Ksenia Karelina: LA ballerina held in Russia jail for treason ‘admits guilt’ for giving $51 to Ukraine charity, lawyer says | EUROtoday

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Ksenia Karelina, an American-Russian novice ballet dancer accused of committing treason towards Russia for donating slightly greater than $50 to a Ukrainian charity within the US, has admitted “guilt” in her case, in response to Russia state information company TASS.

Karelina, 33, is a twin nationwide American and Russian. She was detained in Yekaterinburg earlier this 12 months whereas she was within the nation visiting her grandparents. Recently-released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was additionally arrested on espionage costs whereas he was visiting Yekaterinburg.

Russian officers accused the dancer of donating $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity whereas she was within the US. She made the donation the day that Russia invaded Ukraine.

Prosecutors wish to jail her for 15 years, accusing her of gathering cash for Ukraine to make use of to buy tactical navy provides. The group Karelina donated to — Razom for Ukraine — is predicated in New York and is a non-profit group that gives non-military assist to Ukraine.

Karelina’s lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, mentioned a 15-year sentence — which might place her in a penal colony — was too extreme for the character of her infraction, and argued her cooperation within the investigation ought to earn her some good will within the court docket.

The announcement comes on the heels of the biggest prisoner change between Russia and the West because the Cold War. Karelina was prohibited from collaborating in that change as a result of a closing ruling had but to be made in her case.

Mushailov advised reporters on Thursday that when a verdict was reached her authorized staff would start working towards together with her in a future prisoner swap.

Karelina lives in Los Angeles and works at a spa and as an novice ballerina. She turned a US citizen in 2021. Since her arrest, her companion, Chris Van Heerden, has been campaigning for her launch.

“I believe America will bring her back to me,” Van Heerden advised CNN earlier this 12 months.

The couple had been vacationing in Istanbul simply earlier than her journey. Van Heerden returned to the US, whereas Karelina continued to Russia to see her household.

“I thought it might be dangerous for her to go, with everything going on with the war in Ukraine, but she reassured me that she was Russian and that everything would be fine.” he told the Los Angeles Times in February. “So, for her birthday in December, I bought her a ticket. She was so excited. Now, I am hitting myself over the head about it.”

US officers didn’t study of her arrest till February 8.

Karelina detainment and trial coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s newest efforts to crack down on dissent inside his borders.

In April, Putin signed a decree growing the utmost sentence for treason costs to life in jail. Previously probably the most anybody may serve for treason was 20 years.