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Russian authorities have detained a woman who is a Los Angeles resident and dual national on suspicion of treason for raising funds to support Ukraine in its defense against the Kremlin’s invasion.
A senior U.S. official confirmed to NBC News that the detained American is Kseniya Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina. Karelina, 33, became a U.S. citizen in 2021, a U.S. official said.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg said early Tuesday that the woman, who it did not name, has dual Russian-American citizenship. The White House said it was working to secure consular access.
Since 2022, that woman has been “involved in providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of our country,” the statement said.
The statement added the suspect collected money that was spent on medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition in the Ukrainian war effort. No other details nor a description of any evidence were released.
“In addition, in the United States, this citizen repeatedly took part in public actions in support of the Kiev regime,” it said.
Karelina entered Russia on Jan. 2, and the U.S. learned on Feb. 8 that she had been arrested, a U.S. official said.
She is accused of treason under article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, which is punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison, as well as confiscation of property.
As with previous arrests of foreign- and dual-nationals, the woman is detained under a pre-trial custody order.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that he couldn’t comment much on the case, but that the White House and State Department are gathering more information. He said that it is dangerous for U.S, citizens or dual citizens to be in Russia right now.
“If you’re a U.S. citizen, including a dual national, residing in or traveling in Russia, you ought to leave right now if you can,” Kirby said. “Just depart immediately.”
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing Tuesday that the U.S. is seeking consular assistance, but that has not yet been granted.
“Russia does not recognize dual citizenship, considers them to be Russian citizens first and foremost,” Miller said. “And so oftentimes we have a difficult time getting consular assistance, but we will pursue it in all matters where a U.S. citizen is detained.”
The non-profit Razom for Ukraine, in a statement that responded to reports that a dual-national was charged in connection with a donation, said it was “appalled.”
“Our activities, which are in keeping with our charitable purpose and our legal obligations as an American charitable organization, are focused on humanitarian aid, disaster relief, education and advocacy,” Razom for Ukraine CEO Dora Chomiak said.
NBC News has not confirmed details of the alleged “financial assistance” on which Russia claimed the charge was based.
In January, U.S. national Robert Romanov Woodland was arrested and detained on drug trafficking charges.
Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual Russian-American reporter, was detained late last year and charged with failure to register as a foreign agent. And Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been held for nearly a year on espionage charges he denies.
It was confirmed early Tuesday that Gershkovich will remain in jail until at least March 30 after Moscow City Court rejected his latest appeal, according to state media outlet RIA.
The U.S. says Gershkovich is one of a number of its citizens wrongfully detained in the country, including former Marine Paul Whelan.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will mark its second anniversary Saturday, with President Joe Biden’s administration considering whether to supply Kyiv with long-range ATACMS missiles while a new aid package is held up in Congress.
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