The Moscow Tverskoy Court ordered the arrest in absentia of former Lenfilm director Fyodor Shcherbakov as part of a high-profile extortion investigation. The court announced this decision via the Moscow courts Telegram channel.
Under the court ruling, Shcherbakov was placed under a two-month detention measure while the proceedings continue.
During the hearing, investigators and prosecutors supported the request for the preventive measure. The prosecutor noted that Shcherbakov has reportedly been avoiding investigators from Turkey, where he is currently located, and that an in absentia arrest is necessary to secure international cooperation and a transfer to Russia.
Legal counsel Irina Krasnova challenged the prosecution’s position, arguing that the alleged criminal actions occurred two to three years ago and therefore the risk of evidence destruction does not apply. Krasnova emphasized that the investigation can proceed without detention and that detaining the defendant would not help uncover the truth.
Earlier in March, law enforcement representatives asked the Moscow Tverskoy Court to arrest Shcherbakov in absentia. He faces charges under paragraph B of Part 3 of Article 163 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for extortion with the aim of obtaining property, especially on a large scale. The case is linked to an extortion incident involving a senior executive at Rostec, Vasily Brovko, who is married to TV presenter Tina Kandelaki according to reports.
In December, media outlets reported that Shcherbakov’s business partner, PR professional Anton Safonov, left Russia for Turkey amid his own criminal case. Fontanka noted that Shcherbakov had been named as a witness in that matter. By February, the former Lenfilm head had been placed on the wanted list.
Previously, the star of Streets of Broken Lights had spoken about alleged retaliation from Alla Pugacheva, illustrating how a veteran of the industry can become entangled in public and legal disputes. This case continues to unfold within the Russian legal system, drawing attention to the intersections of film industry leadership, law enforcement, and international cooperation in criminal matters.
At present, authorities are pursuing formal procedures to proceed with the absentia arrest, and the case remains a focal point for discussions about the accountability of executives within major cultural institutions. The development underscores ongoing efforts by Russian authorities to address extortion and related crimes that cross national borders and involve high-profile individuals connected to the film industry.