Fact Check: Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard scientist who was arrested last month on a federal smuggling charge, was released Wednesday from federal custody following a detention hearing in Boston.

Fact Check: "Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard scientist who was arrested last month on a federal smuggling charge, was released Wednesday from federal custody following a detention hearing in Boston."

What We Know

Kseniia Petrova, a researcher at Harvard University, was indeed arrested on federal smuggling charges related to frog embryos. She was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after failing to declare these biological samples upon her arrival at Boston Logan International Airport in February 2025. Following a detention hearing in Boston, a federal judge ordered her release on bail on June 12, 2025, after she had spent several months in custody (Washington Post, New York Times). The judge ruled that Petrova did not pose a danger to the community and that the embryos in question were non-hazardous (AP News, NBC News).

Analysis

The claim regarding Petrova's release is supported by multiple credible news sources, including major outlets like the Washington Post and the New York Times. These reports confirm that a judge ordered her release after a hearing where her attorney argued that she posed no threat and had significant community ties. The judge's decision reflects a legal assessment that the immigration officers had acted unlawfully in detaining her and revoking her visa (AP News, Harvard Crimson).

The context of her detention is also important. Petrova was accused of smuggling, which, if convicted, could lead to severe penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence (Washington Post). However, her case has garnered support from colleagues at Harvard, who argue that her research is valuable and that the customs violation she committed typically results in fines rather than detention (New York Times, NBC News). This suggests that the severity of her treatment may be disproportionate to her actions.

The sources used in this fact-check are reliable and well-regarded in the field of journalism. They provide detailed accounts of the legal proceedings and the implications of Petrova's case, including statements from her attorney and colleagues, which lend credibility to the narrative of her unjust detention (AP News, USA Today).

Conclusion

The claim that Kseniia Petrova was released from federal custody following a detention hearing in Boston is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that she was indeed released on bail after a judge found that her detention was unwarranted and that she posed no danger to the community.

Fact Check: Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard scientist who was arrested last month on a federal smuggling charge, was released Wednesday from federal custody following a detention hearing in Boston.