The Izmailovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Leonid Stepanov, a 48-year-old leading programmer at the Main Radio Frequency Center (GRChTs), which is subordinate to the Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, to four years of probation on charges of "financing extremism." The prosecution had requested six years in a penal colony, while the defense argued for a fine.
The case was opened in May 2026. According to investigators, after the FBK was banned in August 2021, Stepanov transferred 1,532 rubles and 43 kopecks to the organization in two transactions. He was placed under house arrest during the investigation.
According to bank statements, before the FBK ban the man had transferred a total of 2,000 rubles to the fund. In testimony read out in court, he said he had been following the activities of Alexei Navalny since 2020 and believed he was supporting his "legal political activity" with the money.
In court, Stepanov fully admitted guilt and repented. At the defense's request, his awards were attached to the case file — a letter of gratitude from Roskomnadzor "For conscientious work" and a commemorative badge "For devotion to the profession." In his final statement, he apologized to his family and colleagues and asked the court not to punish him severely.
According to Mediazona's calculations, by April 2026 at least 225 criminal cases had been opened in Russia for donations to the FBK made after the fund was banned in August 2021. The outlet notes that reports of cases or sentences for FBK transfers appear at least once a week.