Russian Scientist Indicted on Smuggling Charges
A Harvard researcher faces serious legal repercussions after being charged with felony offenses related to smuggling.
In Boston, a federal grand jury has indicted Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard Medical School, for allegedly smuggling scientific samples into the US and making false statements to customs officials. After being detained in February while returning from France with frog embryos, Petrova’s case has drawn international attention, highlighting the challenges faced by noncitizen academics. Despite acknowledging her failure to declare the samples, her lawyer argues that her treatment has been overly severe. The smuggling charge alone carries potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison. One judge has already raised doubts about the government's actions against her.
A Harvard researcher faces serious legal repercussions after being charged with felony offenses related to smuggling.
In Boston, a federal grand jury has indicted Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard Medical School, for allegedly smuggling scientific samples into the US and making false statements to customs officials. After being detained in February while returning from France with frog embryos, Petrova’s case has drawn international attention, highlighting the challenges faced by noncitizen academics. Despite acknowledging her failure to declare the samples, her lawyer argues that her treatment has been overly severe. The smuggling charge alone carries potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison. One judge has already raised doubts about the government's actions against her.
