By Bond Robertson 
Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, 54, was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years in prison for his participation in a plot to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
In May this year, he was released from prison in the United States Opposite for US Marines Trevor Reed, who was serving a prison sentence in Russia.
On Friday, a number of media reported, among other things sincere , Yaroshenko was appointed as an advisor to the Russian government.
Did Putin cheat us?
It will serve the community
In the resolution, as an independent Russian Medusa . site Referring to, Yaroshenko is described as a “human rights activist and public figure.”
When the 54-year-old was released earlier this year, he expressed his desire to get more involved in Russian society.
I would like to use all my knowledge and all my abilities to serve society in Russia. He said at the time: I want to show them what Americans really are.
Yaroshenko also confirmed that he wanted to secure the release of a number of Russians imprisoned abroad.
I have many supporters abroad who want to work together to resist the false propaganda machine that oppresses Russians and other citizens who do not agree with Western policy.
Transporting 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 plotting to fly several tons of cocaine from South America to the United States.
The Russian pleaded not guilty, but was nevertheless sentenced to 20 years in prison. While in prison, he sought help from the Russian authorities and in 2014 sent a direct message to Putin.
In May, his plea was heard, and therefore he was included in the prisoner exchange, in which Russia exchanged him for American prisoner Trevor Read, who spent nine years in a Russian prison for violence against a police officer.
Yaroshenko claims that he was tortured while in prison in the United States.