A student from Novosibirsk, a major city in Siberia, was fined 300,000 rubles (US$3,300) for seven donations of 300 rubles (US$3.30) each made to the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

The Sovetsky District Court of Novosibirsk, a major city in Siberia, sentenced 22-year-old local student Petr Uskov to a fine of 300,000 rubles (US$3,300) for financing an extremist organisation (under part 1 of article 282.3 of the Criminal Code). This was reported by the court’s press service and Mediazona.

The prosecution had requested a fine of 400,000 rubles (US$4,400).

According to the investigation, on 5 August 2021 Uskov signed up to make donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) after watching a video titled: “We are carrying on and we need your help.” In total, the young man made seven donations of 300 rubles (US$3.30) each. Altogether, he transferred 2,100 rubles (US$23). The merchant account cited as evidence is, according to law enforcement, believed to belong to FBK.

Uskov pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. As his lawyer told the court, the young man made donations to the FBK because of “youthful idealism” and a wish “to help the country” in the fight against “corruption and embezzlement.” Uskov added that the foundation “misled him,” but the student has now learnt a lesson and changed his ways.

The convicted student also said that he is a member of a volunteer organisation that helps Russian military personnel involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The judge asked Uskov whether his family “honours the memory of participants in the Great Patriotic War.” The young man replied that they do.

The case reached the court on 31 January 2025. It was heard over six sessions, with the first held on 28 February.