Russian scientist Kseniia Petrov released from ICE custody following accusations of smuggling frog embryos

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.

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.

Petrova, a Russian citizen, was taken into custody in May after prosecutors in Massachusetts accused her of smuggling frog embryos into the United States without properly declaring them.

She was released Thursday on conditions agreed to by both sides. A probable cause hearing on the smuggling charge is tentatively set for June 18.

Petrova had been in custody since February, when her visa was revoked at Boston Logan International Airport.

“I just want to thank everybody,” Petrova said outside the federal courthouse in Boston after her release. She said letters and messages from supporters helped her feel less alone while in custody. “It was a huge support without which I won’t be able to survive,” she said.