After several months in federal custody, Kseniia Petrova, a 30-year-old Russian-born Harvard researcher, was released on bail on Thursday, June 12. Petrova faces charges related to bringing frog embryos into the United States. Speaking to reporters while wearing a shirt with the phrase "Hakuna Matata," she said, "I just want to thank everybody," according to NBC Boston.
Petrova’s release comes ahead of a probable cause hearing scheduled for next week. As part of the bail agreement, her travel is restricted and her passport remains in government custody. Magistrate Judge Judith Dein, who approved the bail, ended the hearing with a casual remark: "I hear it’s sunny. Goodbye," as per WHDH News.
Petrova was initially detained at Boston Logan International Airport after returning from France. She was found carrying frog embryo samples intended for cancer research. U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged the materials, and the Department of Homeland Security alleged she attempted to mislead officers about their contents. Messages on her phone allegedly indicated an intent to avoid declaring the samples at customs.
Petrova disputed these claims stating the incident was a misunderstanding and that she did not intend to violate any regulations. A federal judge in Vermont later ruled that the actions of immigration officers were unlawful and confirmed that the embryos were nonliving and nonhazardous.
Her attorney, Greg Romanovsky, told that Petrova is now considering research opportunities abroad. Legal proceedings are ongoing.
