15-Year Sentence Sought for Russian Ballerina

Russian prosecutors are pursuing a 15-year prison sentence for Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina, after she pleaded guilty to treason charges. The charges stem from her donation of approximately $50 to Razom, a charity that supports Ukraine, with prosecutors alleging that she was raising funds for tactical supplies for the Ukrainian military. Karelina's sentencing is scheduled for August 15. Her attorney, Mikhail Mushailov, contends that the proposed sentence is excessively harsh. He emphasized the need for the court to consider mitigating factors, such as Karelina's cooperation with authorities, including voluntarily surrendering her mobile device and providing documentation related to the case. Mushailov expressed hope that Karelina might eventually be included in a prisoner exchange following her sentencing. Karelina was arrested in February in Yekaterinburg, where she was visiting family. This city has gained notoriety as the location where Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained on espionage charges in March. Gershkovich was released in a prisoner swap on August 1, which involved multiple prisoners across various countries. The case highlights the increasing scrutiny and severe penalties faced by individuals in Russia who are perceived to support Ukraine amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Karelina's situation raises questions about the implications of such charges on personal freedoms and the broader context of international relations.