The boyfriend of an American-Russian ballerina who pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday told Fox News Digital that she should “stay strong in the faith” because it’s “only a matter of time” before America takes her back.
Chris Van Helden’s comments come as lawyers for Ksenia Karerina, who was detained in Russia in February on suspicion of donating $51 to a Ukrainian organization and transferring the money to the Ukrainian military, plan to appeal.
When asked by Fox News Digital after Thursday’s verdict if she had any message for Karelina, Van Helden replied, “If there’s anything I would like to say to Karelina, it’s that people all over the world are fighting for her and we haven’t forgotten her. I would ask her not to lose hope and to keep her faith strong. Never lose hope more than you ever have before. Keep your eyes on the goal, because we’re going to get you back.”
“Stay strong. It’s only a matter of time,” he added.
American ballerina excluded from Russian prisoner swap pleads guilty to treason: reports
Chris van Helden said Ksenia Karelina “must remain strong in her beliefs” despite the sentence. (Fox News)
“She pleaded guilty to some of the transfers of funds, but did not admit to having the intention to transfer them to the organisations that received them the most,” Interfax news agency quoted Karelina’s lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, as saying on Thursday.
“She did not expect the funds she transferred to be used for anti-Russian activities,” he said.
According to the Associated Press, Russia’s Federal Security Service said Karelina “actively raised funds for one of the Ukrainian organizations, which were then used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Karelina, a dual citizen, lives in Los Angeles but was detained while visiting family in Russia.
Boyfriend of American ballerina held in Russia says prisoner swap is ‘only chance’ to bring her home
Ksenia Karelina was photographed in Maryland in December 2015. She reportedly pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Russia. (Eleonora Srebroski/Courtesy of Reuters)
Authorities reportedly searched Karelina’s phone and turned over a photo that appeared to show her holding a sign that read “We want peace” at an anti-Putin, anti-war demonstration in Los Angeles.
A State Department spokesman told Fox News Digital last week after Karelina pleaded guilty that the department was aware of reports that Americans were being detained and on trial in Russia.
The spokesman said the State Department has no priority over the safety and security of American citizens overseas and that officials are working to provide assistance to Americans in custody.
Chris Van Helden told Fox News Digital that Karelina should know “we’ll get you back.” (Fox News)
Click here to get the FOX News app
The spokesman also reiterated the State Department’s travel warning advising US citizens not to travel to Russia due to the risk of unlawful detention.
Fox News’ Taylor Penley and Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
