Justice Department asks judge to send Maria Butina back to Russia after her sentencing

[Miles Archer]

CNN Politics
@CNNPolitics
Justice Department asks judge to send Maria Butina back to Russia after her sentencing (link: https://cnn.it/2FGtqOD) cnn.it/2FGtqOD

Link to tweet

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/29/politics/maria-butina-justice-department-return-russia/index.html

Washington (CNN)The Justice Department has formally asked a federal judge to send Maria Butina back to Russia after she is sentenced, which is scheduled for late April.

The court documents filed Friday afternoon in advance of her sentencing acknowledge that she agrees not to return to the US for 10 years.

Butina, a 30-year-old Russian national, was arrested last July for acting as an illegal agent of the Russian government and trying to infiltrate GOP political groups as well as the National Rifle Association. In December, Butina pleaded guilty to one criminal charge of conspiracy and has been cooperating with investigators. She has been incarcerated for the more than eight months since her arrest.

The move to send her back to Russia comes as little surprise. Part of Butina's plea agreement stated that Butina was likely to be deported upon the completion of her sentence.

[guillaumeb]

1. So Putin can award her a medal?

The House should subpoena her for testimony here.

[gratuitous]

2. That's awfully humanitarian of the Department of Justice

These are the same folks who threw the book at Reality Winner. Curious, innit?

[Baltimike]

3. Part of their plan. nt

[Hekate]

4. In the old days she'd be kept in the pokey until time for a prisoner swap. I miss the old days.

[Jake Stern]

7. Or she became the unofficial voltage tester for New York

Ask Julius and Ethel.

[Hekate]

8. That, too

[bluedigger]

5. I guess they'll just extradite her if they need further testimony.

[Jake Stern]

6. Only in America

can you stand up to protect your land and people against poisoning at Standing Rock and get brutalized or face years in Federal prison but infiltrate organizations with intent to influence our government and get shipped home to a hero's welcome.

Fuck white privilege, this is even better: Russian privilege.

[Efilroft Sul]

9. I had a thought: Could DOJ deport her immediately after sentencing but she serves no further time?

Is there already a secret deal in place with Russia that prevents Congress from further questioning her? I mean, she's agreed to not return to the US for 10 years.

[Jake Stern]

10. Should be excluded for life

We used to execute spies and saboteurs so she's getting off pretty easy.

Wouldn't be surprised if Trump quietly pardons her as a "goodwill gesture" to Russia.

[Efilroft Sul]

12. Something seems amiss about the DOJ statement.

Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[rockfordfile]

11. The House should continue to investigate. I would like to hear what she has to say.