Chris Van Heerden’s Girlfriend Was First Detained By Russian Authorities While Visiting Relatives

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 As was beforehand reported, 33 yr outdated Ksenia Karelina has been detained by the Russian authorities on suspicion of offering cash to the Ukrainian army, which Russia is at struggle with.

Sky News studies that Van Heerden “said she went to Russia on 2 January to see her 90-year-old grandmother and her other family members and intended to return to Los Angeles two weeks later.” Van Heerden is quoted as saying Karelina “was like, ‘I’m going to be fine, it’s good. I’m Russian, I’m good.” Van Heerden additionally admitting to having emotions of guilt. “This is also eating away at me a little bit,” he mentioned, “because I bought that plane ticket.”

Per Sky News, Karelina discovered herself being detained on the airport after arriving in Russia. Although she was finally allowed to proceed together with her journey, the authorities held on to Karelina’s cellular phone. Late in January, Karelina knowledgeable Van Heerden that she was on her approach to retrieve the cellular phone. It was the final time the fighter was capable of communicate together with her. “US officials became aware that she (Karelina) had been arrested on 8 February,” Sky News said.

The FSB (assume the KGB, solely a contemporary model) has said it “suppressed the illegal activities of a 33-year-old resident of Los Angeles, who has dual citizenship of Russia and the United States of America, involved in providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of our country.” Footage of a girl who’s believed to be Karelina is seen in a video as she’s being led by means of a constructing by a uniformed official. The prisoner has a winter hat protecting her eyes.

Boxing Insider reached out to the United States State Department right now for data. A Department Spokesperson responded with the next:

• “We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas.”
• “We are aware of reports that a U.S. citizen has been detained in Russia.”
• “We take seriously our commitment to assist U.S. citizens abroad and provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
• “Out of respect for her privacy, we have nothing further at this time.”

Van Heerden has taken to social media to ask the general public to hope for Karelina, “as her strength and courage are being tested to the utmost.”