Ksenia Karelina (Khavana) is a political prisoner
A Russian and US citizen has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on a charge of treason for a $52 transfer to a Ukrainian charity
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ksenia Karelina (Khavana) a political prisoner. Karelina has been convicted on a charge of treason for donating to the US-based Ukrainian foundation, Razom for Ukraine. Karelina’s criminal prosecution and conviction have violated her right to fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Ksenia Karelina and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
Who is Ksenia Karelina and what were the charges against her?
Ksenia Karelina was born in Russia but in recent years has lived in Los Angeles, where she works as a cosmetologist. While in the US, she married and took the surname Khavana. In 2021, she became a US citizen.
On 27 January 2024, Karelina returned to Russia to visit her parents and elderly grandmother. On arrival at Yekaterinburg’s airport, she was told to unlock her phone. Law enforcement officers discovered there that on 24 February 2022, she had transferred $51.8 from her US bank account to the US-based Ukrainian foundation Razom for Ukraine. Although Karelina was not detained at the airport, she was asked to report to the police in Yekaterinburg. She was subsequently detained by FSB officers.
Ksenia Karelina was initially sentenced to a short jail term under administrative law on a fabricated charge of hooliganism. She was then detained on a criminal charge of treason for providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities undermining Russia’s security (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) and remanded in custody.
According to her lawyer, Karelina admitted transferring the money but stated she ‘did not believe the funds would be used for anti-Russian activities.’
On 15 August 2024, Karelina was sentenced to serve 12 years in a general-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Karelina a political prisoner?
The Razom for Ukraine Foundation, as stated on its website, raises money for humanitarian aid for medics, hospitals, and vulnerable groups in Ukraine.
Karelina made the transfer on 24 February 2022, the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This was a natural emotional response by Karelina who did not intend to harm Russian security. She simply wanted to support Ukrainians who were victims of Russia’s aggression and to help save lives.
However, even if Karelina had intended to undermine Russia’s security, a transfer of such a small sum as $51.80 can hardly be considered a crime at all, let alone warrant such a lengthy prison sentence.
Karelina was convicted of treason for providing financial assistance to a foreign state for activities against the security of the Russian Federation. However, it is not aid to Ukrainians that threatens Russia’s security, but the war of aggression launched by the Russian authorities.
A detailed description of Ksenia Karelina’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Ksenia Karelina (Khavana) at the following address:
In Russian: 620024, Екатеринбург, Елизаветинское шоссе, д. 19, ФКУ СИЗО-5 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области, Карелиной (Хавана) Ксении Павловне 1991 г. р.
In English: Ksenia Pavlovna Karelina (Khavana) (born 1991), Remand Prison No.5, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast, 19 Yelizavetinskoe Shosse, Yekaterinburg, 620024, Russia.
You can also send an email to Ksenia Karelina (Khavana) via F-Pismo or ZT (for payments with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for non-Russian bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
