Russian authorities have detained a ballerina from Los Angeles who they are saying is suspected of treason, over claims she took half in fundraising for Ukraine.
Kseniya Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina, is being held by Russia, a senior US official advised Sky News’s US associate NBC News.
The 33-year-old turned a US citizen in 2021, the US official stated.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated the girl, who it didn’t title, had been “involved in providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of our country”, since 2022.
She collected cash that was spent on drugs, gear, weapons and ammunition within the Ukrainian struggle effort, the assertion stated.
Treason is punishable in Russia by as much as 20 years in jail. Ms Karelina is at present detained beneath a pre-trial custody order.
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The White House stated it was conscious of the reported arrest and was in search of extra data.
Ms Karelina entered Russia on 2 January and the US realized on 8 February that she had been arrested, a US official advised NBC News.
Razom for Ukraine, an American charity that claims it offers “humanitarian aid, disaster relief, education and advocacy” in Ukraine, stated it was “appalled” by studies of the arrest.
Ms Karelina reportedly made a donation to the charity after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however the charity advised NBC it didn’t share details about its donors.
Footage shared by Russian state-owned information company Ria Novosti confirmed officers handcuffing a girl whose face was obscured by a hat pulled over her eyes and escorting her to what gave the impression to be a courtroom holding cell.
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National Security Council spokesman John Kirby advised reporters he couldn’t remark a lot on the case, however that it was harmful for US residents or twin residents to be in Russia.
“If you’re a US citizen, including a dual national, residing in or travelling in Russia, you ought to leave right now if you can,” Mr Kirby stated. “Just depart immediately.”
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated at a briefing on Tuesday that the US was in search of consular help, nevertheless it had not but been granted.
As Russia doesn’t recognise twin citizenship and “considers them to be Russian citizens first and foremost”, securing consular help could possibly be tough, he stated.
Source: information.sky.com”