Biden’s accuser in Moscow seeking Russian refuge with help of ex-spy

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A woman who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault in 2020 has appeared in Moscow, announcing plans to seek citizenship in Russia.

She is also receiving the help of another woman convicted of spying for Russia.

Tara Reade in Moscow. Credit: @ReadeAlexandra/Twitter

Tara Reade, who had once served on Biden’s Senate staff, filed a complaint against the then-presidential candidate in April 2020, accusing him of sexual assault in 1993.

In a statement published on Kremlin-owned Sputnik overnight, Reade suggested her life was in danger.

“I feel very surrounded by protection and safety,” Reade said, expressing gratitude to ex-spy Maria Butina.

“It’s been very difficult to know if I’m safe or not,” Reade said. “I just didn’t want to walk home and walk into a cage or be killed, which is basically my two choices.”

In 2020, Reade told media interviewers she complained in 1993 about sexual harassment, though not sexual assault, to three of Biden’s Senate aides.

The Biden campaign in 2020 released a statement from one, Marianne Baker, who said she never received any report of inappropriate behaviour in nearly 20 years of working for Biden.

Butina pleaded guilty in the US to acting an agent for Russia in 2018. She was jailed for 18 months.

Sputnik reported Butina’s current role as a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs. The Duma is Russia’s parliament.

Butina has pledged to “discuss the possibility of granting Russian citizenship” to Reade, and ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to “fast track” her citizenship application, Sputnik reported.

Butina had sought to infiltrate conservative US political groups and promote Russia’s agenda without registering as a foreign agent.

After being released from jail in 2019, Butina was deported back to Russia.

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