Tomsk radio host Aleksandr Lunev has been fined 570,000 roubles (approximately US$6,300) for donating to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).

The Kirovsky District Court in Tomsk has fined radio host Aleksandr Lunev 570,000 roubles (approximately US$6,300) under charges of financing an “extremist” organisation (Article 282.3, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code). He was released from custody in the courtroom. This was reported by Radio Svoboda, citing a source at vtomske.ru. Initially, the court imposed a fine of 600,000 roubles, but reduced the amount to reflect the three months Lunev had spent in pre-trial detention. In addition, the journalist was ordered to forfeit seven thousand roubles.

According to investigators, from 19 August 2021 to 19 February 2022, Lunev made seven transfers of one thousand roubles each to the Anti-Corruption Foundation. In court, he stated that he had set up regular automatic payments in response to the organisation’s call for help, but “did not look into its status.” After that, he said, he didn’t take any further action. Lunev pleaded guilty.

• The journalist was detained on 3 August, when he arrived in Russia from the Czech Republic, where he has been living since 2022. The next day, he was sent to pre-trial detention.
• Lunev worked for many years as a presenter on Radio Sibir and was involved in IT. In Tomsk, a major city in Siberia, he is also known as the owner of a 19th century water tower: in 2012, he bought the tower from the city, restored it, and converted it into a residence.
• The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) was declared an “extremist” organisation in 2021. The US-registered legal entity of the foundation is considered a “terrorist” organisation by the authorities.