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Diplomats get access to detained Russian citizen in US jail

Maria Butina has no complaints about her health condition, the diplomats say

Maria Butina EPA-EFE/Press Service of Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation

Maria Butina

© EPA-EFE/Press Service of Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation

WASHINGTON, July 20. /TASS/. Russian citizen Maria Butina, detained in Washington on July 15, has difficulties in adapting to prison conditions, but feels well and has no health problems so far, the Russian embassy said on Thursday.

The embassy said in a brief statement that its officials have "succeeded in getting a permission for a consular visit to Butina in a Washington jail."

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"Despite the stress and the psychological pressure that the Russian citizen had to experience during her arrest, she feels well and has no complaints about her health," the embassy said.

"Just like any normal person, Maria has difficulties in adapting to prison conditions," the statement reads. "However, she is holding her head up high, is sure of her innocence and is determined to prove it in the court."

"Of course, she was glad to see our diplomats and feel moral support. We told Maria that her case has sparked a public outcry in Russia, that words of solidarity for her are being expressed. She asked to tell her parents not to worry," the embassy said.

Butina’s case

Maria Butina was arrested in Washington DC on July 15 on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the Russian government.

According to the US Department of Justice, the 29-year-old Butina is suspected of acting "as an agent of Russia inside the United States by developing relationships with US persons and infiltrating organizations having influence in American politics, for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation."

The complaint further states that Butina had the right to enter and reside in the United States on a student visa, but "undertook her activities without officially disclosing the fact that she was acting as an agent of Russian government, as required by law."

Russian Defense Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow considered Washington’s allegations against Butina to be groundless and politically motivated. According to her, Russia has been doing everything possible to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the arrested woman.

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