Kseniia Petrova, a 30-year-old Russian-born Harvard researcher, has been charged with smuggling frog embryos into the U.S. after her February arrest at Logan Airport. Following her detention in a Louisiana ICE facility, her lawyer has requested her transfer back to Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege she initially lied to customs officers about carrying biological materials. If convicted, she risks a 20-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Petrova, who fears imprisonment upon deportation to Russia due to her anti-war stance, maintains the samples were for research and declares she did not intend to break any laws.

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Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard, is facing deportation and criminal charges for allegedly smuggling frog embryos into the U.S. after failing to declare them at customs.
Petrova claims she did not realize she needed to declare the biological samples, and her research may have significant implications for medicine, particularly in aging and diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.
Her case raises concerns about the treatment of foreign scientists in the U.S., with implications for scientific collaboration and the recruitment of international talent.

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Russian scientist held in Ice jail charged with smuggling frog embryos into US

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Russian scientist held in Ice jail charged with smuggling frog embryos into US

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Russian scientist Kseniia Petrova, already facing deportation, charged with smuggling frog embryos into U.S.

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Russian scientist Kseniia Petrova, already facing deportation, charged with smuggling frog embryos into U.S.

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Harvard researcher charged with trying to smuggle frog embryos asks for transfer to Massachusetts

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Harvard researcher charged with trying to smuggle frog embryos asks for transfer to Massachusetts

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Harvard researcher charged with trying to smuggle frog embryos into United States

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Harvard researcher charged with trying to smuggle frog embryos into United States

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Harvard researcher in ICE custody charged with smuggling frog embryos into Boston

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Harvard researcher in ICE custody charged with smuggling frog embryos into Boston

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Harvard Scientist Charged with Trying to Smuggle Frog Embryos into U.S.

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Harvard Scientist Charged with Trying to Smuggle Frog Embryos into U.S.

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: Kseniia Petrova is charged with smuggling frog embryos into the United States. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
Meduza
: Petrova fears persecution in Russia due to her anti-war views and criticism of the Kremlin.
Meduza
: Petrova is currently being held in a federal prison facility in Louisiana. Her legal team has requested her transfer to Massachusetts.
ABC News
: Petrova was carrying noninfectious and non-toxic frog embryos for research purposes. She claims she did not intend to break any laws.
ABC News

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