Russia's Rights Commissioner On Butina's Detention Conditions In US: Cruel Treatment

Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said Monday there are all signs of cruel treatment in the detention conditions of Russian national Maria Butina, who is kept in a US prison.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th August, 2018) Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said Monday there are all signs of cruel treatment in the detention conditions of Russian national Maria Butina, who is kept in a US prison.

Moskalkova expressed extreme concern over the actions of the US prison authorities during Butina's transfer from Washington's prison to Alexandria prison. She noted that, according to reports, Butina "was subjected to a humiliating strip search, was convoyed without warnings or explanations in shackles, placed in a quarantine cell where she spent 12 hours with the lights on and without food, and now is held in solitary confinement."

"These actions, including holding in solitary confinement, have all signs of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment by the US government and violation of international law," the commissioner said on her website.

Moskalkova said she is asking the global human rights community to call on the US government to humanize the conditions of Butina's detention.

Butina was arrested in Washington, DC in mid-July and charged with conspiracy to act as a foreign agent. US Federal prosecutors have alleged that Butina maintained contact with suspected Russian intelligence operatives, including FBI officials. Russia has strongly criticized the US government for detaining Butina and characterized the charges against her as "clearly groundless."