(Moscow) A Russian-American national, Ksenia Karelina, has been on trial since Thursday in Yekaterinburg in Russia for high treason, accused of having given money to a support group for Ukraine, a new illustration of repression all azimuths in the country.
“According to investigators, since February 2022, Karelina took the initiative to transfer funds to a Ukrainian organization, which were then used to purchase means of tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces “, indicated the court on its Telegram channel.
The opening of the trial took place behind closed doors, according to state news agency TASS, which said the next hearing will take place on August 7.
Ksenia Karelina, 32, who lived in California, traveled to Russia earlier this year to visit family. In February 2024, the Russian security service (FSB) announced her arrest on charges of treason, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
According to Russian media, she made a transfer of around $50 to a pro-Ukrainian organization in the very first days of the Kremlin’s assault on Ukraine in February 2022.
Images released by the court on Thursday showed the young woman with wavy hair sitting in the glass cage reserved for the accused in the courtroom, dressed in a green shirt and jeans, the shadow of a sad smile on the lips.
Russia has prosecuted thousands of Russians opposed to President Vladimir Putin’s offensive against Ukraine, and many of them, both anonymous and famous, have been imprisoned.
In addition, Russian authorities have arrested nationals of several Western countries.
On June 26, the trial of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who risks 20 years in prison for “espionage,” is due to begin in Yekaterinburg. He was arrested while reporting in March 2023.
Russia has never substantiated its accusations against the reporter, who rejects them, as does his employer, the Wall Street Journal, his relatives and the American authorities.
Talks are underway for an exchange, with Russia seeking the release of a man convicted in Germany of carrying out an assassination on behalf of Moscow.
