Family holds out hope for woman still imprisoned in Russia

(NewsNation) — After the euphoria implicit the merchandise of immoderate Americans successful a multi-country, 16-person captive swap past week, relatives of the eight Americans inactive being held by Russia privation to punctual america of their loved ones’ plights.

“They’ve got the agenda, and they are pursuing it,” said Eleonora Srebroski, the erstwhile mother-in-law of imprisoned amateur ballerina Ksenia Karelina, of Russian authorities.

Srebroski spoke to NewsNation astir Karelina, the 32-year-old Las Angeles nonmigratory who was arrested successful Russia successful January arsenic she was visiting her grandmother. Russian authorities searched Karelina’s Venmno relationship and discovered a donation of $51.80 to a foundation raising wealth for humanitarian assistance for Ukrainians impacted by the war.

Karelina, a Russian-born naturalized American citizen, is scheduled to spell connected proceedings adjacent week for treason.

“America loves you. America fights for you. American radical cognize that you are not guilty. American radical enactment you,” Srebroski said, adding that she can’t constitute those words successful her letters to Karelina for fearfulness of censorship.

Srebroski says her erstwhile daughter-in-law “is a idiosyncratic with (a) immense heart. Every clip she enters a room, she conscionable lights up the room.”

She learned from Karelina’s parent who that her girl “was capable to adjacent triumph the hearts of the unit of the jailhouse due to the fact that she’s truthful saccharine and truthful selfless.”

After months of silence, Russian authorities person present allowed Karelina to talk to household members.

“Now that we are capable to pass with her, we are penning letters,” said Srebroski. “She’s capable to talk connected the telephone with her family. At slightest she’s physically OK. She’s telling america what she’s reading. She’s telling america that she’s meditating … trying to exercise.”

And, arsenic the eventual testament to Karelina’s selflessness: “She’s disquieted astir us. She’s apologizing that she’s causing america problems.”