April 08, 2026

Convicted for Crypto


Convicted for Crypto
Jail cell. The Russian Life File.

On April 3, a Bryansk resident was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison for "financing terrorism." Allegedly he transferred cryptocurrency to Artpodgotovka, a left-wing nationalist organization. The political entity was banned in Russia in 2017.

Former Saratov Duma legislator and blogger Vyacheslav Maltsev founded Artpodgotovka and its YouTube channel. The political activist designated November 5, 2017, as the "Day of Peaceful Revolution." Maltsev fled Russia before the day of action, but members of his organization protested across Russian cities and were arrested. In 2021, the FSB declared Artpodgotovka a "terrorist organization."

According to court documents, from September to December 2023, Vitaly Razlugo made 56 cryptocurrency transfers to Artpodgotovka. The total amount of money sent was R47,000 ($585). In his court deposition, the 42-year-old said he transferred the funds to "help migrants experiencing difficulties moving from Russia to the United States." Razlugo said he did not know that Artpodgotovka was banned in Russia.

On February 6, Razlugo's story became known after the court issued a press statement stating that he had been sent to a pre-trial detention center. The day prior, the defendant's name was added to Rosfinmonitoring's list of "terrorists and extremists."

Razlugo was found guilty of "financing terrorism." He will spend three years in prison and the remainder of his nine-year sentence in a maximum-security penal colony. He will also have to pay R300,000 ($3,734) in fines.

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