A resident of Smolensk will be prosecuted over money transfers to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).

The Ministry of Internal Affairs for Smolensk Region announced the completion of the investigation into a local resident on charges of financing an extremist organisation (Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code). The SOVA Research Centre drew attention to this.

The police state that the accused is a 55-year-old man. SOVA notes that this is likely the local interior designer, Pavel Bobovnikov. He is probably being charged for donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).

In mid-June, Bobovnikov was added to the Rosfinmonitoring register of extremists and terrorists. Later, one of the local Telegram channels reported that Bobovnikov is being prosecuted because he set up an automatic payment to FBK and Navalny’s headquarters, and forgot to deactivate this function after the organisations were recognised as extremist.

“According to investigators, the accused financed the activities of a non-profit organisation, which at the time had been recognised as extremist and liquidated in the Russian Federation, between 23 September 2021 and 23 February 2022,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said. FBK and Navalny’s headquarters were recognised as extremist organisations in June 2021.

While the investigation was ongoing, the accused was under a travel restriction and a pledge to behave appropriately. The case has been sent to court for consideration on the merits.