Harvard Scientist Charged in Frog Embryo Smuggling Case

Russian-born scientist Kseniia Petrova faces criminal charges for allegedly smuggling frog embryo samples into the U.S. Held in detention since February, she's accused amid Trump-era deportation efforts. Petrova's transfer to criminal custody, and her impending deportation to Russia, follow her protests against Russia's war in Ukraine.

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born research associate at Harvard University, has been charged with attempting to smuggle frog embryo samples into the United States. The charges were announced by federal prosecutors in Boston, shortly after a Vermont judge heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by Petrova regarding her detention.

Following the charges, Petrova was relocated from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody to a local Louisiana jail. Her attorney, Gregory Romanovsky, criticized the timing of the move, which came before a scheduled bail hearing. He described the charges as meritless and an attempt to portray her as a criminal.

Petrova was initially detained in February amid the Trump administration's increased deportation efforts. Before the charges, officials indicated plans to deport her, despite her fear of returning to Russia due to her opposition to its war in Ukraine. Prosecutors allege she brought biological materials into the U.S. without declaring them, a claim her defense argues against.

(With inputs from agencies.)