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 yr previous Ksenia Karelina has been detained by the Russian authorities on suspicion of offering cash to the Ukrainian army, which Russia is at warfare with.
Sky Information experiences 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 nice, 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 somewhat 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 ultimately allowed to proceed together with her journey, the authorities held on to Karelina’s mobile phone. Late in January, Karelina knowledgeable Van Heerden that she was on her method to retrieve the mobile phone. It was the final time the fighter was in a position to communicate together with her. “US officers grew to become 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 america of America, concerned in offering monetary help to a international state in actions directed towards the safety of our nation.” Footage of a lady who’s believed to be Karelina is seen in a video as she’s being led by way of a constructing by a uniformed official. The prisoner has a winter hat masking her eyes.
Boxing Insider reached out to america State Division as we speak for info. A Division Spokesperson responded with the next:
“We have now no larger precedence than the protection and safety of U.S. residents abroad.”
“We’re conscious of experiences {that a} U.S. citizen has been detained in Russia.”
“We take significantly our dedication to help U.S. residents overseas and supply all acceptable consular help.”
“Out of respect for her privateness, we now have 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.”
