Criminal lawyer Maxim Kalinov, affiliated with the International Association of Russian-Speaking Lawyers (MARA), commented on the allegations brought by former Russian national team football player Alexei Bugaev against the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In an interview shared with socialbites.ca, the expert offered a cautious assessment, noting that it is unlikely the claimant will secure a favorable outcome for himself under the current circumstances.
Kalinov observed that there is no predefined limit to the amount a claimant might pursue, explaining that individuals can request whatever sum they believe appropriate. He stressed that a criminal case has been opened, and it would be premature to speak about the merits of a statement of claim until the ongoing proceedings are resolved and a court decision is rendered that could, if necessary, be appealed later.
Regarding the specific question of a potential award totaling 5 million rubles, Kalinov suggested that such a result is unlikely at this stage. He emphasized that no final court ruling exists yet, and the status of the criminal case must first be clarified. He also pointed out that a video in circulation, which purportedly shows the presence of drugs, had been described as fake by Bugaev, and that this dispute should be addressed through lawful, civil channels. In the lawyer’s view, the claim is unlikely to prevail.
From a procedural standpoint, Kalinov outlined two essential hurdles. First, there is a need to establish whether the video is authentic or manipulated, including any possible signs of editing. Second, it is necessary to verify the internal affairs authorities’ authority to publicize the video in question. Even if the video were found to be forged, Kalinov cautioned that this would not automatically translate into a favorable court decision for the former football player.
On November 3, authorities announced the opening of a criminal case against Bugaev for alleged drug trafficking preparation. The footballer was detained and placed under a preventive measure until December 31. Reports on November 1 indicated his detention, and a Telegram channel claimed he was found with 500 grams of mephedrone. The catalyst for the lawsuit against the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as described by Bugaev, was the distribution of a video by a high-ranking official that allegedly showed drugs in Bugaev. He maintains that the video is a fabrication.
MARA describes itself as a non-profit organization built on voluntary membership by legal entities and individuals, including lawyers, notaries, and human rights advocates across multiple countries. Its overarching purpose is to foster collaboration with international, national, and regional human rights unions and associations, along with legal professionals who operate in the Russian language abroad. The aim of such cooperation is to defend the interests of the Russian Federation, its citizens, and legal entities in judicial, state, administrative, and other proceedings in foreign states.
Earlier reports indicated that Bugaev had filed a claim against the Ministry of Internal Affairs for 5 million rubles, highlighting the tension between public statements, media representations, and legal rights in high-profile cases of this kind. The evolving situation underscores the importance of careful legal analysis and evidence verification in cases involving public figures, state institutions, and media content. The parties remain subject to ongoing legal processes, and observers will watch closely how the courts navigate issues of evidentiary integrity, authority to publish, and potential civil remedies in parallel with criminal proceedings. (MARA, 2024)