BOSTON — A federal grand jury has indicted Ksenia Petrova, a Russian scientist affiliated with Harvard Medical School, on multiple charges related to the alleged smuggling of frog embryos. The U.S. Justice Department announced the indictment, which includes accusations of making false statements and concealing material facts.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on February 16 when customs personnel stopped Petrova at Boston Logan International Airport. She was returning from France while carrying biological samples that had not been declared. Following the incident, immigration officials revoked her research visa and relocated her between various detention facilities before formally charging her in July.
Petrova’s attorney, Gregory Romanovsky, has described the smuggling charge as “outrageous and legally indefensible.” He argues that the non-living frog embryos are not classified as restricted biological materials under U.S. customs law, which means she should not have needed a permit for their transport.
During the proceedings, authorities claimed that Petrova initially denied having the undeclared biological material but later acknowledged its presence. Further evidence suggested that messages from her phone indicated an awareness of the necessary permissions for transporting the samples.
The indictment from the grand jury in Boston consists of three counts, one of which carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years for smuggling, while the charges of making false statements and concealing information could each result in up to five years in prison.
Following her arraignment, Petrova was released on bail on June 12 and is currently on pretrial release, which requires her to adhere to certain conditions until her next court date. She has expressed concerns about facing potential arrest or harm if she is deported back to Russia, especially in light of her political activism. In 2022, she was reportedly detained in Russia for protesting the country’s military actions in Ukraine.
This ongoing case highlights the complex intersection of scientific research, immigration law, and international relations at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Russia. It underscores the challenges faced by researchers who navigate legal frameworks while contributing to scientific advancements.
The Justice Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, further illustrating the government’s focus on safeguarding national security and regulatory compliance in biological research.
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