Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national accused of treason for allegedly raising money for the Ukrainian military, plead guilty to treason, Russian state-run news agency TASS claimed on Aug. 7.
Karelina’s lawyer Mikhail Mushailov told TASS that his client admitted to the charge.
Karelina, a 33-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was arrested in Russia earlier this year while visiting her grandparents. Authorities charged her with treason on the grounds that she donated $51.80 to the nonprofit organization Razom for Ukraine.
Karelina was not included in a major prisoner exchange that occurred on Aug. 1, which included 10 prisoners transferred to Russia, 13 prisoners transported to Germany, and three handed over to the United States. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza were all released as part of the swap.
Karelina's trial began June 20 in the Sverdlovsk regional court and was held behind closed doors. The next hearing date is scheduled for Aug. 8, according to TASS.
Razom for Ukraine said on Feb. 20 that it was "appalled by reports that a U.S.-Russian dual national has been arrested by Russian authorities for purportedly making a charitable donation" to the organization.
Karelina will face up to 12 years in prison during sentencing.
Martin Fornusek
