IT specialist Yuri Belenky was sentenced to 13 years for making donations. Binance handed over data on the transfers to the security forces.

The 2nd Western District Military Court has sentenced 49-year-old IT specialist Yuri Belenky to 13 years in prison in a case concerning “financing terrorism” (article 205.1 part 1.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). This was reported by “First Department.”

Belenky is to spend the first three years in prison, with the remainder of the sentence to be served in a high-security penal colony. In addition, he has been fined 500,000 roubles (approximately US$5,500) and ordered to forfeit 126,000 roubles (about US$1,400).

The case relates to money transfers made to an account published by blogger Arkady Babchenko. The investigation was assisted by a report from the Binance cryptocurrency exchange, which the company provided to the Investigative Committee in response to an official request.

Since 2015, Belenky has lived in Bulgaria and held a residence permit in the European Union, but returned periodically to Russia. In September 2025, he was detained at Sheremetyevo airport and initially charged with petty hooliganism. Later, a criminal case was launched against him for facilitating terrorist activity. “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial” considers Belenky to be a political prisoner.