In 2011, Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko (54) was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
In May of this year, he was released from prison in the United States in exchange for US Marine Trevor Reed, who was serving a sentence in Russia.
On Friday, several media outlets reported, among others the Espresso, that Yaroshenko was appointed adviser to the Russian government.
– Have we been deceived by Putin?
– It will serve society
In the decision, as the independent Russian the Medusa website refers, Yaroshenko is described as a “human rights fighter and public figure”.
When the 54-year-old was released earlier this year, he expressed his desire to be more involved in Russian society.
– I want to use all my knowledge and all my skills to serve society in Russia. I want to show them what Americans really are, she said at the time.
Yaroshenko also stressed that he wanted to secure the release of several Russians imprisoned abroad.
– I have many supporters abroad who want to work together to oppose the lying propaganda machine that persecutes Russians and other citizens who disagree with Western politics
He transported several tons of cocaine
Yaroshenko was arrested at the end of May in Liberia and extradited to the United States two days later.
The 54-year-old was accused of planning the air transport of several tons of cocaine from South America to the United States.
The Russian pleaded not guilty, but was still sentenced to 20 years in prison. During his detention, he asked the Russian authorities for help and in 2014 sent a letter directly to Putin.
In May, his request was heard and he was then included in a prisoner exchange, in which Russia exchanged him for jailed American Trevor Reed, who spent nine years in a Russian prison on charges of violence. against a police officer.
Yaroshenko claims he was tortured while in prison in the United States.
