Russian-American ballet Dancer, Faces 15-year Prison Term for $51 Donation
In a harrowing turn of events, Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballet dancer, faces a severe 15-year prison sentence in Russia. Her crime? Donating a mere $51 to a pro-Ukraine charity. This seemingly small act of compassion has led to charges of treason, highlighting the extreme measures taken by the Russian government to suppress any form of dissent or support for Ukraine.
Karelina, who has dual citizenship in the United States and Russia, was detained in Yekaterinburg while visiting family. The arrest, which took place in February, came shortly after her arrival in Russia. The charges stem from her donation to Razom, a New York-based charity that provides non-military aid to Ukraine. Russian prosecutors allege that the funds were used to purchase tactical supplies for the Ukrainian army, a claim that has been met with widespread disbelief and condemnation.
Her lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, has criticized the severity of the proposed sentence, emphasizing Karelina’s cooperation with the investigation. Despite her guilty plea, Mushailov argues that a 15-year sentence in a penal colony is disproportionate to the nature of her actions. He also noted that Karelina could not be included in a recent prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, as her verdict had not yet been finalized.
The timing of Karelina’s trial is particularly significant, coming just after the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War. This exchange saw 24 individuals from various countries, including US journalist Evan Gershkovich, released in a complex swap. The exclusion of Karelina from this exchange has left her supporters, including her partner Chris Van Heerden, feeling despondent but determined to fight for her release.
Van Heerden has been vocal about the injustice faced by his girlfriend. He recounted how Karelina, confident in her Russian heritage, believed she would be safe traveling to Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Her arrest has shattered that confidence and plunged her into a legal nightmare.
The crackdown on dissent in Russia has intensified since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. President Vladimir Putin has increased the maximum sentence for treason to life imprisonment, reflecting the government’s hardline stance against any perceived support for Ukraine. This has created a perilous environment for individuals like Karelina, whose benign actions are interpreted as threats to national security.
The case has drawn international attention and condemnation. Human rights groups and legal experts argue that Karelina’s donation to a humanitarian cause should not be equated with treason. The harsh response from the Russian authorities is seen as part of a broader strategy to silence critics and deter any support for Ukraine.
As Karelina awaits her sentencing, her future hangs in the balance. The ballet dancer, who had built a life in Los Angeles and gained American citizenship in 2021, now faces the prospect of spending the next 15 years in a Russian penal colony. Her plight serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, and the devastating impact these tensions can have on individuals caught in the crossfire.
ACZ Staff: The extremism of a totalitarian government comes into play, as human rights are trampled in this case. 15 years for a $51 donation? Absurd…tragic. But we see some of the same in the U.S. Did you know there are some still in prison from the Jan 6, 2021 protests, who have not even been charged yet?
“ACZ Staff: The extremism of a totalitarian government comes into play, as human rights are trampled in this case. 15 years for a $51 donation? Absurd…tragic. But we see some of the same in the U.S. Did you know there are some still in prison from the Jan 6, 2021 protests, who have not even been charged yet?”
Exsqueeze me? ACZ? Staff? Some still in prison? Not charged? Got better source than ACA? Got name for ACZ? Got list of these prisoners, when they were arrested, and how long in jail? Because they are still arresting people so some have to be not in court yet. Heck, the trials are still underway. There was a backlog because so many white male Republican criminals and so little time. I mean we don’t want to waste taxpayer dollars on overtime for these schmucks, do we?
And no fucking way in hell can you equate US and Russian laws and legal systems. No commonality. No way. She is innocent. They are criminals. Start with that difference.
Boy are you among the nuts, they think the vice president and her cohort vice president to be if by God she wins are not part of the same. Look at how these man has been keep in jail not even a Trial date given them.She at please had a trial which most likely wasn’t honest one and was given a sentence. Hate to tell you people, but this is what we’re looking at. Hollywood personnel keeps telling you how they leave if Trump wins well I’m one is ready to leave my beloved country if they win because it will not be our beloved country, it will be socialist, which is the next step the communist. To read the history of England after the second world war they try to put socialist into their system. It worked for 2 to 3 years and they found out it wasn’t what they thought it was and they redid their government. I pray every night every day that God and his wisdom will grant us , a present and office that has a business sense and runs our country as a business not as their play toy so they can get more money and go on more vacations at the expense of the people who can’t even go away for a weekend because of the economy, not Trump the Democrats.
