Moscow City Court keeps ex-spouse of blogger Lerchek under house arrest

Moscow City Court has left the ex-spouse of blogger Lerchek (Valeria Chekalina) Artem under house arrest. This follows from the case card, with which "Izvestia" got acquainted on December 17.

Chekalina's defense side asked to change the blogger's measure of restraint to a ban on certain actions. However, the complaint was rejected.

On November 25, Troitsky Court of Moscow extended house arrest of ex-spouses Chekalin, accused of illegal withdrawal of funds abroad.

A new criminal case was opened against them on October 2. Chekaliny and their accomplice are suspected of illegal withdrawal of more than 250 million rubles from Russia to Dubai using forged documents (Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Izvestia source said that the damage from the bloggers' activities may exceed 500 million rubles. On October 4, they were sent under house arrest along with their business partner Roman Vishnyakov.

In March 2023, a case was opened against Valeria and her husband for non-payment of taxes in the amount of about 300 million rubles and legalization of more than 130 million rubles obtained by criminal means. At the end of December 2023, the Investigative Committee of Russia closed the case of non-payment of taxes, but refused to stop the proceedings on money laundering. On January 15, it became known that Valeria and Artem Chekaliny pleaded guilty and fully paid the tax arrears, penalties and a fine of 504 million rubles.