Eleonora Srebroski/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
American Ksenia Karelina, 33, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday, August 15th, 2024 for a $52 donation to a U.S.-based charity. Russian intelligence services accused her of providing aid to the Ukrainian military.
Karelina was found guilty of “high treason” in February for a donation she made while in the U.S. She holds dual U.S.-Russian citizenship, and had returned to Russia to visit family. The Russian Security Service alleged Karelina’s donation was used to “purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons, and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.” Police found evidence of the donation in January after confiscating and searching her phone.
According to the Associated Press, Khavana, a ballerina, moved to the U.S. to study at the
University of Maryland in Baltimore, and obtained U.S. citizenship after marrying an American spouse. She moved to Los Angeles after her studies and is employed at Ciel Spa at the SLS Beverly Hills.
Isabella Kortez, owner of Ciel Spa at the SLS Beverly Hills, said Khavana collected and donated funds to U.S.-based non-profit Razom for Ukraine. Razom for Ukraine provides medical supplies and disaster relief for civilians affected by the ongoing war.
White House National Security Advisor John Kirby said White House and State Department officials are ‘working to gain access to Khavana and called the sentence “vindictive cruelty.” ’
Khavana’s attorney said Khavana admitted to transferring the money, but she did not believe it was intended for anti-Russian activities. He plans to appeal the verdict.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine concerns have risen over the safety of Americans traveling to the country. The U.S. State Department renewed a travel advisory in June urging Americans traveling or residing in Russia to leave immediately.
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It’s her fault for donating to an anti-Russia group and then going to Russia. She might be college educated. But common sense went completely over her head.
Donations and other internet activity should not be public knowledge. I don’t blame her for not knowing that they would or could break into her phone to collect personal information.
You can blame her or whoever you want. Fact remains that her treasonous actions led her to be detained in Russia. Ipso facto, Russia doesn’t abide by the Bill of Rights or the Constitution.
I don’t think it’s her fault for not realizing that the Russian government wanted to, could, and would hack her phone to retrieve records of private internet activity.
The US does it, why wouldn’t Russia? Anyone who is tech literate knows everything you do online is tracked and recorded by multiple governments
I just don’t understand why people think they can poke the Bear with no consequences. Yes, I feel sorry for her, but you don’t donate to an anti-Russian group and expect everything to be fine. Bad enough Griner thought it was ok to have drugs there and not expect any repercussions. With many Americans being arrested there for allegedly spying it should be a wakeup call for most, it may not be safe to travel to Russia at this time.