Nancy, glad to share thoughts, think you need to slow down a bit, your English is a bit rough, so I hope I understand what you are trying to say.
First, I just asked some questions and noted that US legal system is vastly different than Russia’s and Gilbertson really can’t compare the two unless as apples n oranges.
Second, you all claim there are 1.6.2001 insurrectionists on ice with no trial date. I cannot find them so I asked for a list. I know the court was backlogged with too many of these cases. I know we are still arresting folks. But I don’t see a list of who’s being held without trial, for how long.
I really doubt anyone is leaving the country based on the Presidential election. It’s actually harder than one thinks to move family and assets over the border. The US tends to want to keep your money for taxes, I guess.
While communism is socialism of sorts, there is no proof that socialism leads to communism and lots of proof that it doesn’t. Can you say Europe?
I looked up England and indeed the Labor Party booted Churchill in 1945 and then was booted in 1951. They rose on the backs, supposedly, of the Stalinist successes. However, even though they fell, they created a number of socialist programs including the National Health Service, welfare services and nationalized a few industries like coal. In 1987, coal was privatized again, but the NHS and welfare continue, and that’s my point.
Similarly, much of Europe tilted towards socialism, even in the 90’s it was a rallying cry of fear for our conservatives. Most of these countries went back to capitalism while retaining a number of socialist programs, and that too, is my point.
America has had socialist programs since our beginning. We may favor capitalism; I know I do. But you have known, and loved, many a US socialist program. Go to the library — socialism. Ben Franklin’s library for criminy’s sake. Hey, don’t cross that socialist bridge — freaking Eisenhower highway socialist system oh lordy. Social Security – socialism. Public schools — socialism. Medicare – socialism. Use public transit — socialist. How do you like your socialist water from the Public Water System? And don’t call the socialist fire department if your hair is on fire from all this — socialist. Cops, Military, Parks, State Schools, Community Colleges, the US Mail —- socialism.
So don’t tell us socialism is the next step to communism because we have been on the socialist path since the Founders founded us found. The trick is to apply socialism ONLY where it makes sense. And often it does make sense.
Someone is desperate to be memorialized in the Guinness Book of World Records via being recognized for the most ridiculous Nazi fulminations of the 21st century.
Very tragic sentence. And lets reflect on which party candidate admires the Russian leader who is the same Russian leader that started the unjust Russo-Ukrainian War under a false pretense. Lets make damn sure we do not vote in the Russian sympathizer!!!
Trump is NOT a Russian Sympathizer, bit an individual that respects the Business leaders of their individual country
for what they have governed for decades!
Would you allow soviet Missiles in CUBA? Same for them!
THEIR COUNTRY IS COMMUNISTIC, AND FOR THEM, THAT HAS BEEN THE STATUS QUO!
Our country has been a republic, maybe not for the last 3 1/2 years and if the puppet masters win, it will never be a
Republic again!
Your right, he is not a Russian sympathizer – he is a Putin admirer!!! Yes he admires autocrats and other villains in power that have slaughtered many people. He admires leaders that can rig elections like Putin has and stay in power – because Trump failed his rigging of 1/6. LOL
Darren, your paranoia is showing!!!
Do any of you know about the tunnels under the Ukraine or the Biden owned biolabs under the Ukraine? How about the trafficking there? Or don’t you believe that? Guess who is trying to stop all of that? I’m not talking about Trump either. Think!
Yes the biolabs were created just after WWII as a way of handling all chemical weapons. U.S.S.R. did not participate – they kept theirs. When the “Special Operations” invasion excuse did not work for Putin he then switched to the biolab excuse. Trump is very in favor of trafficking. His secret word for trafficking is “pageant” where he had teenagers from around the world fly to his hotel to supposedly compete for a title. Trump is on record with the Howard Stern show as saying how he gets away with pedophilia because he owns the pageant thus he says he can go in to their dressing rooms while they are naked – and he remarked on how beautiful they are. Trump was also on Epstein’s Lolita Express plane manifest seven times!!
So what is your point?
does anyone have actual examples, like names and dates, for 1.6.2021 suspected criminals held in jail pending trial?
lots of people here say it’s happening, but no names or identification yet.
Daniel, did you know that if you’re rich enough you don’t get put in jail, even after you’re convicted. That’s right, Felon Trump has 34 felony convictions (not to mention about 60 indictments) and he’s still walking around free. Everyone else waits in jail for their trials and hearings and sentencings.