A former ballerina with American citizenship was been detained in Russia and accused of “high treason.”
Videos of Ksenia Karelina being led into a courtroom while handcuffed and blindfolded were released by the Russian media. The date of her court appearance is unknown.
Karelina was reportedly arrested in January outside of a movie theater in Yekaterinburg – the same city where journalist Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal was arrested in 2023. Her arrest also reportedly took place on the same day Tucker Carlson filmed his interview with Vladimir Putin.
The 33-year-old dancer was born in Russia but resides in Los Angeles. She became an American citizen in 2021, retaining dual citizenship, and married an American man in the summer of 2023. In some reports, she has been identified as Ksenia (Karelina) Khavana.
Karelina was reportedly back in Russia, where she graduated from university, to visit family.
“We are aware of the case. We are seeking consular assistance. That has not yet been granted,” said Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller when asked about Karelina’s detention at a press briefing on Feb. 20. “We’re at a limit what more we can say because – with respect – because of privacy laws.”
“And I will just say generally, as I think you are aware, Russia – when it comes to dual citizens of the United States and Russia or of dual citizens of any other country and Russia – Russia does not recognize dual citizenship and considers them to be Russian citizens, first and foremost,” Miller added. “So oftentimes, we have a difficult time getting consular assistance but we will pursue it.”
According to The Daily Mail, Karelina was initially charged with “petty hooliganism” or violating public order and sentenced to 14 days detention before the more serious charges were filed against her.
“The dancer is accused of fundraising for a Ukrainian military cause. She is specifically accused of transferring $51.80 from American bank account to Ukrainian charity based in NYC, Razom, on the day Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022,” reports the outlet. “The ballerina has also been accused of attending 'public rallies in support of the Kyiv regime,' in the US.”
Karelina has been denied bail by a court in Yekaterinburg and filed an appeal on Feb. 19, reports Forbes.
A treason sentence in Russia is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
In addition to Gershkovich, several Americans are currently detained in Russia. Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage and is considered to be wrongfully detained by the United States. Pennsylvania school teacher Marc Fogel was arrested in August of 2021 for possession of marijuana, which an American doctor had prescribed him for medical use. Fogel is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence. Additionally, Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual American-Russian journalist employed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was taken into Russian custody in June.
The Biden administration agreed to swap convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the Merchant of Death, for WBNA player Brittney Griner in December of 2022. Griner was arrested for bringing marijuana into the country in February 2022 and sentenced to nine years in prison in June 2022.
