ALBAWABA - A Russian-American ballerina named Ksenia Karelina was recently jailed for 12 years after being accused of donating to a pro-Ukraine charity.
The donation of around $50 was made towards a charity named Razom which provides aid to Ukraine. Moreover, local investigators found out about the donation after searching Karelina's phone and arrested her in Yekaterinburg, in southwestern Russia on Feb. 2024, according to Sky News.
According to official Russian sources, she admitted to having donated the money this month at a closed trial in the city.
Russian ballerina jailed for 12 years amid donating to Ukraine
The 33-year-old Russian-American moved to the United States in 2012 and received her citizenship in 2021. Additionally, she used to work at a spa residing in Los Angeles.
According to CNN, she was arrested at the start of the year after going back to Russia to visit her grandparents. Moreover, Russian investigators added that she was arrested for sending money to the Ukranian army in hopes they buy ammunition and equipment with it.
Kerlina made headlines on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, after showing up in court behind a glass caged room before she received the 12-year sentence.
(Photo by HANDOUT / Sverdlovsk regional Court press / AFP)
Her boyfriend Chris Van Heerden told CNN that she doesn't watch the news and that she was so proud of going back to her home country.
