Information
Russian authorities in the Ural mountain city of Yekaterinburg have arrested a US-Russian dual national on treason charges, the state-owned TASS media outlet said Tuesday. “The Federal Security Service (FSB) in Yekaterinburg suppressed the illegal activities of a 33-year-old resident of Los Angeles, who has dual citizenship of Russia and the United States,” TASS reported. The news agency did not provide information regarding the name of the woman, but said she was “involved in providing financial assistance to a foreign state.” The crime of treason carries a hefty punishment of up to 20 years in jail in Russia. TASS posted video footage of a woman with a white hat pulled over her eyes being handcuffed. She had reportedly been collecting money for a Ukrainian organization since February 2022, which was, in turn, helping the Ukrainian military. Russia first launched its invasion of Ukraine, which it calls a “special operation,” on February 24, 2022.
Source: AFP, Reuters
Assessment
If it is true that this lady was collecting money for Ukrainian charity while living in Russia then it is likely they will make a large show out of it, call her an agent of the US spreading fake information through Russia etc etc etc. However, it is also likely that these are trumped-up charges using fake accounts to publicly justify her arrest, allowing the Kremlin to claim another bargaining chip for negations with the US. Regardless of the background, it is highly likely that she has now become a pawn in Putin’s game with the US, possibly to be swapped for people detained in the US or as part of other deals relating to Ukraine. It is again evident that it is currently unsafe for any US citizens, dual or sole, to visit Russia without diplomatic protection, with there being a reasonably high chance that you may be arrested arbitrarily to be used as leverage.
Like, share, and subscribe!