Russia: Ballerina Xenia Karelina was released – a 12 -year prison sentence in Russia
Ballerina Xenia Karelina returns to her home country in the United States, Foreign Minister said Thursday Mark Rubio.
Last year, Karelina, which holds dual citizenship (both American and Russian), was sentenced to 12 years to a colony of Russian prisons for treason after donating about $ 50 to a Ukrainian charity based in the US.
Confirmed Ballerina’s liberation by Americans
« The American ballerina is on the return plane to the United States, » Rubio wrote on X on Thursday.
« It was unjustly detained by Russia for more than a year and President Trump secured its release. @Potus will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans. «
American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States.
She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and president Trump Secured Her Release. @Potus Will Continue to Work for the Release of All Americans.
– Secretary Marco Rubio (@secuubio) April 10, 2025
Karelina’s lawyer, Michael Musailov, told the Russian Interfax News Office that he was handed over to the US as part of the exchange of prisoners on Thursday.
« It has been exchanged. Two hours ago she contacted her relatives, « the lawyer told the agency.
With whom the Russians exchanged the ballerina
In return, the US is alleged to have released Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian national arrested in Cyprus in 2023.
Xenia Karelina
He was accused of exporting illegally microelectronically to Russia for manufacturers who worked with the Russian army.
The exchange of prisoners took place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning.
CIA Director John Ratclifis was present in the exchange, the Wall Street Journal said. Is the second exchange of prisoners between Russia and the US in less than two months
