Accused Russian Agent Seeks To Raise Funds Online For Legal Defense
(World News Russia)

A Russian woman who has been charged in Washington with acting as an unregistered agent for the Russian government has launched an online funding-raising campaign to pay for her legal defense. Maria Butina, 29, opened a website to raise money for her case after being arrested last month, her lawyer and media reported on August 17. Before her arrest, the gun rights advocate had built up a network of prominent Republican contacts in Washington, including at the powerful National Rifle Association, while working toward a master`s degree in political science at the American University. "I`m Maria and I need your help," the website of Butina`s new fund-raising foundation says,...