A Russian scientist working at Harvard Medical School, Kseniia Petrova, has been detained by US immigration for months and now faces charges of smuggling frog embryos into the United States. These charges could potentially lead to a sentence of up to 20 years and fines of up to $250,000. Petrova, who was originally detained in February upon attempting to enter the United States through Boston Logan International Airport, has been held at a Louisiana detention facility for the past three months.
In a press release issued on May 14th, the US district attorney’s Massachusetts office alleged that Petrova’s text messages show her awareness of the requirement to declare the embryos before entering the United States. Petrova’s lawyer, Gregory Romanovsky, dismissed the case as “meritless” and questioned the timing of her transfer to criminal custody, suggesting it was done after a judge set a bail hearing to consider her release.
Petrova detailed her ordeal in a recent New York Times op-ed, explaining her research and detention experience. She left Russia after being arrested for protesting against the Ukraine war and found a welcoming environment for science at Harvard Medical School. Petrova, who supports the impeachment of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fears deportation to Russia due to her political stances. Her research focuses on aging and the chemical makeup of cells, which she believes could lead to healthier life spans and treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Petrova mentioned that her colleagues’ research at Harvard has come to a halt without her help. Her supervisor, Leon Peshkin, praised her research, stating that she is one of the best scientists he has seen during his 20 years
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/14/russian-scientist-harvard-charged
