Judge dismisses frog embryo charges against Harvard researcher

A federal judge in Boston dismissed all charges against Harvard Medical School researcher Kseniia Petrova on Wednesday, granting prosecutors’ motion to end the case over alleged smuggling of frog embryos into the United States. Prosecutors said continuing the prosecution would divert resources from what they considered more substantial federal interests, while maintaining that Petrova’s claims of selective and vindictive prosecution were meritless. The dismissal followed a court ruling that allowed Petrova to seek government records to support her claim that she had been selectively prosecuted. Prosecutors said the resulting discovery demands and further litigation would require significant time and attention. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley also cited the office’s priorities and resources in asking the court to dismiss the case. Petrova’s lawyers argued that the prosecution was retaliatory and followed her challenge to immigration proceedings. In April 2026, a federal judge in Vermont ruled that her visa had been unlawfully canceled. A later ruling in Boston found she had presented sufficient evidence to obtain records supporting her selective-prosecution claim. The dismissal does...