FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

---

Russian Embassy Gets Permission To Visit Maria Butina, Jailed in Washington

July 19, 2018 (EIRNS)—The Russian Embassy in Washington received permission from U.S. authorities to visit Russian citizen Maria Butina, who has been detained in Washington since July 15, the Foreign Ministry announced on Facebook. Butina, who is being held without bail, has become Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s latest victim. “The embassy managed to obtain permission for consular officers to visit Butina on July 19. We will give her the necessary support,” the statement said.

Butina’s attorney Robert Neil Driscoll denied that she is a Russian agent. He also drew attention to the fact that several months ago, when she came to the attention of local authorities, Butina testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, providing U.S. lawmakers with requested documents.

“It seems that the FBI is doing a political put-up job instead of carrying out its duty to fight crime,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“We understand that some powers that continue to whip up anti-Russian hysteria are behind all this, as they have been making up bogus stories about Russia’s interference in America’s domestic affairs.

“For our part, we are taking all the possible measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Russian citizen,”

she said.