Book Online or Call 1-855-SAUSALITO

Sign In  |  Register  |  About Sausalito  |  Contact Us

Sausalito, CA
September 01, 2020 1:41pm
7-Day Forecast | Traffic
  • Search Hotels in Sausalito

  • CHECK-IN:
  • CHECK-OUT:
  • ROOMS:

American ballerina left out of Russia prisoner swap pleads guilty to treason: report

Ksenia Karelina, who was detained in February, has made her first court appearance since last week's prisoner swap deal between the West and Russia.

A U.S.-Russian ballerina who was not part of last week’s massive prisoner swap between Russia and the West has pleaded guilty Wednesday to a treason charge, reports say. 

Ksenia Karelina made her first appearance in Russian court in Yekaterinburg since the Aug. 1 release of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, according to Reuters. 

Karelina, a dual-citizen, lives in Los Angeles but was detained while visiting family in Russia in February. Authorities claim that Karelina raised money for the Ukrainian army and took part in "public actions" that supported Ukraine while in the U.S. 

Karelina’s lawyer said Wednesday that she has entered a guilty plea and a verdict in the case is expected to be announced Thursday, Reuters is reporting, citing Russian state media. 

WHO WAS INVOLVED IN RUSSIA PRISONER SWAP: AN ASSASSIN, HACKER, SUSPECTED SPIES AND MORE 

She reportedly told her boyfriend that Russia was safe, and he had no reason to fear her visiting, according to her former mother-in-law Eleonora Sreborski.  

While in Russia earlier this year, authorities reportedly examined Karelina’s phone, producing photos that appear to show her at an anti-Putin and anti-war protest in Los Angeles, where she was holding a sign declaring, "We want peace."  

One pro-Putin news outlet indicated that the charge related to money she sent to a Ukrainian charity – a total sum of $51.80 – claiming "she understood where and what she was sending."  

FLASHBACK: BOYFRIEND OF AMERICAN BALLERINA DETAINED IN RUSSIA SAYS PRISONER EXCHANGE IS ‘ONLY BET’ TO BRING HER HOME 

Sreborski had claimed that Karelina donated, but that it was to Razom for Ukraine, which sends non-military aid to the country.  

Karelina, shortly after her arrest, tried to appeal her case, but the court rejected the motion and extended her pre-trial detention, which took place in a Siberian jail.  

If found guilty, she would face a sentence of 12 years to life in prison, Reuters reports. 

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
 
 
Photos copyright by Jay Graham Photographer
Copyright © 2010-2020 Sausalito.com & California Media Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.