Page:Butina mariia - affidavit - july 2018 0 0.pdf/9

 indent=1| biographies of U.S. politicians and executives of the GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION;


 * Discussions about the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL's plans to meet with a U.S. Congressman during a Congressional Delegation trip to Moscow in August 2015. In that conversation, BUTINA noted that she has the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL's diplomatic passport and can purchase a plane ticket for him from St. Petersburg to Moscow; and


 * A statement from BUTINA to the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL that the latter "has the responsibility of a serious mission—restoration of relations between countries." BUTINA continued by saying that this is a long game and that "maybe, by inviting the [GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION] here, you have prevented a conflict between two great nations. [] although, I think, this is the very beginning of the journey."

23. Based on my training, experience, and familiarity with this investigation, I believe that the above-described email and Twitter conversations represent BUTINA's plan to conduct activities as an illegal agent of the Russian Federation in the United States through a Russian influence operation.

24. BUTINA's efforts in the United States to promote the political interests of the Russian Federation were diverse and multifaceted, including BUTINA's efforts to organize a series of "friendship and dialogue" dinners, some of which are believed to have taken place in the District of Columbia, as well as BUTINA's attendance at two National Prayer Breakfasts in the District of Columbia.

25. On or about January 19, 2016, BUTINA and the Russian Representative exchanged