The court sentenced journalist Karen Shainyan in absentia to five years in a penal colony over two donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).

The Savyolovsky District Court in Moscow has sentenced journalist and LGBT activist Karen Shainyan in absentia to five years in a penal colony for financing the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which is designated as an “extremist organisation” in Russia (part 1, article 282.3 of the Criminal Code). This was reported by Mediazona.

The prosecutor had requested a six-year sentence for Shainyan.

According to investigators, since January 2022 the journalist made two transfers to FBK, each of 1,000 roubles (about US$11). The transfers were made through a monthly subscription.

The case against Shainyan is based on the merchant account number (the account where the money was sent). Law enforcement considers this identifier, which appears in several criminal cases related to financing FBK, to belong to the organisation.

The journalist’s defence pointed out that he is accused of making transfers from a Tinkoff Bank card. However, the case materials include a statement from Promsvyazbank. According to the defence, Shainyan has never held accounts at this bank. Moreover, the statement also mentions transfers from Tinkoff Bank.

Additionally, as the journalist’s lawyer noted, a disc with supposed bank statements was submitted to the court. However, the disc number stated in court does not match the one listed in the case materials. At the hearing, the disc was never examined.

Karen Shainyan’s defender said during closing arguments that there is no other reliable evidence of money transfers in the case. In the statement from Tinkoff, recipient identifiers are not specified.