Information
A Russian court sentenced US-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina to 12 years in prison on charges of “treason” after she allegedly donated around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity. Karelina, a 32-year-old ballerina who had been living in Los Angeles, was arrested while visiting family in Yekaterinburg in January. The Russian FSB claimed that the funds she collected were used to purchase supplies and equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces. Karelina reportedly pleaded guilty to the charges last week, according to Russian state media.
This sentencing occurs amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Just two weeks prior, Russia released 16 prisoners with US and other Western citizenships in a major prisoner swap, the largest since the Cold War. The case of Karelina, along with others involving Western citizens, highlights ongoing concerns that Russia is imprisoning foreigners on questionable charges to use them as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So what
I guess following the large prisoner exchange that occurred a few weeks ago Russia is in need of some new prisoners for bargaining. Though this charge seems quite straightforward when compared to previous political prisoners, it is similar to what would happen to people who are caught raising money for terror groups in the West. Of note around this is some reporting about Russia initiating talks to exchange prisoners for the first time in the conflict, following the capture of some FSB units during Ukraine’s attack on Kursk. It could be possible Russia plans to use Karelina to pressure Ukraine into a trade for these forces.
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