A Russian court has condemned a dual citizen of Russia and the U.S. to 12 years in prison for treason, claiming she contributed funds to a group that backs the armed forces of Ukraine, according to various reports.

Ksenia Karelina, 33, reportedly donated just over $50, which the court claimed was used for “tactical medicine, equipment, weapons, and ammunition” for Ukraine.

Although Karelina, originally from Yekaterinburg and now residing in Los Angeles, pleaded guilty, she and her supporters assert that the funds were intended for a charity that aids individuals affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022.

The judge announced the sentence during a closed trial held in Yekaterinburg, which has seen other controversial cases, including that of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was convicted of espionage last month.

Karelina’s Sentencing Followed Major Prisoner Exchange

Karelina, who has a background as a spa worker and trained ballet dancer, was seen calmly sitting in a glass enclosure during her court hearing, dressed in a white sweatshirt and blue jeans, as reported by Reuters.

Following her arrest in February, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) accused Karelina of raising money for Ukraine’s military. However, her family and supporters insisted that she donated $51.80 to a charity focused on humanitarian relief for those affected by the conflict.

The contribution was made to Razom for Ukraine, a charity from New York that aims to support children and the elderly affected by the war. The charity has denied any involvement in military assistance to Ukraine, according to Reuters.

Karelina’s conviction occurred shortly after a significant prisoner exchange took place, where 16 inmates, including Gershkovich, were released by the Kremlin in one of the most notable exchanges between East and West since the Cold War. In total, eight people from the U.S., Germany, Norway, Slovenia, and Poland were returned to Russia as part of the agreement.

Since the onset of Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine, the government has intensified its efforts to detain Americans, possibly to leverage for future prisoner exchanges in light of rising tensions with the United States.

While not included in the recent prisoner swap, Karelina’s attorney, Mikhail Mushailov, has expressed her hope for a potential future exchange, as noted by Reuters.

Karelina’s Arrest Took Place While Visiting Family

The announcement of Karelina’s arrest, made on February 20, shocked her family and friends in the U.S., who maintain that she was never politically active, according to Reuters.

Karelina was born in Russia but moved to the United States in 2012 as part of a work-study program to pursue a career as a ballerina. She relocated from Baltimore to Los Angeles in 2017 and worked at a Beverly Hills spa before obtaining U.S. citizenship in 2021.

She was arrested in January after traveling to Russia to visit her family, including her elderly grandmother in Yekaterinburg. Initially charged with hooliganism, she was held for 15 days while the FSB conducted interrogations and examined her phone for a donation made via Venmo to Razom for Ukraine in 2022.

Before her release, she faced a serious charge of state treason. The expectation of acquittals in such high-profile cases in Russia is extremely low.

The FSB revealed Karelina’s arrest the next month, accusing her of “providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security.”