Russian-American Sentenced for Treason Over Ukraine Donation

A Russian court sentenced Ksenia Karelina, a dual Russian-American citizen, to 12 years in prison for treason. Karelina was convicted for donating money to a charity supporting Ukraine. Her lawyer plans to appeal and seek her inclusion in a prisoner exchange. The U.S. Embassy has committed to assisting her.

A Russian court sentenced dual Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina to 12 years in prison for treason on Thursday. Karelina, who resides in Los Angeles and works as a spa worker, was found guilty of donating money to a charity supporting Ukraine. She pleaded guilty at her closed trial in Yekaterinburg, the Urals city where her case was heard.

The court's investigators revealed that on Feb. 24, 2022, the first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Karelina transferred funds to a Ukrainian organization. Her supporters claim she donated $51.80 to Razom for Ukraine, a New York-based charity providing humanitarian aid. The charity denies providing military support to Kyiv.

Karelina appeared calm in court and plans to appeal the sentence. Her lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, aims to include her in a future prisoner exchange. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow stated its commitment to assisting its citizens abroad. Karelina was interrogated by authorities upon her arrival in Russia and arrested for hooliganism shortly before being charged with state treason.