Marina Butina is a resident of Barnaul who founded the Russian Right to Arms movement. She found herself at the center of an international scandal. American law enforcement officials accuse her of espionage.
Who is Marina Butina
Marina Butina was born in Barnaul. In her hometown, she has long been known as the founder of the Right to Arms public organization, which fights to expand the rights to own short-barreled weapons in Russia. Butina has been fond of this topic since childhood. In her interviews, she told how she first picked up her father's gun at the age of 10.
Having moved to Moscow, Marina became the founder of an advertising company, but at the same time continued to engage in social activities. She and her associates created the civic initiative "My home is my fortress", proposing to expand the concept of self-defense. This initiative was well supported by the public.
Alexander Torshin became the patron of the Right to Arms. He served as Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council and then Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia. The official supported all the initiatives of Butina's organization and played an important role in its fate.
Life in America and accusations against Marina Butina
In 2015, Marina entered the American University in Washington, DC, planning to become an expert in international relations. She actively participated in public and political life, met with the largest representatives of the Republican Party. Marina published her own articles in American publications, in which she stated how important it is for the improvement of relations with Russia that a representative of the Republican Party comes to power.
Butina and Torshin have repeatedly participated in official events attended by the Republicans. It didn't get much attention at the time, but the editors of a reputable publication wrote that Butina and Torshin were part of a multi-year campaign to build bonds between Russian leaders and American conservatives.
In recent years, interest in the Russian student in America has increased. In July 2018, the FBI published a conclusion in which Butina is described as the main assistant to some high-ranking official from Russia, spreading the interests of her native country in Washington. The name of the high-ranking person was not disclosed. According to the American intelligence services, Marina was a foreign agent. This is not prohibited by law if you first register with the Ministry of Justice. But Butina did not do this and is currently accused of espionage. At first Marina denied everything, but later changed her testimony.
What threatens Marina Butina
In December 2018, in the American courtroom, Butina fully admitted her guilt and confirmed her involvement in the conspiracy against America and in the interference in the presidential elections. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, this confession was made under pressure or in order to avoid severe punishment.
The re-hearing of the court will take place on February 12, 2019. At this hearing, the fate of the girl will be finally decided. She faces up to 5 years in prison with subsequent deportation to Russia. Considering the fact that Butina contacted the investigation and pleaded guilty, she could be sentenced to only 6 months in prison.
