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation” at the direction of a “high-level” Russian official, who was not named in reports.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan called Butina a “very real” flight risk and refused a defense request to allow the 29-year-old bail and house arrest.

In this file photo taken on October 08, 2013 Maria Butina, leader of a pro-gun organization, speaks during a press conference in Moscow. (AFP photo)

“I cannot envision a scenario for Ms. Butina to be released from jail,” Chutkan said during a status hearing in the case, adding that such a move simply would result in her being “placed into a car with diplomatic tags” and whisked away to an airport for a Russia-bound flight.

“The court finds that there are no conditions or combination of conditions that would ensure Ms. Butina’s availability to this court,” Chutkan noted.

The Russian gun rights activist was arrested in July and stands accused of developing a covert influence operation in the United States. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and failure to register as a foreign agent.

Read more:

Moscow has strongly criticized the US government for detaining Butina, labeling the case against her “fabricated” and calling for her release.

Butina is scheduled to be back in court on November13.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku