Celebrities
US ballerina Ksenia Karelina is jailed for 12 years in Russia
U.S. Ballerina Ksenia Karelina Sentenced to 12 Years in Russian Prison for High Treason Over $51.80 Donation to Ukrainian Charity.
In a shocking and controversial case that has captivated international attention, Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old American ballerina, has been sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison on charges of high treason. The accusation stems from her donation of $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity, which Russian authorities allege was intended to support Ukraine’s military efforts. The sentencing, which took place in the Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the increasing use of treason and espionage charges by Russia against foreign nationals.
Background of the Case
Ksenia Karelina, born in Russia, moved to the United States after marrying an American citizen. She became a U.S. citizen and settled in Los Angeles, where she pursued her career as a ballerina and later worked at a luxury spa in Beverly Hills. In January 2023, Karelina returned to Russia to visit her elderly relatives, including a grandmother in her 90s. However, her visit quickly took a dark turn.
Upon her arrival at Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg, Russian law enforcement officials reportedly searched her phone for any mention of Ukraine. They discovered evidence of a small bank transfer to a New York-based charity, Razom for Ukraine, which provides humanitarian aid to children and elderly people in Ukraine. Although the charity has publicly denied any involvement in providing military support to Kyiv, Russian authorities interpreted Karelina’s donation as an act of treason.
Arrest and Charges
Karelina was initially detained on January 27, 2023, after being invited to a police station under the pretense of questioning. Upon her arrival, she was confronted by officers from the Federal Security Service (FSB), who accused her of making the donation to support Ukraine’s war efforts. Despite her insistence that the donation was purely humanitarian, Karelina was charged with high treason.
The case has drawn parallels to other recent high-profile arrests of foreigners in Russia, where minor charges are often escalated to serious accusations of treason or espionage. The timing of Karelina’s arrest, just weeks after the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, suggests that her case may be part of a broader strategy by Russian authorities to suppress any perceived support for Ukraine within its borders.
The Trial and Sentencing
Karelina’s trial was conducted behind closed doors, a common practice in cases involving charges of treason or espionage. Last week, she pleaded guilty to the charges, a move that some experts believe may have been influenced by the limited legal options available to her and the harsh realities of the Russian judicial system.
On Thursday, August 14, 2024, the Sverdlovsk Regional Court found Karelina guilty of high treason and sentenced her to 12 years in a general regime colony, a type of Russian prison known for its harsh conditions. A video posted by the court showed Karelina standing in a glass defendant's cage, wearing a white top and jeans, as the verdict was read out.
Latest News
U.S. Ballerina Ksenia Karelina Sentenced to 12 Years in Russian Prison for High Treason Over $51.80 Donation to Ukrainian Charity.
In a shocking and controversial case that has captivated international attention, Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old American ballerina, has been sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison on charges of high treason. The accusation stems from her donation of $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity, which Russian authorities allege was intended to support Ukraine’s military efforts. The sentencing, which took place in the Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the increasing use of treason and espionage charges by Russia against foreign nationals.
Background of the Case
Ksenia Karelina, born in Russia, moved to the United States after marrying an American citizen. She became a U.S. citizen and settled in Los Angeles, where she pursued her career as a ballerina and later worked at a luxury spa in Beverly Hills. In January 2023, Karelina returned to Russia to visit her elderly relatives, including a grandmother in her 90s. However, her visit quickly took a dark turn.
Upon her arrival at Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg, Russian law enforcement officials reportedly searched her phone for any mention of Ukraine. They discovered evidence of a small bank transfer to a New York-based charity, Razom for Ukraine, which provides humanitarian aid to children and elderly people in Ukraine. Although the charity has publicly denied any involvement in providing military support to Kyiv, Russian authorities interpreted Karelina’s donation as an act of treason.
Arrest and Charges
Karelina was initially detained on January 27, 2023, after being invited to a police station under the pretense of questioning. Upon her arrival, she was confronted by officers from the Federal Security Service (FSB), who accused her of making the donation to support Ukraine’s war efforts. Despite her insistence that the donation was purely humanitarian, Karelina was charged with high treason.
The case has drawn parallels to other recent high-profile arrests of foreigners in Russia, where minor charges are often escalated to serious accusations of treason or espionage. The timing of Karelina’s arrest, just weeks after the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, suggests that her case may be part of a broader strategy by Russian authorities to suppress any perceived support for Ukraine within its borders.
The Trial and Sentencing
Karelina’s trial was conducted behind closed doors, a common practice in cases involving charges of treason or espionage. Last week, she pleaded guilty to the charges, a move that some experts believe may have been influenced by the limited legal options available to her and the harsh realities of the Russian judicial system.
On Thursday, August 14, 2024, the Sverdlovsk Regional Court found Karelina guilty of high treason and sentenced her to 12 years in a general regime colony, a type of Russian prison known for its harsh conditions. A video posted by the court showed Karelina standing in a glass defendant's cage, wearing a white top and jeans, as the verdict was read out.
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