Russian-American woman jailed for 12 years for donating $50 to Ukraine charity

The verdict was delivered after a closed trial at the Sverdlovsk regional court, following Karelina's detention earlier this year while she was visiting her grandparents.

A Russian court has sentenced Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old Russian-American woman, to 12 years in prison on charges of treason after she made a small donation of just over 50 US Dollars to a US-based charity that supports Ukraine.

The verdict was delivered after a closed trial at the Sverdlovsk regional court, following Karelina's detention earlier this year while she was visiting her grandparents.

Karelina, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was accused of sending money to fund equipment and ammunition for the Ukrainian army, according to RIA Novosti.

Her lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, has indicated plans to appeal the decision.