Judge grants bail to ICE for Harvard researcher, yet she remains detained due to ongoing criminal accusations
Harvard Researcher Kseniia Petrova Granted Release from ICE Custody, Yet Remains Detained over Frog Embryo Smuggling Charges
A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Kseniia Petrova, a 30-year-old researcher at Harvard University, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on Wednesday, but she remains detained to face charges related to the alleged smuggling of frog embryos.
Petrova was detained by customs agents at Logan International Airport in Boston in February for allegedly trying to bring frog embryo samples into the U.S. as part of her cancer research. The samples were obtained during a vacation in France at a specialized lab conducting superfine splicing of frog embryos.
In a statement, Petrova's attorney, Greg Romanovsky, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present evidence that the researcher was not carrying anything harmful or unlawful. He argued that customs officers at Logan International Airport had no legal authority to revoke her visa or detain her, stating that the samples were intended for scientific research and not contraband.
Petrova will now be transported to Massachusetts to face criminal charges for attempting to smuggle the embryos into the U.S. The outcome of a forthcoming bail hearing in this criminal case could determine her release. Although released from ICE detention, Petrova remains detained on the smuggling-related charges.
Federal prosecutors have charged Petrova with one count of smuggling goods into the U.S., which carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
This charge is a significant concern for Petrova, as she fears deportation back to her native Russia, where she believes she could face persecution due to her past political activities. Her legal team is contesting the deportation and working to secure her release on bail during the criminal case proceedings.
Petrova's research in advanced embryonic development studies explores regeneration and aging biology. Her colleagues and external scientists, including biotech entrepreneur Michael West, have publicly supported her work, with one describing her published work as "excellent science" and noting the high demand for her medical research skills in the scientific community.
Despite the legal and personal challenges facing Petrova, her team remains hopeful that justice will prevail, and she can continue her groundbreaking research.
International scientists, including biotech entrepreneur Michael West, have spoken out in support of Kseniia Petrova, expressing concern about the potential impact of her detention on health-and-wellness research, particularly in the field of advanced embryonic development studies. Despite being granted release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, Petrova remains detained as she faces charges related to the alleged smuggling of frog embryos for scientific research purposes.
