Russian authorities have detained a woman from Los Angeles under suspicion of treason due to her alleged support for Ukraine. The 33-year-old, who holds dual Russian-American citizenship, was seen in a video being escorted away by officers, her face concealed under a hat.
Identified as Ksenia Khavana, an employee of Ciel Spa in Beverly Hills, she was reportedly apprehended while visiting her family in Russia. The spa’s management expressed shock and distress over Khavana’s detention, vehemently asserting her innocence and highlighting her longstanding dedication as an esthetician there for eight years.
According to Isabella Koretz, a representative of Ciel Spa, Khavana traveled to Russia to reunite with her relatives, including her 90-year-old grandmother, parents, and younger sister. The accusations against her stem from an alleged donation of $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity from the United States, an act interpreted as treasonous by Russian authorities.
Reports from Russian media suggest Khavana is also accused of involvement in fundraising activities for Ukraine’s military, participating in pro-Ukraine demonstrations, and disseminating anti-Russian sentiments online. If convicted, she faces a daunting sentence of up to 20 years behind bars.
Her former mother-in-law, Eleonora Srebroski, has been vocal in pleading for intervention from the U.S. government to secure Khavana’s release. Srebroski recalls her son’s attempts to contact Khavana, which went unanswered, now realizing the potential gravity of the situation.
Khavana, who attained U.S. citizenship in 2021, is remembered fondly by Srebroski as a compassionate and altruistic individual, traits that align with her concerns about Khavana’s well-being amidst the turmoil of her detainment in Russia.
While the U.S. State Department has issued warnings against travel to Russia and has offered consular assistance in Khavana’s case, Srebroski continues her advocacy efforts, emphasizing the urgency of protecting Khavana’s rights and safety as an American citizen.
In Srebroski’s impassioned plea, she characterizes Khavana as a delicate yet resilient soul deserving of safeguarding, underscoring the significance of collective action to ensure justice and the preservation of human rights in this distressing ordeal.