Russian-American Woman Goes on Trial for Treason Charges in Russia After Allegedly Donating $50 to Ukraine Charity

Ksenia Karelina was arrested in Russia earlier this year while visiting her family

A Russian-American woman's case has gone to trial after she was arrested in Russia earlier this year for allegedly sending just over $50 to a charity raising money for Ukraine amid the war between the two countries.

Ksenia Karelina — who is also known as Ksenia Khavana, after her first husband — was arrested and charged with treason in February, the Associated Press and CNN reported. Per the AP and Reuters, Karelina, who was born in Yekaterinburg but is now a U.S. citizen and works at a spa in Los Angeles, was visiting her family at the time.

Karelina's trial began on Thursday, June 20, and took place behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg, the outlets reported, while Reuters released a photo of her sitting in a cage at Sverdlovsk Regional Court.

Per CNN, the 33-year-old has been accused of donating $51.80 to the New York-based non-profit Razom. The human rights organization that supports Ukraine told the outlet it was "appalled" by what was happening to Karelina.

The charity didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

Related: 'Wall Street Journal' Reporter Detained in Russia on Spying Charges

Prosecutors have accused Karelina of "proactively transferring funds to a Ukrainian organization, which the Ukrainian armed forces subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition," the Moscow Times reported.

According to the AP and CNN, Karelina could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Citing Russian news agencies, the outlets reported Karelina's next hearing has been set for Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Per NBC News, Karelina first came to the U.S. in 2012 through a work-study program. A U.S. official said the amateur ballerina became a citizen in 2021. She has since been working as an esthetician at a spa in Beverly Hills.

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In a February interview with CNN, Karelina's boyfriend, Chris Van Deerden, said that he bought her a ticket to her home country as a birthday gift. He claimed Karelina was “proud to be Russian," adding that when it comes to Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, "she doesn’t watch the news; she doesn’t intervene with anything.”

While speaking to the The Independent earlier this year, Karelina's former mother-in-law, Eleonara Srebroski, said that when it comes to her charitable donation, "she's just that kind of person."

"If somebody needs help, she will be helping. Whether it's an animal, or a child, or a grown-up, she's the one who is always opening her heart and her wallet," Srebroski added, per the outlet. "She is the one who will never be rude to anyone. She is just sunshine; full of love, positivity, smiles, care."

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Several Americans are reportedly being held in jail in Russia amid growing tensions between Moscow and Washington, D.C. One of them is Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been accused by Russian authorities of spying and gathering state secrets for the U.S. government. He was arrested in March 2023 and is facing espionage charges.

According to the AP, Karelina's trial was held in the same court where Gershkovich's hearing is set to to begin on Wednesday, June 26.

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