Alexander Torshin—the deputy governor of Russia’s central bank who has been linked to Maria Butina, the suspected agent who was allegedly operating in Washington—has retired from his post. Torshin, who turned 65 on Tuesday, was one of a number of Russian businessmen and officials hit by U.S. sanctions in April. The U.S. Justice Department has said suspected agent Butina was working under the direction of an unnamed senior official at the Russian central bank. Her lawyers have identified the official as Torshin. Butina is accused of working with the Russian official and two unidentified U.S. citizens to try to infiltrate the National Rifle Association and attempt to influence American foreign policy toward Russia. She is known to have previously served as a special assistant to Torshin.
