Woman who accused Biden of sexual assault flees to Russia and seeks citizenship

31 May 2023 , 15:19

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Tara Reade accused Biden of assaulting her while she worked for him - which he has always denied

A woman has fled to Russia after accusing US President Joe Biden of sexual assault.

Tara Reade, a US citizen and former assistant to Joe Biden, claims she fells unsafe in America and has sought refuge in Russia.

She alleged in March 2020, during the US presidential election campaign, that Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 when she worked as a staff assistant in his office.

Mr Biden has consistently denied the allegations.

After Biden's re-election announcement in 2024, Ms Reade, now 59, reiterated her accusations and expressed a willingness to testify in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives.

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Tara Reade has fled to Russia (Megyn Kelly/ Youtube)

But in an interview, Ms Reade claimed that at the time of the allegations, she saw minimal support from the Democratic Party and that instead, she encountered smears and intimidation.

Having now arrived in Russia, told state news. "I'm still kind of in a daze a bit but I feel very good," Reade told Sputnik. "I feel very surrounded by protection and safety."

Ms Reade added that she feared for her life in the US, and noted that her decision to relocate was "difficult".

Joe Biden has denied the allegations of sexual assault (Getty Images)

The 59-year-old woman said: "I just didn't want to walk home and walk into a cage or be killed, which is basically my two choices. [The decision to go to Russia] was very difficult. I'm not an impulsive person. I really take my time and sort of analyze data points.

"And from what I could see based on the cases and based on what was happening and sort of the push for them to not want me to testify, I felt that while this election is gearing up and there's so much at stake, I'm almost better off here and just being safe."

Ms Reade said she believes that the US democracy is in disarray and spoke of an accommodating stance of the Kremlin towards those seeking refuge.

Several women have accused Joe Biden of physical contact that made them feel uncomfortable - which he denies (AFP via Getty Images)

Maria Butina, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, has stated she intends to discuss the possibility of granting Ms Reade Russian citizenship.

Ms Reade worked as a staff assistant in Joe Biden's U.S. Senate office when she was in her late twenties from December 1992 to August 1993.

She is one of several women who have accused Mr Biden of physical contact that made them feel uncomfortable - which he's denied.

After her work with Mr Biden, she went on to study and worked as an advocate for domestic violence victims in Washington state and later in California.

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In early 2020, she worked part-time with families with special-needs children, and earned a law degree from Seattle University but has not practised law.

Vassia Barba