Ksenia Khavana has been convicted of treason after she donated to a US charity aiding Ukraine.
US-Russian twin nationwide Ksenia Khavana has been sentenced to 12 years in a Russian jail for treason after allegedly elevating cash for the Ukrainian army.
Khavana was convicted on costs linked to a $51 (€46) donation to a US charity.
Russia’s Federal Safety Service mentioned she “proactively collected cash within the pursuits of one of many Ukrainian organisations, which was subsequently used to buy tactical medical provides, gear, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Khavana, a former ballet dancer, obtained US citizenship after marrying her husband and transferring to Los Angeles.
She was arrested in Yekaterinburg after returning to Russia to go to her household and pleaded responsible to the fees in a closed trial, based on Russian state media.
Her lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, mentioned Khavana pleaded responsible to transferring the funds however mentioned she was not conscious the cash can be used for “anti-Russian actions”, including that he deliberate to attraction the decision.
Her accomplice, Chris Van Heerden, has been campaigning for her launch since she was arrested.
“I believed it is likely to be harmful for her to go, with the whole lot happening with the conflict in Ukraine, however she reassured me that she was Russian and that the whole lot can be tremendous,” he instructed a Los Angeles newspaper.
Russia has handed legal guidelines that criminalise criticism of its actions in Ukraine and remarks thought of to discredit the Russian army for the reason that full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Khavana’s conviction follows final month’s prisoner change between Moscow and Washington — the most important for the reason that Chilly Battle, together with US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was convicted of espionage in March of final yr.
