14 Dec 2018 12:57

Lavrov says aim of Butina's plea deal is securing rapid release

BAKU. Dec 14 (Interfax) - The goal of Russian citizen Maria Butina's plea deal with U.S. justice was to get her released as soon as possible, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"It's my understanding that the essence of this deal with justice, which is a practice primarily characteristic of the United States, is to secure her release and return to her home country as soon as possible," Lavrov said at a press briefing in Baku on Friday.

"Our diplomats visited Maria Butina yesterday. She remains in custody conditions that usually apply to the most dangerous hardened criminals. We again demanded her transfer to the general population," he said.