Ksenia Karelina, a dual US-Russian citizen and ballerina, recently returned to the US after being imprisoned in Russia for 15 months. Detained for allegedly aiding Ukraine through a charity donation, Karelina faced a possible 12-year sentence for treason. Her release was part of a prisoner swap negotiated by the Trump administration. Embraced by her fiancé and administration officials upon her arrival, Karelina's case highlights ongoing tensions and the complexities surrounding US citizens detained abroad under politically sensitive circumstances.
"I am overjoyed to hear that the love of my life, Ksenia Karelina is on her way home from wrongful detention in Russia," van Heerden said.
"They released the young ballerina and she is now out, and that was good. So we appreciate that," the president said the day of her release.
Karelina was facing 12 years in a penal colony after she was accused of treason by the Kremlin for donating $51 to a charity that supported Ukraine.
Karelina is a dual US-Russian citizen and had donated to the Ukrainian foundation two days before Moscow formally invaded its western neighbor.
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