US-Russian dual national jailed for 12 years on treason charges for $52 donation to Ukraine

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AP) — A U.S.-Russian dual national has been convicted of treason in a Russian court and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. News reports say Ksenia Khavana, whom Russian authorities identify by her maiden name of Ksenia Karelina, was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February and pleaded guilty in a closed trial last week. Khavana reportedly obtained U.S. citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. A rights group said the charges stem from a $51.80 donation to a U.S. charity. Her attorney said he planned to appeal the verdict.