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US ballerina Ksenia Karelina is jailed for 12 years in Russia

Published 2 months ago on Aug 15, 2024

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.

According to the court, Karelina’s donation on February 24, 2022, the first day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was intended to support Ukraine’s military by providing funds for tactical medicine, equipment, and ammunition. However, her supporters, including her current partner and former mother-in-law, have maintained that the donation was meant to aid civilians affected by the conflict, not to support military activities.

International Reaction and Implications

The sentencing of Ksenia Karelina has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and Western governments, who view the case as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated arrests in Russia. Critics argue that the charges against Karelina are baseless and that her sentencing is an attempt by the Russian government to send a message to its citizens and the international community about the consequences of supporting Ukraine.

The U.S. government has also expressed concern over Karelina’s sentencing, with officials calling for her immediate release and condemning the use of treason charges to punish foreign nationals for acts of charity. Washington has accused Moscow of using such cases as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations, a practice that has become increasingly common since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Karelina’s case is reminiscent of other recent high-profile detentions of American citizens in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was convicted of espionage earlier this year. While Gershkovich was included in a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West in July, Karelina was not, leaving her fate uncertain.

The Future for Ksenia Karelina

Karelina’s lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, has indicated that she hopes to be included in a future prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, similar to the one that freed Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. However, until such an exchange occurs, Karelina faces the grim reality of serving her 12-year sentence in a Russian prison.

Her employer, the Ciel Spa at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, has publicly supported her, describing her as “wrongly accused” in a statement posted on social media. Her current partner has also been actively campaigning for her release, appealing to both Russian and American authorities to intervene on her behalf.

As Karelina’s case continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by individuals who find themselves caught in the crossfire of international conflict. For now, Ksenia Karelina remains a symbol of the dangers of political persecution in an increasingly polarized world.

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