The Blinovskaya Case: Transfer to Moscow’s Savelovsky Court
The criminal proceedings involving Elena Blinovskaya have been moved to the Savelovsky District Court in Moscow, as announced by the court’s press service. The case file now rests with this court, which is handling the charges against the blogger related to financial offenses under Russian law.
According to the court’s statement, Elena Olegovna Blinovskaya stands accused of criminal activity that comprises several components: violations tied to tax obligations, as well as elements related to the movement of funds. The charges listed reference Part 2 of Article 198 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, with additional mentions tied to Article 174.1 and related provisions. In the formal materials, the case is described as including a violation covered under Article 187, and it is noted as part of a two-part framework. The court’s wording signals a complex file with multiple legal provisions interacting within the tax and financial circulation domain. [source: court press service]
Authorities allege that the blogger failed to pay taxes amounting to more than 918 million rubles and engaged in operations that involved laundering funds exceeding 43 million rubles. The scope of the alleged financial crimes has positioned the case among the more significant tax-related probes in recent months. [source: court press service]
Earlier in August, the Moscow prosecutor’s office approved an indictment in the Blinovskaya matter, marking a formal stage in the criminal process. The timing aligns with the broader timeline of investigations into high-value tax and financial offenses within the capital region. [source: prosecutor’s office report]
The case was initially opened at the end of April 2023, when authorities commenced a tax-evasion inquiry. Prosecutors and investigators contend that Blinovskaya owes the state approximately 918 million rubles, a figure that has become central to the allegations and has influenced subsequent procedural steps. [source: investigative records]
In January of the current year, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court extended the investigative phase by approving a request from the Investigative Committee, placing Blinovskaya in a pre-trial detention facility for three months, through late April. In addition to the tax-theft allegations, she faced an accusation under another article of the Criminal Code related to the illegal circulation of means of payment, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the case. [source: court ruling]
The Moscow City Court later extended Blinovskaya’s detention for an additional three months. Blinovskaya’s defense, led by attorney Natalia Salnikova, indicated that efforts were underway to lift the seizure of portions of the defendant’s property to facilitate debt repayment. The legal maneuvering around asset freezes has been a notable feature of the proceedings, illustrating how asset security measures intersect with ongoing investigations. [source: defense statement]
Reporters and observers noted Blinovskaya’s stated intention to sell a parking facility to help satisfy outstanding debts. This potential disposition of assets appears to be part of broader discussions about restoring liquidity and meeting obligations alleged by the state. [source: court and press briefings]
Public commentary on the matter has included remarks from Blinovskaya’s spouse, who suggested that addressing the debt could be an extraordinarily lengthy process. While such remarks provide insight into private perspectives surrounding the case, the formal legal proceedings and court documents remain the authoritative record on the status and developments. [source: interviews and court filings]
The evolving situation highlights how tax and financial crimes cases can unfold through multiple courts and procedural phases. As the Savelovsky District Court takes up the matter, observers expect continued updates on indictment status, detention conditions, asset actions, and potential rulings that could shape the trajectory of the case. The proceedings will likely address both the tax liability figure and the broader questions raised by the alleged laundering operations, alongside any subsequent legal consequences for the defendant. [source: ongoing case docket]