The prosecutor’s office has filed a court case against Lyudmila Stein, known as Lucy Stein, a former deputy mayor of Moscow and a public figure associated with the Pussy Riot group in past years. The charge centers on alleged fraud connected to the Russian Armed Forces. The information about the filing appeared on Telegram channels affiliated with the metropolitan department, which monitor local legal developments and public statements. The case marks another chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of actions attributed to Stein in relation to military matters, and it has attracted attention from observers who follow regional governance and legal accountability in the capital.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Stein held the position of deputy in the Basmanny district of Moscow on March 27, 2022. In that role, she reportedly used a social media platform to publish information described as reliable but which the authorities contend was deliberately false in nature. The key allegation is that the messaging claimed Russian soldiers had committed war crimes, a claim the office asserts was fabricated for purposes of influence and public perception rather than based on verified facts.
The charges describe a potential consequence for Stein that includes a significant financial penalty and a lengthy prison term. Specifically, prosecutors seek a fine in the range of several million rubles and a prison sentence extending up to ten years, reflecting the seriousness with which such alleged misrepresentations about military conduct are viewed within the current legal framework.
On February 6, official statements indicated that investigators had opened a criminal case against Lyudmila Stein. The process involves standard procedures in which authorities assess the evidentiary materials, question witnesses if needed, and determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed toward trial. The case remains part of the broader pattern of investigations into public communications about the armed forces and the responsibilities of public officials in the information space.
Stein reportedly remained outside of the courtroom at the time of initial developments and was not present for certain procedural actions. In such situations, authorities may pursue in absentia measures if warranted by the circumstances and legal provisions. If the allegations are ultimately proven false, the authorities indicated that Stein would be placed on a wanted list consistent with applicable legal procedures. The in absentia status underscores the gravity with which the case is being treated by prosecutors and courts, given the potential impact on public trust and national security considerations. The investigation and its progression are expected to attract continued public and media scrutiny as details emerge and the legal process unfolds.
This case follows a separate, notable ruling in Moscow’s Basmanny Court regarding Veronica Belotserkovskaya, a blogger who has been described in some reports as a foreign agent within Russia. Belotserkovskaya received a nine-year prison sentence in a related matter involving allegations of forgery connected to the Russian Armed Forces. The sentence in that case has been cited in discussions about the handling of information, the treatment of online activities, and the broader legal framework governing individuals who comment on military issues. The consent of courts to impose lengthy penalties in cases of alleged falsification or manipulation of information about the armed forces has been a point of interest for legal observers monitoring Russia’s information and security policies. The outcomes of these proceedings continue to shape public understanding of how information about the military is managed in the digital era and the boundaries that govern public discourse in the country. [Source: Telegram channel Metropolitan Department]