South African boxing champ fights to free girlfriend from Russian prison over Ukraine donation
Chris van Heerden’s girlfriend, Ksenia Karelina, is facing treason charges for donating $51.80 to war-affected old people and children in Ukraine.
Boxing gloves / Pixabay: andreas160578
Bongani Bingwa interviews Chris van Heerden, a South African boxer.
Listen below.
South African boxing champion Chris van Heerden, once a world welterweight titleholder, now faces a far greater challenge: securing the release of his girlfriend, Ksenia Karelina, from a Russian prison.
Karelina, a dual Russian-American citizen, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in January 2024, after travelling to visit her ageing family.
Despite Van Heerden's concerns, she believed she would be safe, a notion that quickly proved false when she was detained upon arrival.
"We do not know how they knew. Clearly, she was flagged on the system."
- Chris van Heerden
Karelina was initially accused of 'hooliganism', a charge Van Heerden dismisses as absolute nonsense, carrying a penalty of 15 days in detention.
"They grabbed her, threw her in a car and she disappeared for three days."
- Chris van Heerden
He anticipated her release on the 15th day of her detention. However, the charges suddenly escalated to treason after authorities uncovered her $51.80 donation to a charity aiding war-affected elders and children in Ukraine.
Van Heerden emphasises that Karelina donated the money while in America, highlighting that she is an American citizen.
In 2023, Russia enacted a treason law targeting Americans voicing opposition to the war.
However, the donation was made in 2022, before this law came into effect.
"She's now been locked up since January 27th."
- Chris van Heerden
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.