YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Russian prosecutors on Thursday demanded a 15-year sentence for Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American girl accused of treason for making a donation to a charity supporting Ukraine.
Karelina, who was not included in a serious prisoner swap between Russia and the West final week, is on trial within the metropolis of Yekaterinburg, the place prosecutors and defence legal professionals have been summing up their instances.
The decision, which had been anticipated on Thursday, is now due on Aug. 15, a Reuters reporter on the court docket stated.
Karelina was born in Russia however emigrated to america in 2012 and have become a U.S. citizen in 2021.
The Los Angeles spa worker was arrested by the FSB safety service after flying to Russia to go to her household in Yekaterinburg at first of the yr.
Investigators introduced the treason cost after discovering on her cell phone that she had donated $51.80 to Razom, a charity that gives help to Ukraine, when Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022. The FSB alleged that the last word beneficiary was the Ukrainian military.
Razom stated on the time of her arrest that it was “appalled”. The charity’s web site says it helps a spread of humanitarian tasks together with the availability of first help kits, wooden stoves, turbines, radios and automobiles to frontline Ukrainian medics.
It additionally helps Ukrainian kids and susceptible communities affected by the struggle, together with by offering meals, shelter, psychological help and clear water.