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Russia Calls Woman Held in US as Agent 'Political Prisoner'

by Associated Press

   MOSCOW --

   Russia's Foreign Ministry says a woman who was detained in the United
   States on charges of being a Russian agent is a political prisoner and
   must be released promptly.
   The Russian government previously objected to Maria Butina's arrest
   this month, but its characterization of her as a political prisoner on
   Thursday raises the level of complaint.
   The 29-year-old Butina has been accused of working to infiltrate the
   National Rifle Association and other U.S. political organizations
   before and after President Donald Trump's election.
   Foreign Ministry spokesman Artem Kozhin said at a briefing: "Her arrest
   is motivated solely by the motives of the U.S. domestic and foreign
   policy, and therefore she is a political prisoner."
   The U.S. government has often criticized Russia for allegedly holding
   political prisoners.