Ksenia Karelina (born 1991) is a Russian-American ballet dancer who has been imprisoned for treason by the Russian government.[1][2] The FSB accused Karelina of taking part in "public actions to support the Kyiv regime"[3] for donating $51.80 to a charity supporting Ukraine. She was originally facing life in prison as a result, but was instead sentenced to 12 years.[4][5] Karelina was not released as part of the extensive 2024 Russian prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States.[6]
Ksenia Karelina | |
|---|---|
Ксения Карелина | |
| Born | 1991 (age 32–33) |
| Citizenship | Russia United States |
| Alma mater | Ural Federal University |
| Occupation | Ballet dancer |
| Criminal charges | Treason |
| Criminal penalty | 12 years imprisonment |
| Criminal status | Serving prison sentence |
Early life
editKarelina was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia.[7] Karelina emigrated to the United States in 2012 and became a citizen in 2021.[8] She resided in Los Angeles.[9]
Arrest and conviction
editKarelina was arrested in early 2024 while visiting her family in Yekaterinburg and charged with treason by the Russian government for sending $51.80 to Razom, a New York City-based nonprofit organization that sends humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. She made a single transfer on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Razom denied claims by Russia's FSB that it collects money for weapons and ammunition.[10] Her boyfriend Chris Van Heerden said he does not understand how Russian authorities knew about her donation, adding that Karelina believed she was in no danger before traveling to Russia.[11]
Her trial began on June 20, 2024 and she admitted guilt on August 7.[12] On August 15, 2024, she was sentenced by the regional courts of Sverdlovsk and Yekaterinburg to 12 years in prison.[10] Karelina was sentenced by Judge Andrei Mineev, the same judge who previously sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Nechepurenko, Ivan (20 February 2024). "Russia Arrests U.S. Citizen, Accusing Her of Treason by Aiding Ukraine". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
- ^ "Russia Arrests Dual U.S. Citizen on Accusations of Treason". TIME. February 20, 2024.
- ^ Edwards, Christian (2024-06-20). "Russian court begins hearing treason case against US-Russian citizen". CNN. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ Troianovski, Anton; Nechepurenko, Ivan (2024-08-15). "Russia Sentences U.S. Citizen to 12 Years in Prison on Treason Charges". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
- ^ Clayton, Victoria (9 March 2024). "Treason charges after $50 for Ukraine: desperate battle to free LA ballerina held in Russia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Troianovski, Anton; Nechepurenko, Ivan (2024-08-15). "Russia Sentences U.S. Citizen to 12 Years in Prison on Treason Charges". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
- ^ "Treason trial of Russian American woman opens as tensions rise between Washington and Moscow". Associated Press. Moscow. June 20, 2024.
- ^ "U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina pleads guilty to treason, state media says". Reuters. Yekaterinburg. August 7, 2024.
- ^ a b "Russian court gives 12-year treason sentence to Russian-American over $50 charity donation". CNN. August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ksenia Karelina: US-Russian woman jailed in Russia for 12 years for treason". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Boyfriend of L.A. ballerina Ksenia Karelina, sentenced to prison in Russia, "begging American people to help"". CBS News. August 15, 2024.
- ^ Stapleton, Ivana Kottasová, AnneClaire (2024-08-07). "Russian-American woman admits guilt in treason case, Russian state media reports". CNN. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
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