Ksenia Karelina, an amateur ballerina with dual American and Russian citizenship, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Russian court on charges of treason. The verdict comes after Karelina made a donation of $51 (£39) to a charity supporting Ukraine.
Karelina, who had been living in Los Angeles and became a US citizen in 2021, was arrested in January while visiting family in Yekaterinburg, a city located approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Moscow. She pleaded guilty last week in a trial held behind closed doors.
The court in Yekaterinburg sentenced Karelina to 12 years in a general regime penal colony, following prosecutors’ request for a 15-year term. She was found guilty of high treason, accused by Russia’s FSB security service of financing a Ukrainian organization that allegedly supports the Ukrainian military.
The charity in question, Razom, which Karelina supported, expressed its shock at the ruling. Razom, which provides aid to Ukraine, condemned the charges against Karelina as unjust.
Karelina’s trial took place in the same court where Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was tried on espionage charges. Gershkovich was recently released as part of a significant prisoner swap involving the US and other countries.
Her boyfriend, boxer Chris van Heerden, described the trial as distressing. “I could not for the life of me put myself in her shoes and just even imagine what she is going through,” he said.
The harsh sentence has sparked international concern and criticism, highlighting the severe consequences faced by individuals involved in charitable activities perceived as supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
