The trial of a Russian American woman who was accused of treason earlier this year for donating $50 to a Ukrainian charity began Thursday in Yekaterinburg.
Ksenia Karelina, a 32-year-old ballerina based in Los Angeles, was detained in January while visiting family in Russia.
Russia’s Federal Security Service accused her of “proactively transferring funds” to assist a Ukrainian organization in purchasing weapons and ammunition, among other items, for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Karelina’s boyfriend said she made a single donation of $50 to a Ukrainian charity, according to media reports.
Russia and Ukraine have been at war since the Russian military invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, Russia has passed laws making it illegal to criticize the country's war in Ukraine, including making remarks deemed to discredit the Russian military.
Thursday’s proceedings were held behind closed doors, with the next hearing scheduled for August. Karelina could face up to 20 years in prison if she is found guilty.
The trial comes at a tense time between the U.S. and Russia, as the trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been charged with espionage, was detained in March. Gershkovich, the Journal and the U.S. government have all denied the accusations.
Gershkovich’s trial is set for June 26.
Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
