A federal judge has granted release to Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist and Harvard researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos into the U.S. The 30-year-old was detained for four months before her release on June 12, 2025, after a hearing in Boston.
Petrova was arrested in February at Boston Logan International Airport after returning from France, where she had obtained the frog embryos for her research. U.S. Customs and Border Protection questioned her upon her arrival, leading to her detention based on allegations she had lied about the materials. The Department of Homeland Security alleged she intended to smuggle these items without declaration based on messages found on her phone.
During an interview, Petrova claimed she was unaware that she needed to declare the samples upon entry into the United States and insisted she had no intention of smuggling. Initially, she was held in Vermont and later transferred to a Louisiana facility.
In a significant development, Magistrate Judge Judith Dein acknowledged the agreement between federal prosecutors and Petrova’s legal team, leading to her release while restricting her travel and holding her passport. Following her release, Petrova expressed gratitude for the support she received during her ordeal.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions related to sensitive materials and international scientists working in the U.S.
Source: www.foxnews.com
