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BREAKING A federal judge sentences Russian gun activist Maria Butina to 18 months in prison, calling her actions 'dangerous' and 'a threat to our democracy'. wapo.st/2PzoDDg
Judge Tanya Chutkan: Butina's networking with the NRA, a Russia visit by NRA leaders, other conduct, were used "to establish back channel lines of communication to advance Russian interests. The conduct was sophisticated and penetrated deep into political organizations."
Butina's actions 'might' have been legal, but it was because she did not disclose her Kremlin ties that they "were so dangerous and constituted a threat to our democracy," Chutkan said, because it prevented the U.S. government, others from responding.
Butina :was not simply seeking to learn about the U.S. political system. She was seeking to collect information ... helpful to the Russian govt, under the direction of a Russian official ...at a time [it] was working to interfere in and affect the American electoral process."
Butina expressed deep remorse and appealed for mercy: "I came to the United States not under any orders, but with hope, and leave with nothing remaining but penitence. ... still hold a whisper in my heart to return to this country, but I know this wish is only a dream."
Butina: 'The United States has always been kind to me, and though it was not my intention to harm the American people, I did that by not notifying the Attorney General of my actions. I deeply regret these events'
Butina, dressed in a green prison uniform and speaking clearly but emotionally "Ironically, this incident has harmed my intent to improve relations" between the countries, she said. "For all the international scandal my incident has caused, I feel ashamed and embarrassed."
Butina: "It is my penitence and now I beg for mercy. Please accept my apology and allow me to begin again."
