A Russian court convicted Ksenia Karelina of treason after making a donation to an American charity helping Ukraine.
Ksenia Karelinacon dual nationality Russian-American, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Russia for treason after being accused of allegedly raising funds for the Ukrainian Army. Ksenia Khavana, identified by Russian authorities by her maiden name, Karelina, was convicted on charges related to a donation of 52 dollars (46 euros) to an American charity.
He Federal Security Service of Russia stated that he “proactively raised money in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organizations, which was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces“.
Karelina, a former ballet dancer, obtained American citizenship after marrying her husband and moving to Los Angeles. she was detained in Ekaterimburgoafter returning to Russia to visit his family and pleaded guilty to the charges in a closed-door trial, according to Russian state media.
His defense will appeal the sentence, which the United States denounces as “ridiculous”
His lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, said that Karelia declared guilty of transferring the fundsbut stated that was not aware that the money would be used for “anti-Russian actions”and added that plans to appeal the verdict.
His partner, Chris Van Heerden, has done campaign for his release since she was arrested. “I thought it might be dangerous for her to go, with everything going on with the war in Ukraine, but she assured me that she was Russian and that everything would be fine,” the man told a Los Angeles newspaper.
The national security spokesman for the White HouseJohn Kirby, said Khavana’s conviction and sentence was “nothing less than a vengeful cruelty” Kirby added that there are US officials working to gain consular access to Khavana. “We’re talking about $50,” Kirby added. “To call that treason is absolutely ridiculous“.
Russia has repressed fiercely dissent and has approved laws that criminalize criticism of its aggression against Ukraine and comments considered to discredit the Russian Army from the beginning of the large scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Karelina’s conviction comes after the recent prisoner exchange between Moscow, Washington and other Western allies, the largest since the Cold War, which included American journalist Evan Gershkovichconvicted of espionage in March of last year.
