BOSTON (AP) – Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher has been charged Smuggling of frog embryos In the US, a judge shared a hug and laughter with supporters after the judge released her from federal custody on Thursday.
“I want to thank everyone,” Kseniia Petrova said outside the federal building in Boston shortly after her release.
She wore a T-shirt that said “No worries,” a popular phrase from “The Lion King.”
“A lot of people started contacting me and sending letters, which was a huge support that I couldn’t survive,” she said.
“I never felt really alone when I was in custody. It really helped me so much,” Petrova added.
Petrova, 30, was taken to court in an orange jumpsuit, and has been in federal custody since February.
The lawyers on both sides have reached an agreement regarding the terms of Petrova’s release, including restrictions on her travels. Authorities still hold her passport. Petrova will need to return to court next week due to a possible hearing on smuggling charges.
“I heard it’s sunny. Goodbye,” Judge Judge Judith Daine said after approving the agreement.
Petrova’s lawyer, Greg Romanovsky, said his client “decided whether she still wants to remain in the United States.”
“She has offers from various countries around the world who are eager to support the important research she is doing. She is currently weighing her options.
Petrova returned from his vacation in France earlier this year. There, we stopped by a lab specializing in the superfine section of frog embryos to get a package of samples for our research. She was questioned about the sample while passing the US Customs and Border Protection Checkpoint at Boston Logan International Airport.
After questioning, Petrova was told that her visa had been cancelled.
Petrova was temporarily detained by a Vermont immigration officer, where she filed a petition seeking release. She was later sent to the US Immigration Customs Enforcement Facility in Louisiana.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on social media platform X that Petrova was “detained after lying to a federal officer about carrying material into the country.” They alleged that her cell phone message “revealed that she was planning to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them.”
She told The Associated Press In the interview In April, she wasn’t aware of the items she needed to declare and wasn’t trying to sneak anything into the country.
In May, Petrova was charged with smuggling in Massachusetts after a federal judge in Vermont set a hearing date for her petition. The judge later ruled The actions of immigration officials were illegal, Petrova was not at risk, the embryos were non-organisms, non-hazardous, and “subjected no threat to anyone.”
The judge released Petrova from ice custody, but she maintained custody of the former US Bureau of S on smuggling charges prior to her release on Thursday.
His colleagues and scholars testify on Petrova’s behalf, saying they are doing valuable research to advance cancer treatments.
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McCormack reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
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