American-Russian Dual Citizen Sentenced for Ukraine Donation

A Russian court sentenced dual Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina to 12 years in prison for treason after she donated money to a Ukrainian charity. Her trial was closed, and she pleaded guilty. Karelina, who recently acquired American citizenship, was apprehended while visiting family in Russia.

A Russian court has sentenced Ksenia Karelina, a dual Russian-American citizen, to 12 years in prison for treason following her donation to a Ukrainian charity. Authorities alleged that the funds were used for military purposes.

Karelina, who pleaded guilty in a closed trial, was arrested by the FSB security service while visiting family in Yekaterinburg. The court noted that she had transferred funds on the first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Despite claims from her supporters that the donation was for humanitarian aid, Karelina's conviction follows a series of similar high-profile cases. She has not been designated as 'wrongfully detained' by the U.S., limiting diplomatic efforts for her release.