Russian national charged with infiltrating American political orgs

WASHINGTON, July 16 (KUNA) -- A Russian national was charged on Monday by a US court for conspiracy to act as an agent of Russia within the US by infiltrating organizations within American politics.
Mariia Butina, 29, resided in Washington DC and worked at the direction of a "high-level" Russian official from as early as 2015 through at least February 2017, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
"The court filings detail the Russian official's and Butina's efforts for Butina to act 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 statement said.
The filings also described actions taken by Butina to further her efforts during vists from Russia and later when she entered the US on a student visa. (end) ak.mt