Russian prosecutors have requested a 15-year prison sentence for Ksenia Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen accused of treason for donating money to a Ukrainian charity, according to state media reports on Thursday.
Karelina, a 33-year-old ballerina and spa employee from Los Angeles, was arrested in January while visiting her family in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains. She pleaded guilty to the treason charges during a closed hearing on Wednesday, her lawyer Mikhail Mushailov confirmed.
Mushailov revealed that prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison term for Karelina. The final verdict is expected to be announced on August 15. Due to the sensitive nature of treason cases in Russia, these proceedings are conducted behind closed doors. U.S. Consul General Stuart Wilson was denied entry to the hearing, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Independent broadcaster Sotavision noted that Karelina’s case is being overseen by the same judge who recently sentenced U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich to prison for espionage before his release in a prisoner swap.
The charges against Karelina stem from her donation of approximately $50 to Razom, a New York-based charity providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians affected by the conflict, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Razom has since called on U.S. authorities to advocate for Karelina’s release.
Karelina’s case has drawn significant attention, highlighting ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries, and sparking calls for international intervention on her behalf.
