Maria Butina, who was convicted in the US, returned to Russia and gave an interview to RT

Here's what she said - in as few words as possible

When I was released from prison, I didn’t know what was happening. I only felt relief when they took me to the plane and I saw the Russian flag and recognized Aeroflot. In the US, I spent 117 days in solitary confinement. It was a terrible experience. Maybe they were trying to break my will. But I don’t know any secrets, I’m just a student who believed in peaceful relations between Russia and the US. I was never a spy. If I didn’t look the way I do, if I weren’t a woman, there wouldn’t be this story about sex . I pleaded guilty to failing to register as a foreign agent because if it had gone to court, I would have been given [the maximum possible sentence], all 15 years. My country did everything to protect me. I’m proud to be Russian. I’m convinced that peace is possible between Russia and the US. I did not seek fame, but since I have it, I will fight for those who feel humiliated, used, forgotten.

Butina's full interview can be viewed here . It was conducted in English with simultaneous translation.

Photo in the announcement: Alexander Zemlyanichenko / AP / Scanpix / LETA