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A US-Russian dual national has been convicted of treason in a Russian court and sentenced to prison after donating to a US charity that provides supplies to Ukrainian soldiers.
What’s the deal: Ksenia Khavana, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, has been convicted of treason by a Russian court and sentenced to 12 years in prison. She was arrested in February in Yekaterinburg and is accused of donating $51 to a charity that Russia’s Federal Security Service claims was supplying tactical gear, weapons, and ammunition to the Ukrainian military.
This is dual Russian and American citizen Ksenia Khavana. She is 33 and being charged with "treason" for making a $50 donation to a Ukrainian non-profit two years ago. The Russian man abducting her has no name tag and his face is covered to conceal his identity.
— Jake Broe (@RealJakeBroe) February 23, 2024
They filmed… pic.twitter.com/J7S1MX5muL
Who she donated to: The Russian government claims Khavana donated to ‘Razom for Ukraine,’ an organization dedicated to supporting projects that help Ukraine promote “democracy and prosperity.”
What Khavana’s lawyer is arguing: Ksenia Khavana’s lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, stated that while Khavana admitted to transferring the funds, she did not intend for the money to support anti-Russian activities or backing the Ukrainian military. Mushailov plans to appeal the verdict, stressing that Khavana did not knowingly or deliberately aim to fund actions that could be seen as treasonous against Russia.
White House reacts: In a previous statement, White House National Security Coordinator John Kirby called Khavana’s arrest “vindictive cruelty.” He added, “The sentence just proves all the more that there’s no real system of justice coming out of Moscow. We’re talking about 50 bucks to try to alleviate the suffering of the people of Ukraine. And to call that treason is just absolutely ludicrous.”
Digging Deeper: Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has implemented strict laws criminalizing any support for Ukraine, including donations, dissent, or actions seen as discrediting the Russian military. These laws are part of a wider crackdown on dissent within the country. Penalties for violating these laws can be harsh, with some individuals facing lengthy prison sentences for treason or other charges related to allegedly supporting Ukraine or opposing Russia’s military actions.
