A Russian court last Thursday rejected an appeal by a Russian-American woman against her detention on a treason charge. This decision is based on reports from the court by Reuters and ABC News. The defendant, Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old dual citizen of Russia and the United States, was arrested on January 27 and is now detained in a jail in Yekaterinburg, awaiting her trial for treason.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that Karelina was detained on suspicion of raising money for a Ukrainian charity that supports Ukraine’s armed forces. A group of Russian lawyers, named Pervy Otdel, also indicated that Karelina had donated over $50 from her U.S. bank account, coincidently on the same day that Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
The hearing of the appeal against the arrest was originally scheduled for February 20. Still, it was postponed to February 29 due to the absence of her lawyer. Although Karelina’s lawyer requested the court to set aside her detention and instead place her under house arrest, The Sverdlovsk Regional Court extended her pre-trial detention until April 6.
According to Article 275 of the Russian criminal code, high treason includes assisting a foreign state or organization in activities detrimental to the external security of the Russian Federation, committed by a Russian citizen. It carries a hefty penalty, which includes imprisonment for a period between 12 to 20 years, with or without a fine. Given her dual citizenship, Karelina could face the maximum sentence of 20 years.
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby has advised U.S. citizens, including dual nationals living in or planning to travel to Russia, to leave the country immediately in response to Karelina’s arrest. Additionally, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, mentioned that U.S. Embassy officials in Moscow were working to learn more about Karelina’s situation and gain access to her.
In an interview with ABC News, Karelina’s boyfriend, Chris Van Herdeen, shared a letter he had received from her. Herdeen also launched a campaign for Karelina’s freedom and posted a heartfelt message, hoping for Karelina’s release and return to the U.S.