Moscow's Efforts for the Release of Russian 'Secret Agent' Imprisoned in the U.S.

The Russian Foreign Minister has requested his American counterpart to release Maria Butina, who has been accused of conducting a 'secret mission' for the Russian government and conspiring against the U.S. According to Reuters, Sergei Lavrov told Mike Pompeo on Saturday, July 30, that U.S. authorities arrested Ms. Butina based on 'fabricated charges' and demanded her immediate release. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Mr. Lavrov made these remarks during a phone call with Mr. Pompeo, which was aimed at 'improving' relations between the two countries. Maria Butina, 29, the founder of a Russian group supporting gun ownership, was arrested in Washington on July 24. An indictment published on July 27 against this Russian citizen states that she entered into a relationship with an American citizen to gain influence in political circles. The indictment does not mention the name of this American citizen, but some media outlets report that he is a political activist closely associated with pro-gun groups. CNN also identified this individual as Paul Erickson, a Republican political activist. The indictment further adds that Maria Butina, in addition to this relationship, offered sexual favors to another individual to secure a job position in a lobbying group. The prosecutor has stated that Ms. Butina received instructions for her activities from a Russian official. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, this individual is likely Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of the Central Bank and a former senator from Mr. Putin's political party. Mr. Torshin has recently been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, and investigations are ongoing in Spain regarding his connections to organized crime in Russia. Julia Ioffe, an American journalist, told Radio Free Europe about Maria Butina and Alexander Torshin: 'I got to know Torshin through her [Maria Butina]. I think they were very close, and Torshin seemed very strange to me. A big-bellied senator who loved guns and attended the National Rifle Association meetings (the largest gun lobby and one of the most influential pressure groups in the political scene in the U.S.).' Reports indicate that Ms. Butina traveled to the U.S. several times with Torshin and gradually began establishing relationships with individuals connected to the National Rifle Association. According to Reuters, Ms. Butina intended to get close to pro-gun groups in the U.S. and influence 'U.S. foreign policy towards Russia.' Ms. Butina has denied these allegations. If the charges against Ms. Butina are proven in court, she could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.