South African boxer Chris van Heerden is celebrating the return of his Russian-American girlfriend, Ksenia Karelina, who was freed from a Russian prison thanks to the assistance of US President Donald Trump.
The professional ballerina was convicted of treason over her comments about the war in Ukraine.
Chris, a former IBO welterweight champion, now lives in the US with his partner. Ksenia has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to “rebuild” her life after prison.
TRUMP HELPS SET CHRIS VAN HEERDEN’S GIRLFRIEND FREE
Last week, Ksenia Karelina was released back to the US in a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington, facilitated by President Trump.
The deal was brokered after Chris Heerden’s friend contacted UFC CEO Dana White, who is close to Trump.
The US President said during a media conference last week that assisting Ksenia’s plight to return to the US was “at the request of a very good friend of mine, Dana White”.
He added: “And we spoke to President [Vladimir] Putin about it, and they made a deal and they released the young ballerina. And she is now out, and that was good. And we hope that we’re going to be able to make a deal relatively soon with Russia and Ukraine to stop the fighting.”
EMOTIONAL REUNION
Last week, Chris van Heerden and Ksenia Karelina reunited after she spent 15 months in a Russian prison.
The Trump facilitated prisoner exchange took place in Abu Dhabi between the US and Russian authorities.
He told the Daily Maverick:“She [Ksenia] got on a private jet and flew to Washington, DC. That is where I waited for her on the tarmac. She arrived in DC. It was unreal, unreal. I was very, very nervous. But when she came down from that plane and hugged me, it felt real. The nerves were gone.
The couple shared an emotional reunion as seen in pictures posted on social media.
“Love wins”, Chris posted from his X account.
In the post, Chris thanked President Trump, who shares the same views of “white genocide in South Africa” as the boxer – for his help.
He posted: “Single-handedly my greatest accomplishment in my life…FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!! Jesus answered prayer. Thank you, Mr President. 15 months of never-die, never-give-up attitude”
WHAT DID KSENIA KAROLINA DO?
In early 2024, Ksenia Karelina – who has dual Russian and US citizenship – was arrested in Russia on a trip to visit her family. The professional ballerina was flagged by Russian authorities after she donated $51.80 to a charity supporting humanitarian endevours in Ukraine.
During her trial, she was accused of “organizing fundraisers for Ukraine’s military, attending pro-Ukraine rallies and posting social media messages against Russia’s war in Ukraine”.
She was found guilty of treason and was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.
According to her boyfriend, Chris van Heerden, he approached the Joe Biden administration for help in releasing Ksenia, but to no avail.
He told the media, “I had faith, and I truly believed that when President Trump came into power, he could do it. And he did it.”
Both Chris and Ksenia are hoping to personally meet and thank Trump for his help.
DO YOU THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HELP MORE PRISONERS ABROAD?
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