A Russian court has sentenced Ksenia Karelina, the girlfriend of former South African professional boxer Chris van Heerden, to 12 years in prison for treason.
Karelina, a 33-year-old amateur ballerina with American and Russian citizenship, was arrested in January 2023 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
She had donated around R913 to a charity supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, which led to her conviction.
Van Heerden expressed his outrage and heartbreak, announcing his retirement from boxing as he focuses on fighting for Karelina’s release.
“I woke up to the news this morning. I am still sitting here processing what’s happening. There was a prisoner swap two weeks ago, and Ksenia was not on that list.”
The White House condemned the sentence as “vindictive cruelty.” Karelina’s case has sparked international attention, with many calling for her release
“Ksenia should be home, and I am angry, and I am trying to hold my composure,” he told CBS News after the news broke.
