On August 15, 2024, a Russian court sentenced Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old Russian-American citizen, to 12 years in a penal colony for ‘high treason’. The conviction stems from a $51.80 donation Karelina made to ‘Razom for Ukraine’, a New York-based charity, on February 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine.According to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the funds were used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, and potentially weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces. However, Karelina’s supporters claim she intended the donation purely for humanitarian aid to children and elderly people in Ukraine.Karelina, a former ballet dancer who emigrated to the US in 2012 and became a citizen in 2021, was arrested in January 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg. Initially detained for ‘petty hooliganism’, she was later charged with treason after authorities allegedly searched her phone.The case has raised concerns among US officials, who accuse Russia of arresting American citizens on baseless charges to use them as bargaining chips in potential prisoner exchanges. This sentencing comes just two weeks after a significant prisoner swap between Russia and the West.Karelina’s lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, plans to appeal the verdict, disputing the court’s claim that his client fully admitted to the charges. He expressed hope that Karelina might be included in a future prisoner exchange.
Key points
- Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American citizen, sentenced to 12 years for treason in Russia.
- The conviction is based on a $51.
- The case raises concerns about Russia targeting dual citizens for political leverage.
- Karelina’s lawyer plans to appeal and hopes for her inclusion in a future prisoner exchange.
80 donation to a Ukrainian charity, which Russia claims supported military efforts.
Contradictions👾Some sources report the donation amount as $51.
80, while others state $50 or €47.
👾There are conflicting reports about whether Karelina fully admitted to the charges or only to sending money without knowing its purpose.
