At the Zamoskvoretsky Court in Moscow, prosecutors pressed for a severe sentence in a case involving 74-year-old actress Natalia Drozhzhina. They requested six years in prison and a fine of 200 thousand rubles, tied to accusations of theft concerning apartments belonging to the family of the late actor Alexei Batalov, according to information reported by TASS.
The prosecutor also sought seven years of imprisonment and a 400 thousand ruble fine for Drozhzhina’s husband, lawyer Mikhail Tsivin, in connection with the same estate-related matters. In a separate line of contention, the court was asked to convict the third participant in the case, notary Dmitry Bubliy, with five years of imprisonment, a 300 thousand ruble fine, and a three-year ban on notary public activities.
Representatives of the injured party were present at the hearing, including the widow and People’s Artist of the USSR, Gitana Leontenko, as well as her daughter Maria. The ongoing estate transactions for the late Soviet actor Alexei Batalov began in October 2019. Following initial proceedings, both Drozhzhina and Tsivin were detained by authorities. Drozhzhina has claimed that Batalov himself and his wife Gitana Leontenko attempted to grant a power of attorney to manage the estate, a claim Leontenko denies, stating that she was misled by others during the signing of certain documents. The accused parties have denied all charges, maintaining their innocence throughout the process. (Attribution: TASS)
Legal observers note that the case underscores the complexities involved in managing the estates of prominent cultural figures and the potential for disputes among family members, heirs, and executors. The court has scheduled further sessions to hear evidence, review documents, and hear testimonies from other parties connected to the estate. Analysts suggest that the outcome could hinge on the interpretation of powers of attorney, the sequence of documents signed in 2019, and the credibility of presenting witnesses. The defense team has indicated it will pursue all available avenues to contest the charges and protect their clients’ interests. (Attribution: TASS)
Observers also highlight the broader implications for theatrical circles in Moscow, where the handling of legacies often intersects with public interest and media scrutiny. The case has drawn attention to how the estates of well-known performers are managed and who bears responsibility for fiduciary decisions that can affect family members and beneficiaries for years to come. Prosecutors emphasize the seriousness of alleged theft from an aristocratic lineage of artists, while defense counsel argues that the claimed missteps involve legitimate estate planning and standard legal procedures. (Attribution: TASS)
As the trial progresses, the legal teams will examine the chain of documents, the intent behind each signing, and the roles played by all parties involved. The proceedings will also consider whether any party engaged in improper influence or misrepresentation in the formalization of the estate arrangements. The court’s rulings in this matter will likely influence similar cases in the cultural sector, where estate management can become a focal point of family and public interest alike. (Attribution: TASS)