Maria Butina, born November 10, 1988, is a Russian national who gained notoriety in the United States for her involvement in an effort to infiltrate American political organizations, particularly [[conservative]] groups and the [[National Rifle Association (NRA)]]. She was arrested in 2018 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent under [FARA laws](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/hybrid-warfare/foreign-agents-registration-act-fara/). Her case drew significant media attention, shedding light on Russian attempts to influence American politics, particularly during the contentious [2016 election](https://doctorparadox.net/category/politics/2016-election/). Maria Butina was born in Barnaul, Russia, and attended Altai State University, where she earned a degree in political science. Butina's interest in firearms and gun rights led her to establish a Russian gun rights organization called "The Right to Bear Arms" in 2011. Through this organization, she became acquainted with Alexander Torshin, a prominent Russian politician and then-deputy governor of the Central Bank of Russia, who would later become her mentor and alleged handler. ## Involvement in American politics In 2015, Butina moved to the United States on a student visa to attend American University in Washington, D.C., where she pursued a master's degree in international relations. During her time in the U.S., she became increasingly involved in political activities, particularly within conservative circles and the NRA. Butina cultivated relationships with various American politicians, lobbyists, and activists, often presenting herself as an advocate for gun rights and a liaison between American and Russian conservatives. ## Arrest and conviction In July 2018, Maria Butina was arrested in Washington, D.C., and charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of the Russian government. Prosecutors alleged that she had worked under the direction of Alexander Torshin to establish backchannel lines of communication between Russian officials and influential Americans, particularly within the [Republican Party](https://doctorparadox.net/the-gop-is-3-cults-in-a-trenchcoat/) and the NRA. Butina initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but in December 2018, she reversed her plea and admitted to conspiring with Torshin to infiltrate American political organizations and promote Russian interests. In April 2019, Butina was sentenced to 18 months in prison, including the nine months she had already served awaiting trial. After completing her sentence, she was deported to Russia in October 2019. ## Post-deportation activities Upon her return to Russia, Maria Butina was greeted as a celebrity by some segments of the Russian population and media. She has since capitalized on her notoriety by hosting a television show on Russian state-owned channel RT (Russia Today) and writing a book about her experiences in the United States. Additionally, Butina was elected to the Public Chamber of Russia in 2020. The Public Chamber is an institution that serves as a bridge between Russian society and the Russian government, providing a platform for dialogue between the two. She's also been appointed the Executive Director of "The Right to Bear Arms" gun rights group, the same organization she was leading before her spy escapades in the U.S. Maria Butina's case attracted significant media attention and raised questions about the alarming extent of Russian influence within American political organizations. Her activities in the U.S. and subsequent arrest and conviction have contributed to our collective awareness of the extent of foreign interference in American politics.