Russia arrests dual-US citizen on treason charges

Russian authorities have arrested a dual U.S.-Russia citizen suspected of fundraising for the Ukrainian army as it seeks to fight off Moscow’s assault, the Federal Security Service announced on Tuesday.

The FSB said a 33-year-old woman, who is a resident of Los Angeles, had been detained in Yekaterinburg on charges of “treason” after she participated in fundraising efforts for Kyiv and in pro-Ukraine public rallies.

The FSB did not name the woman. Independent Russian-language media outlet Mediazona has identified the person they say has been detained, but POLITICO could not independently verify the report.

In videos reposted by Russian media outlets, a woman can be seen being escorted to a courtroom by authorities, with her face partly covered by a knitted hat.

Russia has arrested several U.S. citizens since the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, and has been accused of using them as collateral in negotiations with Washington.

Last year, Russian security services arrested Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, accusing him of spying for the U.S. — charges he and his employers have strongly denied. Gershkovich remains in Russian detention, with President Vladimir Putin hinting he could be interested in using him in a prisoner swap with the U.S.

Another Russian-American citizen, Alsu Kurmasheva, a Prague-based editor with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was arrested last October.

American basketballer Brittney Griner spent months in detention in Russia before returning to the United States after a high-profile prisoner exchange in December 2022.