Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina, who was sentenced to 12 years in Russian jail after donating simply over $50 to a Ukrainian charity in early 2024, is “in transit,” her boyfriend tells Fox Information, a day after American Marc Fogel was launched in a prisoner swap.
Russia’s Federal Safety Service (FSB) knowledgeable Karelina’s household in regards to the replace, the ballerina’s boyfriend, Christopher Van Heerden instructed Fox Information on Thursday.
Whereas “in transit” isn’t a affirmation that Karelina is being launched, it may imply Russia is shifting her to a jail nearer to Moscow, which is often a precursor to launch.
The information got here throughout what Van Heerden described as an uncommon nine-day hole in communication between Karelina and her mother, who had usually spoken on the cellphone day by day since her incarceration.
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Karelina was visiting household in Yekaterinberg in February 2024 when she was detained over allegations of treason after donating $51 to a Ukrainian group that handed the cash onto the nation’s army.
Ksenia Karelina was detained in Russia in February 2024 on allegations of treason after donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity. (Christopher Van Heerden )
The State Department decided Karelina was “wrongfully detained” on Tuesday, the identical day American trainer Marc Fogel was launched after spending greater than three years in a Russian jail.
The household of Ksenia Karelina was instructed she was “in transit,” her boyfriend, Christopher Van Heerden, instructed Fox Information. (Christopher Van Heerden )
In alternate for Fogel’s freedom, a Trump administration official instructed Fox Information that the U.S. is releasing Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik as a part of the deal.
On this photograph, Ksenia Karelina seems along with her boyfriend, Christopher Van Heerden. The information about Karelina’s attainable motion comes simply days after American trainer Marc Fogel was freed in a prisoner swap with Russia. (Christopher Van Heerden )
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Whereas Van Heerden stated that whereas he clearly cannot take the FSB at its phrase, he is optimistic about Karelina’s return house, including that President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Particular Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler are all conscious and specializing in Karelina’s case.
The State Division decided Karelina was “wrongfully detained” on Tuesday. (Christopher Van Heerden )
“Motion is going on as we communicate,” Van Heerden stated.
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