The Russian security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB) has announced the arrest of a woman holding dual US-Russian citizenship, accusing her of treason due to her alleged involvement in fundraising for the Ukrainian army.
According to the FSB, the 33-year-old woman, a resident of Los Angeles, was apprehended in Yekaterinburg, located in the central Urals region, for her purported role in collecting funds aimed at supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
The agency claimed that the individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, had been actively soliciting donations, which were subsequently utilised to procure tactical medical supplies, equipment, weaponry, and ammunition for Ukrainian military operations.
Video footage released by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti depicts hooded officers handcuffing and escorting the woman, who was clad in a white coat with a hat obscuring her eyes.
The FSB asserted that her actions were deemed a threat to national security, as she allegedly provided support to the Ukrainian army while residing in the United States.
Treason carries severe penalties in Russia, including potential life imprisonment, particularly following legislative amendments enacted in response to ongoing military conflicts.
Notably, multiple US citizens are presently detained in Russia under various charges. Among them is Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, who was arrested on espionage allegations refuted by both himself, his employer, and the US government.
Additionally, Alsu Kurmasheva, a joint US-Russian citizen and journalist, is currently held in pre-trial detention, facing charges related to failure to register as a ‘foreign agent’ and violation of Russia’s stringent military censorship laws.
Another high-profile case involves Paul Whelan, a former US marine who has been incarcerated in Russia since 2018, serving a lengthy sentence on espionage charges.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in negotiating a potential prisoner exchange, aiming to trade Russian detainees held abroad for US citizens detained within Russia.