Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
US prosecutors seek to drop charges against Harvard researcher
US prosecutors have asked to drop criminal charges against Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born researcher at Harvard Medical School.
The charges accused her of smuggling frog embryos into the United States and making a false statement to customs officials.
Petrova says her boss asked her to bring the samples back for experiments, and she has pleaded not guilty.
Her lawyers say the case was brought in retaliation for challenging her immigration proceedings.
A judge allowed her to seek government records to support her claim that she was selectively prosecuted.
Prosecutors called that claim meritless but said continuing the case would take time from more substantial federal interests.
The charges have not yet been dropped by the court; prosecutors have asked for the case to be dismissed.
US prosecutors have moved to drop smuggling and false statement charges against Harvard researcher Kseniia Petrova.
Petrova was accused of bringing frog embryos into the United States without declaring them to customs officials.
She argued that the charges were brought in retaliation for challenging immigration proceedings against her.
A Boston judge allowed Petrova to seek government records to support her claim of selective prosecution.
Prosecutors called her claims meritless but said continuing the case would divert time and attention from more substantial federal interests.
- Who
- US federal prosecutors and Kseniia Petrova, a researcher at Harvard Medical School.
- What
- Prosecutors moved to dismiss charges accusing Petrova of smuggling frog embryos and making a false statement.
- When
- The filing was made on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Federal court in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Why
- Prosecutors said continuing the case after a judge’s order would divert time and attention from more substantial federal interests.
US prosecutors
Kseniia Petrova and her lawyers
Selective prosecution claim
US prosecutors
Prosecutors described Petrova’s claims as meritless.
Kseniia Petrova and her lawyers
Petrova’s lawyers argued the charges were retaliation for her challenge to immigration proceedings and part of a broader campaign against researchers, universities and Harvard.
US immigration authorities took Petrova into custody at Boston airport after her visa was revoked upon her return from France.
Prosecutors brought a criminal case against Petrova.
Petrova was released on bail.
A federal judge in Vermont ruled that Petrova’s visa had been unlawfully canceled.
A Boston judge found Petrova had put forward sufficient evidence of selective prosecution to obtain government records.
Federal prosecutors filed to dismiss the charges.
- Defendant
- Kseniia Petrova
- Institution
- Harvard Medical School
- Alleged items
- Frog embryos
- Charges
- Smuggling and making a false statement
- Bail release
- June 2025
- Court filing
- Boston, November 3, 2026
4 sources
U.S. Drops Smuggling Charges Against Russian-Born Harvard Medical School Scientist
Prosecutors Seek to Drop Charges Against Russian Scientist Accused of Smuggling Frog Embryos
US moves to drop frog embryo smuggling charges against Harvard scientist
What people are saying
meritless
would divert significant time and attention from more substantial federal interests