INTERNACIONAL
Russian-American ballerina ‘in transit’ after US says she was wrongfully detained, boyfriend says
Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina, who was sentenced to 12 years in Russian prison after donating just over $50 to a Ukrainian charity in early 2024, is «in transit,» her boyfriend tells Fox News, a day after American Marc Fogel was released in a prisoner swap.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) informed Karelina’s family about the update, the ballerina’s boyfriend, Christopher Van Heerden told Fox News on Thursday.
While «in transit» is not a confirmation that Karelina is being released, it could mean Russia is moving her to a prison closer to Moscow, which is normally a precursor to release.
The news came during what Van Heerden described as an unusual nine-day gap in communication between Karelina and her mom, who had typically spoken on the phone every day since her incarceration.
FREED AMERICAN HOSTAGE MARC FOGEL LANDS IN US AFTER YEARS IN RUSSIAN CAPTIVITY
Karelina was visiting family in Yekaterinberg in February 2024 when she was detained over allegations of treason after donating $51 to a Ukrainian organization that passed the money onto the country’s military.
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 determined Karelina was «wrongfully detained» on Tuesday, the same day American teacher Marc Fogel was released after spending more than three years in a Russian prison.
The family of Ksenia Karelina was told she was «in transit,» her boyfriend, Christopher Van Heerden, told Fox News. (Christopher Van Heerden )
In exchange for Fogel’s freedom, a Trump administration official told Fox News that the U.S. is releasing Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik as part of the deal.
In this photo, Ksenia Karelina appears with her boyfriend, Christopher Van Heerden. The news about Karelina’s possible movement comes just days after American teacher Marc Fogel was freed in a prisoner swap with Russia. (Christopher Van Heerden )
AMERICAN BALLERINA LEFT OUT OF RUSSIA PRISONER SWAP PLEADS GUILTY TO TREASON: REPORT
While Van Heerden said that while he obviously can’t take the FSB at its word, he’s optimistic about Karelina’s return home, adding that President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler are all aware and focusing on Karelina’s case.
The State Department determined Karelina was «wrongfully detained» on Tuesday. (Christopher Van Heerden )
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«Movement is happening as we speak,» Van Heerden said.
INTERNACIONAL
La ultraderecha de Chile se divide y toma fuerza el ala más radical, admiradora de Javier Milei y Donald Trump
Diferencias de forma, pero no de fondo
El quiebre
-
ECONOMIA21 horas ago
Acindar suspende a 1.000 trabajadores, luego de que Donald Trump confirmara aranceles al acero argentino
-
ECONOMIA2 días ago
Dura crítica de Cristina Kirchner a Javier Milei, al que calificó de «autoritario»
-
POLITICA3 días ago
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA SEGURIDAD? La Provincia de Buenos Aires sufre un aumento del 20% en homicidios
-
ECONOMIA2 días ago
Esto es lo que aumentaron los medicamentos más consumidos por adultos mayores en enero 2025
-
POLITICA1 día ago
Guerra entre los canales de noticias: qué pasó con el rating y la denuncia del Gobierno contra A24 por «sabotaje»
-
POLITICA2 días ago
Diputados trata Ficha Limpia y el oficialismo confía en que tiene los votos para aprobarla: Cristina, en alerta