‘I did not give up because I simply could not do that, thanks to all who helped me’: Butina speaks upon arrival in Moscow
US not bad but justice system broken: Butina talks about ‘terrifying’ solitary confinement, vows to fight for inmates’ rights
(about 2 hours later)
Maria Butina, a Russian gun activist who spent months in a US jail for failing to properly register as a foreign agent, has landed in Moscow. Her case sparked outcry in Russia and accusations of “prosecutorial overreach.”
In an exclusive interview with RT, Russian gun activist Maria Butina recalled the ordeals of her prison term in the US. While not rubber stamping the country as bad, she argued the justice system is broken.
She has arrived in Sheremetyevo airport after a long flight from Miami, Florida on Saturday.
Describing the conditions she faced during her months-long detention, Butina said that being placed in solitary confinement was “the most terrifying experience” of her life.
Not holding back emotions, Butina told reporters she feels “well” and is very happy to finally "return home.” She thanked everyone for supporting her during the tough and lengthy ordeal in the US.
Howver, that did not make any sense, Butina explained, sinсe she "didn’t have any secrets."
Maria’s father, Valery Butin, has flown from Siberia to meet her at the airport. He praised the diplomats, human rights groups, and “ordinary people” for supporting his daughter and not letting the story die down. He also thanked the US lawyers for their fight against the “Russophobic” charges against his daughter in court.
"I was just a student, believing in peace-building between the two countries."
On her way out of the airport, Butina revealed that receiving news of her “strong support” at home was “a breath of fresh air amidst the horrors” she experienced while being held in the US.
She talked about how the outpouring of support from Russians helped keep her sane, and that she struggled to find the time to respond to the flood of letters she received.
“Absolutely everyone hated me there,” she said.
Despite her harrowing experience, she said that she still believes in improving relations between the US and Russia, and that there are many “wonderful” Americans that she is still close friends with. She was less optimistic about the US justice system, however.
Maria Butina went to the US on a student visa in 2016. She became involved with the National Rifle Association (NRA) as part of her stated goal of liberalizing Russia’s restrictive gun laws. In July 2018, she was detained by the FBI on suspicion of conspiring to infiltrate the lobby group to promote Russian interests in the US.
Going forward, she told RT that she wants to continue her gun activism, but will also speak out for prisoners in both Russia and the United States.
Already hooked on the Russiagate hysteria, US media outlets jumped on the story, erroneously labeling Butina a Kremlin spy who traded sex for political favors.
She promised to continue talking about “the conditions of my imprisonment because a country should be measured on how it treats its prisoners.”
The Russian gun activist pleaded guilty in December to failing to register as a foreign agent after being held in solitary confinement for months. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, essentially for being an unregistered lobbyist.
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Moscow repeatedly denied any links to Butina, saying the case against her was politically motivated. Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the US government’s case and subsequent imprisonment of Butina as a “travesty of justice.”
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