Ksenia Karelina, US ballet dancer, released from Russia in prisoner exchange

U.S.-Russian dual citizen Ksenia Karelina was released from a Russian prison in an overnight prisoner exchange, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday.

Karelina -- a 33-year-old ballet dancer -- was serving a 12-year prison sentence in a penal colony, having been convicted of treason in August 2024. She was accused of organizing fundraisers for Ukraine's military, attending pro-Ukraine rallies and posting social media messages against Russia's war in Ukraine. The U.S. maintained she was wrongfully detained.

Karelina's fiancé, Chris van Heerden, spoke to ABC News Live hours after her sentencing, saying she did nothing wrong. He said all she did was donate $50 to a Ukrainian charity.

German-Russian citizen Artur Petrov -- who is accused of smuggling U.S. technology to assist the Russian military -- was exchanged for Karelina, Russia's Federal Security Service said.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-ballet-dancer-released-russia-092100449.html