Russian court sentences Russian-American to 12 years in jail for treason over $50 charity donation

A Russian court on Thursday gave a Russian-American woman a 12-years prison sentence for treason over a small charitable donation of about $50 to a U.S. charity supporting Ukraine.

Investigators had argued that Karelina sent money to purchase equipment and ammunition for the Ukrainian army, which is fighting Russia, reported RIA Novosti.

Ksenia Karelina, 33, was detained in the Yekaterinburg earlier this year while in Russia visiting her grandparents. She later pleaded guilty to the charges.

The verdict was announced following a closed-door trial at Sverdlovsk regional court that concluded last week.