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Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard University researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos into the United States. The decision follows a judge's ruling that allowed Petrova to gather evidence supporting her claim of vindictive prosecution. Petrova, a Russian national, was detained in February 2025 at Boston Logan International Airport after failing to declare the embryos upon her return from France.
The U.S. Justice Department stated that "the resource costs of continuing this prosecution outweigh the public interest in its resolution," according to Meduza. Prosecutors filed to dismiss the case with prejudice, which prevents future charges from being filed.
Petrova's legal team argued that the charges were part of a retaliatory campaign by the Trump administration targeting foreign students and faculty. Her lawyer, William Fick, expressed relief at the dismissal, stating, "We are pleased the DOJ has finally reached the appropriate conclusion."
The case attracted national attention amid broader immigration crackdowns and scrutiny of international students. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell and 17 U.S. senators had previously advocated for Petrova's release, highlighting concerns over her potential deportation to Russia, where she feared persecution due to her opposition to the war in Ukraine.