Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian ballerina, was sentenced for 12 years for a $50 contribution

A Russian-American lady has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for treason after allegedly donating $50 to a US-based nonprofit that supports Ukraine. Ksenia Karelina, 33, a former semi-professional ballerina who pled guilty to the charges, was imprisoned at the Yekaterinburg detention center earlier this year while traveling from Russia to Los Angeles.

The Thursday verdict comes merely weeks after the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Karelina’s lawyer, Mikhaeil Mushailov, said he would appeal the verdict. He also told Reuters that Karelina, who holds dual American and Russian citizenship, hoped to be included in a similar swap in the future.

The Los Angeles resident had travelled to Russia in January to visit her grandparents.

Why was Ksenia Karelina detained? Chris Van Heerden, the amateur ballerina’s fiance, told CNN in February that Karelina “had no fear, she was so proud to be going home… she’s so proud of Russia.” Heerden, a former boxing champion in his own right, had bought her a ticket to Russia for her birthday. However, Karelina’s conviction on treason charges alleges that her charitable donation of just over $50 was paid to the New York-based non-profit Razom for Ukraine, which purchased equipment and ammunition for the Ukrainian army.