Russian-American woman detained for treason said Russia was 'safe' before trip there

A Russian-American detained in Russia on a treason charge carrying up to 20 years in prison told her boyfriend "it's safe there" before she travelled to see relatives in Yekaterinburg, the woman's former mother-in-law said.

A Russian court on Thursday rejected an appeal by Ksenia Karelina, a 32-year-old resident of Los Angeles, who was detained by the FSB security service on suspicion of raising funds for Ukraine's armed forces.

Karelina's lawyer had asked the court to lift her detention and replace it with house arrest, state news agency RIA said.