The folklorist from Khanty-Mansiysk, a city in Western Siberia, has had their prison sentence in the FBK donations case replaced with a suspended sentence.

The Seventh Court of Cassation for General Jurisdiction has reduced the sentence of Valery Ledkov, a folklorist and bard, who was convicted of financing extremist activity (Part 1, Article 282.3 of the Russian Criminal Code). His lawyer, Pavel Rusnakov, told OVD-Info about the decision.

The panel of judges replaced his three-year general regime prison sentence with a three-year suspended sentence. The real term for the 60-year-old Ledkov was imposed at the appellate stage at the prosecutor’s request.

Initially, the trial court sentenced the folklorist to a fine of 120,000 rubles (approximately US$1,300).

His attorney clarified that for now, Ledkov remains in Penal Colony No. 29 in Perm. He should be released after the cassation decision is received by the colony.

The case against the folklorist was opened over seven donations of 300 rubles each (around US$3) to the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

12 March Valery Ledkov was released from the colony on 5 March. His lawyer, Pavel Rusnakov, informed OVD-Info.

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OVD-Info

26 February 2025