Russia-born Harvard University scientist Kseniia Petrova is accused of smuggling biomaterials into the United States - in this case, the case has raised legal and civil rights issues regarding his detention.

Federal prosecutors claim that Petrova, 30, failed to announce the preserved frog embryo in her luggage when she arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on February 16, violating U.S. Customs law. She now faces allegations of smuggling goods into the United States.

According to a criminal lawsuit filed this week's seal and made public on Wednesday, CBP dogs warned police officer Petrova's duffel bag, which was later searched. The officer found clawed frog embryos, paraffin slides and other samples.

When questioned for the first time, Petrova “denied carrying any biological material”. After showing a message to her phone, she advised her to "make sure you get permission etc. Like I sent a link to Leon/group chat about frog embryos, because TSA browsed my luggage in customs in Boston," she admitted. When asked if she knew she had to announce them, she replied that she was “not sure.”

Petrova describes the incident differently.

"They asked me if there were any biological samples in my suitcase. I said yes," she previously told NBC News in Louisiana custody. She described the confusion over customs procedures and conducted lengthy interrogations of customs and border protection officials.

"No one knows what's going on in me. I have no contact, no contact with the lawyer, not Leon, nor anyone," she said. "The next day, they didn't say what would happen. I'm waiting in the cell."

The document states that Petrova told customs and border patrol officials that she protested the Russian Federation and expressed concerns about returning. She asked to go to France, where she had a valid Schengen visa, but was later detained, at the Ridgewood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana.

During a habeas-friendly trial in Vermont federal court on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss questioned the legitimacy of the government's actions. "Where do customs and border patrol officers have their own power to revoke their visas?" she asked. “I can’t see customs about violations.”

Petrova's lawyer Gregory Romanovsky believes that the government's actions are beyond its authority. “There is no unacceptable reason,” he said. “You cannot find that you are unacceptable due to violations.”

Romanovsky added: "She was willing to go to Paris, but the government did not let her."

Reiss is scheduled to hold a tentative bail hearing on May 28 and requests further introduction to whether the court has jurisdiction to release Petrova.