Blogger Lerchek's house arrest was extended until March 26

Troitsky District Court of Moscow has extended house arrest until March 26 for blogger Valeria Chekalina (Lerchek) in the case of withdrawal of more than 250 million rubles from Russia. This was reported by a correspondent of "Izvestia" on January 22.

The investigator asked to extend the measure of restraint, noting that it's impossible to finish the investigation of the case within the established timeframe.

The blogger herself believes that the investigation can be conducted even if she is banned from certain actions. Lerchek stated that she needs to feed her children, because "it's hard to live without money."

Thecriminal case against the blogger and her ex-husband Artem Chekalin was initiated on October 2 last year. The former husband and wife, as well as their accomplice, were suspected of illegally transferring more than 250 million rubles from Russia to Dubai using forged documents (Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to Izvestiya's source, the damage from the bloggers' crime could exceed 500 million rubles. The Chekalins were sent under house arrest on October 4, along with their business partner Roman Vishnyakov.

Later, on November 25, the Troitsky Court of Moscow extended the house arrest of the ex-spouses, who are accused of illegally withdrawing funds abroad.