Russia sentences US-Russian woman to 12 years
Ksenia Karelina was charged with treason after donating money to a US non-profit that supported Ukrainian humanitarian efforts. (Photo via AP)
A Russian court has sentenced Ksenia Khavana, an American-Russian dual national, to 12 years in prison on charges of treason. Khavana, who was convicted for allegedly raising money for the Ukrainian military, was sentenced following her guilty plea last week.
The charges were linked to a $51 (£40) donation made to a U.S. charity that supports Ukraine, according to the rights group First Department.
Background of the case
Khavana, also known by her birth name Karelina, was arrested in February in the city of Ekaterinburg. The Russian federal security service accused her of “proactively collecting money in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organisations,” stating that the funds were used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Khavana reportedly obtained U.S. citizenship after marrying an American and relocating to Los Angeles. She had returned to Russia to visit her family before her arrest.
Recent high-profile releases
Earlier this month, Russia released several U.S. nationals and prominent opposition figures as part of the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War in Ankara, Türkiye.
Among those released were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, American corporate security executive Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe.
