Father of ballerina Ksenia Karelina who is charged with treason in Russia over $51 charity donation breaks silence saying her family is 'at a loss' over her arrest

The distraught father of Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina is 'at a loss' on how to help her after she was arrested on treason charges by Vladimir Putin's FSB security service.

Speaking publicly for the first time in an interview with DailyMail.com, Pavel Karelina, 56, said he couldn't comment on the Russian government's ongoing case against his daughter, but thanked the public for their support. 

'We really can't say anything now. We ourselves are at a loss to understand what's going on,' said Pavel, a general director of a transport equipment company. 'Please understand. Thank you for your good wishes.'

Speaking publicly for the first time, Pavel Karelina, 56, told DailyMail.com the family is 'at a loss to understand what's going on' with their daughter Ksenia

Ksenia Karelina, 33, pictured with her father Pavel , mother Liliya, and younger sister, remains detained in Russia on high treason charges 

Putin's secret security force the FSB arrested Karelina on treason charges in January, officials confirmed Tuesday. Video show released this week showed Ksenia blindfolded in custody

Ksenia, 33, a dual citizen who lives in Los Angeles, was in Russia visiting her father, mother Liliya, 52, and younger sister Anya, 11, in the city of Yekaterinburg when she was detained. Her detention was not disclosed until this week. 

She is accused of funding Ukraine's armed forces after donating to a charity and is now facing up to 20 years in prison.

While Ksenia holds dual citizenship, her American passport in Russia is not taken into account.

A family friend said Ksenia's relatives were 'deeply shocked' over her detention.

Family pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show her with her relatives in Russia for the first time.

President Vladimir Putin has put in place draconian laws to stifle criticism of his war in Ukraine. A video from the FSB shows Ksenia being held by the security service.

It is now understood when she arrived at Koltsovo airport in Yekaterinburg her cell phone was checked using the search word 'Ukraine'.

Karelina, a dual citizen, moved to the US after graduating from college in her homeland in 2013

Ksenia, who was visiting her family in Russia last month, is accused of funding Ukraine's armed forces after donating to a charity and is now facing up to 20 years in prison

The case has further fueled fears that Western citizens with Russian passports are being targeted for arrest in Russia

Law enforcement allegedly found evidence of a bank transfer for $51.80 to a pro-Ukrainian foundation in America.

They did not detain her immediately but invited her next day to come to a police station.

'They said that you just need to sign a piece of paper and there will be no more questions,' said one Telegram channel account.

When she arrived, it is reported by Yekaterinburg journalist Dmitry Kolezev, she was confronted by FSB officers.

She was then held for 14 days on an administrative charge of 'using obscene language in a public place'.

After the two week period was up, she was told she was facing more serious charges alleging treason.

Pavel and Liliya Karelina are 'at a loss' on how to help their imprisoned daughter

Family photos obtained by DailyMail.com show Ksenia with her relatives in Russia for the first time

On her Facebook page, Karelina says that she's from Yekaterinburg and that she studied ballet at the S. P. Diaghilev school

For now it appears that she could be locked up for 20 years for allegedly making a payment of $51.80 to a US-based Ukrainian charity, Razom.

In a statement, Razom's CEO Dora Chomiak sad the organization is 'appalled at Karelina's arrest.

'Vladimir Putin has repeatedly shown that he holds no soveregn border, foreign nationality or international treaty above his own narrow interest,' Chomiak said.

'His regime attacks civil society activists who stand up for freedom and democracy.' 

Ksenia, who works at a spa in Beverly Hills, California, had traveled to Russia on January 2. 

The case has further fueled fears that Western citizens who also have Russian passports are being targeted for arrest in Russia.

They risk becoming human bargaining chips who can be bartered for exchange deals to bring back Russian criminals in US and other Western jails.

Russia has arrested other US nationals, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, in his case on bogus espionage charges.

Earlier this month, Putin hinted in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that 'an agreement can be reached' on Gershkovich.