American ballerina closed 12 years in Russia After donating $ 51 in charity support Ukraine has been acquitted.
Ksenia Karelina was arrested in Yakaterrurg In February last year After returning to Russia to visit their family.
On Thursday, State Secretary Marco Rubio confirmed that she was released and was on the plane home in the US in the post on X.
Karelina was released as part of the exchange of prisoners between the United States and Russia, negotiated between CIAs and high Russian intelligence officers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pardated Karelina before replacement, towards Russian Federal Security, FSB.
Her plane left Abu Dhabi Airport, where the exchange happened, earlier in the morning, her Russian lawyer Mihail Mushailov said.
The UAE has a history of prisoner between Russia and Ukraine, as well as oversee another Russian-American version of high profile in Abu Dhabi in December 2022. years. Years.
“We express our gratitude in the UAE leadership for their help,” FSB said.
Many Russians and Ukrainians fled to Dubai after the start of Moscow 2022. Full invasions in Ukraine.
“Today, President Trump brought home another incorrectly detained American from Russia,” said the director of the CIA John Ratcliffe told Wall Street Journal.
“I am proud of the CIA officials who have tirelessly worked to support this effort, and appreciate the UAE government to enable exchange.”
Karelina got US citizenship 2021. years After being briefly marryed by American and relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked in Banjska Banja.
Russian FSB accused the Karela “proactive” collecting funds for the organization that would buy ammunition, medical materials and weapons for the Ukrainian army. A charitable organization, a variety of Ukraine, said that its donations only go to humanitarian projects.
The accusations came from $ 51.80 in New York in accordance with the group of Russian practice the first department, after the phone was reviewed by the FSB.
At the closed trial, Karelina pleads a guilt for betrayal, hoping to get a brighter sentence, her lawyer said before.
American authorities called the case against her “absolutely ludicrous”.
Arthur Petrov, a double German-Russian citizen, was exempt from the exchange for Karelina.
He was arrested in Cyprus in 2023. at the request of the United States for alleged exporting microelectronics, subject to American export control, for the Russian military supplier.
It was extradited to the US in August 2024. years and faced accusations for smuggling, money laundering, wire fraud and export violations.
Swap comes after the Karelin partner, former Boxer Champ Chris Van Heerden, advocated for her release on Megyn Kelly Show on Wednesday.
Van Heerden said the American Film Director Peter Berg and the Superior Championship Championship in the fight of the day of the day of the White campaign for her return, including the calling to the US government.
“I’m happy to hear that the love of my life, Ksenia Karelina, is on the way home from the wrong custody in Russia,” he said Van Heerden in a separate statement. “She was looking for a nightmare for 15 months and I can’t wait to hold her. Our dog, boots, are also impatiently waiting for a return.”