A Russian-American ballerina pleaded guilty to treason in a Russian court after being passed over in a recent major prisoner swap.
Ksenia Khavana, also known as Ksenia Karelina, was arrested while visiting Russia in January on treason charges. She pleaded guilty on Wednesday, according to multiple Russian sources. Her lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, told RIA Novosti that her verdict would be announced tomorrow, though other sources speculated it would come at a later date.
“She admits her guilt, yes,” he said.
She faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the Moscow Times.
U.S. Consul General Stuart Wilson attended the hearing to show his support, according to SOTAvision.
The outlet also reported that the judge presiding over the case was the same who oversaw the espionage trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
She was accused of “proactively” raising funds “subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons, and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Khavana disputed the charges, claiming she was only donating funds to humanitarian groups. She once donated $51.80 to the New York-based nonprofit organization Razom. It’s unknown if the charges stem from this donation.
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The Los Angeles resident was visiting her family in Russia, as she did at least once per year, this time for a two-week trip to spend time with her 90-year-old grandmother, parents, and younger sister.
Twenty-four prisoners in Russia and various Western countries were released in the biggest prisoner swap since the end of the Cold War last week. Among these were Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
