A Russian scientist currently imprisoned and facing deportation for allegedly attempting to smuggle frog embryos into the U.S. “will face serious risks for opposing the Putin regime” if returned to her home country, her attorney argues.

Kseniia Petrova, a 30-year-old Harvard research associate, was formally indicted on smuggling charges following her arrest on February 16 at Boston’s Logan International Airport after her flight from Paris, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.

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Petrova’s attorney Gregory Romanovsky in a statement to the New York Post called the case against his client “meritless” and Customs and Border Protection had “no legal basis” for canceling her visa and detaining her.

Less than two hours after the Vermont judge set a hearing on Kseniia’s release she was suddenly transferred from ICE to criminal custody. This is not a coincidence. It is an attempt by the government to justify its outrageous and legally indefensible position that this scientist working for the US on cures for cancer and aging research has somehow become a danger to the community. The government confirmed in court yesterday its intent to deport Kseniia to Russia, where it knows she will face grave danger for opposing the Putin regime.

Upon her arrival into Massachusetts, a CBP dog alerted his handler of a checked bag belonging to Petrova.

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Agents further searched the bag and reportedly located possible biological items. Petrova at first denied having any such items, the affidavit said. But agents determined the alleged items inside a foam box within a duffel bag contained frog embryos in microcentrifuges and embryo slides. At this point, Petrova admitted her bag had biological specimens inside, officers claim. She was asked if she knew she was supposed to declare the items before entry into the U.S., and after a pause she allegedly said she was “not sure.”

A search of her phone suggested otherwise. Agents allegedly discovered a text message from one of her colleagues. The message allegedly said “if you bring samples or antibody back, make sure you get the permission etc. Like that link I sent to leon-/group chat about frog embryos because TSA went through my bags at customs in Boston.”