Ksenia Karelina now faces treason charges for allegedly transferring $51.80.
Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old ballet dancer with dual US-Russian citizenship, was detained in Russia on suspicion of treason. Officials in Moscow claimed that she donated $51 to the Ukrainian war effort through the Ukrainian organization Razom, which allegedly benefited the country’s military. Ms. Karelina reportedly appeared in court blindfolded and wearing shackles. business insider.
Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claims“Since February 2022, she has been actively raising funds for the benefit of a Ukrainian organization, funds that were subsequently used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to purchase tactical medicines, equipment, weapons and ammunition.”
According to the agency, “Furthermore, the citizen participated in numerous public actions in support of the Kiev regime while in the United States.” moscow times.
Ms. Karelina, who runs a spa in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, was reportedly first arrested on January 27 in her hometown of Yekaterinburg. The local police accused her of using offensive language in public and committing “hooligan behavior.” Court officials reported that Ms. Karelina used vulgar language and behaved rudely and aggressively in front of other citizens. When police were called, Karelina allegedly became more agitated, ignored their orders and violently resisted arrest.
Subsequently, on January 29, she was sentenced to 14 days in prison for hooliganism. Although a complaint was filed the next day regarding her arrest, the court dismissed the request. She subsequently faced charges under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, which carries a possible sentence of 12 years to life in prison.
Ms. Karelina’s former mother-in-law, Eleonora Srebroski, told the media new york post, “We are all shocked. She is just a wonderful soul. She would never do anything bad to anyone.” “Knowing Ksenia, she would never do anything criminal. Her parents recently divorced and she Wanted to see the family,” Ms. Srebrowski said. “She should be back by now. My son called her and we were all shocked when we found out what had happened. This morning he told me ‘let’s think about what we can do to help her.’ “We don’t want to cause her any trouble.”
Ksenia Karelina now faces treason charges for allegedly transferring $51.80 from a U.S. bank account to Razom. According to its available information, the organization states that its mission is to “contribute to the creation of a secure, prosperous and democratic Ukraine.” website.
Treason charges in Russia carry serious consequences and carry heavy prison sentences. Since 2023, a total of 63 people have been prosecuted for treason, of which 37 were found guilty.
