By: Sean Crose
The girlfriend of former IBO welterweight titlist Chris Van Heerden remained in custody in Russia as of Thursday. As was beforehand reported, 33 12 months outdated Ksenia Karelina has been detained by the Russian authorities on suspicion of offering cash to the Ukrainian navy, which Russia is at warfare with.
Sky Information stories that Van Heerden “mentioned she went to Russia on 2 January to see her 90-year-old grandmother and her different relations and supposed to return to Los Angeles two weeks later.” Van Heerden is quoted as saying Karelina “was like, ‘I’m going to be tremendous, it’s good. I’m Russian, I’m good.” Van Heerden additionally admitting to having emotions of guilt. “That is additionally consuming away at me a bit of bit,” he mentioned, “as a result of I purchased that aircraft ticket.”
Per Sky Information, Karelina discovered herself being detained on the airport after arriving in Russia. Though she was finally allowed to proceed along with her journey, the authorities held on to Karelina’s mobile phone. Late in January, Karelina knowledgeable Van Heerden that she was on her strategy to retrieve the mobile phone. It was the final time the fighter was in a position to converse along with her. “US officers turned conscious that she (Karelina) had been arrested on 8 February,” Sky Information said.
The FSB (assume the KGB, solely a contemporary model) has said it “suppressed the unlawful actions of a 33-year-old resident of Los Angeles, who has twin citizenship of Russia and the USA of America, concerned in offering monetary help to a overseas state in actions directed in opposition to the safety of our nation.” Footage of a girl who’s believed to be Karelina is seen in a video as she’s being led via a constructing by a uniformed official. The prisoner has a winter hat protecting her eyes.
Boxing Insider reached out to the USA State Division at present for info. A Division Spokesperson responded with the next:
“We have now no increased precedence than the protection and safety of U.S. residents abroad.”
“We’re conscious of stories {that a} U.S. citizen has been detained in Russia.”
“We take critically our dedication to help U.S. residents overseas and supply all acceptable consular help.”
“Out of respect for her privateness, we’ve got nothing additional at the moment.”
Van Heerden has taken to social media to ask the general public to wish for Karelina, “as her energy and braveness are being examined to the utmost.”
