Extortion Allegations Surround Kremlin Laundress Telegram Channel Director
The Moscow case involving Mikhail Polyakov, identified by some sources as the possible director of the Kremlin Laundress Telegram channel, centers on allegations of extorting 40 million rubles from the Lanit group of IT companies. The information was conveyed by the press service of Moscow courts.
Prosecutors say that between 2020 and 2023 Polyakov allegedly collected a substantial sum from a cluster of IT firms in exchange for withholding information. The material in question referred to a so-called negative block that could significantly harm the rights and legitimate interests of Lanit JSC and its management, according to the report.
On July 15, the Tverskoy Court in Moscow finalized arrangements surrounding Polyakov, keeping him in detention until September 12 as investigators pursue charges of extortion.
Earlier, some media reports indicated that investigators sought Polyakov’s arrest in connection with his role as director of the Kremlin Laundress Telegram channel.
Simultaneously, reports from Moscow stated that law enforcement had detained a former FSB colonel who ran several Telegram channels, including Kremlin Laundress and Siloviki. Early information suggests he is suspected of extorting prominent politicians and large business figures.
In a separate case, a prior Moscow court judged a notable figure known as the hero of Abkhazia, sentencing him to 16 years in prison on charges related to murder and other crimes involving seeds.
These events underscore ongoing investigations into online influence operations and possible coercive practices linked to digital channels and high-profile figures in Russia. Legal authorities have emphasized that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, with proceedings continuing to determine the facts and applicable penalties. The Lanit case remains a focal point as prosecutors detail the alleged sequence of payments, the scope of the alleged scheme, and the parties involved. The public record indicates that authorities are pursuing a rigorous examination of communications, financial transfers, and the roles of various actors connected to the channels in question. Further updates are anticipated as court proceedings unfold and additional testimony is collected [press service Moscow courts].