Judge orders release of Harvard researcher charged with smuggling frog embryos

Russian-born scientist Kseniia Petrova was doing research to advance cancer cures, colleagues testified

A federal judge in Vermont on Wednesday released a Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher from immigration custody as she deals with a criminal charge of smuggling frog embryos into the United States.

Colleagues and academics also testified on Kseniia Petrova's behalf, saying she is doing valuable research to advance cures for cancer.