Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina has pleaded guilty to treason charges after she was arrested for donating money to a charity supporting Ukraine.

Russian prosecutors are seeking a 15-year sentence after the security services accused Ms Karelina of collecting money that was used to purchase tactical supplies for the Ukrainian army.

She was detained by authorities in Yekaterinburg, about 1,600km (1,000 miles) east of Moscow after a family visit in February.

The sentence comes one week after Russia and the West carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, where 24 people jailed in seven different countries were exchanged.

Ms Karelina’s lawyer said the prosecutors’ request for a 15-year sentence in a penal colony was too severe as the defendant had cooperated with the investigation.

Mikhail Mushailov also said it was “impossible” for Ms Karelina to have been included in the recent prisoner exchange, because an exchange can only happen once the court verdict comes into force.

    • Honytawk@lemmy.zip
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      3 months ago

      Yeah, now you know that charity actively helps Ukraine if russia is all whiney about it

    • divergency@scribe.disroot.org
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      3 months ago

      Donate to what? For a bunch of army men to kill a bunch of other army men? Kinda pointless. I’d better donate to something that aims to prevent wars and not to sustain them. NATO can end the war any day, but they don’t. No amount of money will outrank NATO’s will, unless those would be all China’s money

        • divergency@scribe.disroot.org
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          3 months ago

          I want Russia dead as a state as much as you do. Our difference is I want Ukraine and all other states dead as well. To free the people from government slavery. But since you’re probably one of the slaves, you won’t understand that

          • TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee
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            3 months ago

            since you’re probably one of the slaves, you won’t understand that

            Lol, you sound like a teenager who just got their first paycheck. “Whats income tax…? This is Slavery!”

      • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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        3 months ago

        How would NATO end the war? Come on, you made a dumbass comment, so now back it up.

      • Biezelbob@programming.dev
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        3 months ago

        then everyones loads demoncores in rocket and holds thumbs to mushroom cloud, hope you have enough distance

    • rhabarba@feddit.org
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      3 months ago

      It is probably legal in other countries, so I don’t think this is as brave as you make it sound.

      • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        This is the most Reddit/Lemmy reply ever lmao

        The above user was also showing solidarity with Ukraine, not trying to outdo her, or trying to appear brave.

      • Biezelbob@programming.dev
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        3 months ago

        Doesnt matter, money goes to ukraine, supports Ukrainians (and troops). Doesnt have to be much.

        I dont do this because its brave but because of the gesture and helping Ukraine. Its disposable income so I can mis it but even a very small amount makes a difference if a lot of people act on donating.

        Slava Ukraini