American Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Russian Prison for ‘Treason’ Following $50 Donation to Ukraine War Effort

An American woman is facing the possibility of up to 20 years in a Russian jail for allegedly donating $50 to an organization that supports the Ukrainian army.

Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old woman, has been charged with “high treason” and was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Yekaterinburg, a city in central Urals.

This incident adds to the growing concern that foreign nationals, particularly Americans, are being used as bargaining chips by Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia. Last year, Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested on espionage charges, which he, his employer, and the US government vehemently denied.

According to the FSB, Ms. Karelina is accused of collecting funds that were used to purchase tactical medical items, equipment, means of destruction, and ammunition. She allegedly sent just over $50 to Razom for Ukraine, a non-profit human rights organization based in New York. Additionally, she is accused of actively participating in public events in support of Ukraine in the US.

The FSB claims that Ms. Karelina’s actions were against the security of Russia. She was detained during a visit to Russia to see her parents, as she currently resides in Los Angeles and obtained US citizenship in 2021. It has been noted that she attended the Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg, based on her social media profiles.

The number of treason cases in Russia has been steadily increasing since the invasion of Ukraine, according to Perviy Otdel, a group of Russian lawyers specializing in politically charged cases.

A video released by the Russian state news agency Tass shows Ms. Karelina being handcuffed while wearing a cream puffer jacket and a white hat pulled down over her eyes. She is accompanied by a man in military camouflage, presumably a Russian soldier. The video also shows her being escorted into a car and later appearing behind bars in what appears to be a courtroom. In a subsequent image, her hat is removed, revealing her brown hair with blonde highlights tied up in a bun.

Meanwhile, the Moscow City Court has rejected an appeal against detention filed by Mr. Gershkovich’s lawyers. The journalist, who was arrested while reporting in Yekaterinburg and is accused of espionage, will remain in custody for at least a year before his trial.


Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/20/russian-secret-service-arrest-american-woman-high-treason/