On November 12, 2026, the Petroградsky District Court of St. Petersburg sentenced 41-year-old German citizen Igor Leonovich to a fine of 350,000 rubles under Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — financing extremist activities. This was reported by a Mediazona correspondent who attended the hearing. The basis for the punishment was three donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), recognized as an extremist organization in Russia and liquidated by a court decision. Each of the three payments amounted to 300 rubles.
The Prosecution Demanded Five Years, the Court Imposed a Fine
The state prosecution insisted on a significantly harsher punishment during the trial — five years of imprisonment. The court, however, limited itself to a fine. According to the investigation, on August 6, 2021, Leonovich set up a subscription for regular donations to FBK, after which he transferred 300 rubles to the organization three times. Thus, the total amount of "financing" for which the man faced a prison colony was 900 rubles. At the hearing, two employees of the German Embassy who showed up at the court were not allowed to make an audio recording.
Detention in a Residential Complex
Leonovich was taken into custody on August 17, 2026. The police published a video recording of the operation: special forces operatives in protective gear detained him in the entrance hall of the Skandi Klubb residential complex on Aptekarsky Prospect. The detainee's face was not hidden in the video. According to the court, before the security forces entered the apartment, Leonovich asked them not to frighten his relatives. The man has four children.
Who is Igor Leonovich
Igor Leonovich holds German citizenship, was born in Ashgabat, and lives in Russia on a residence permit. In St. Petersburg, he graduated from the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, after which he worked as a coach and became one of the founders of two Trifit fitness clubs. The Sobaka magazine previously presented Leonovich as a former member of the Olympic cycling team. He has also participated in Ironman triathlon competitions.
Character References and Family Stance
The defendant's wife, Evgenia Mokhovikova, described him as a caring and responsible parent who tries to give his children maximum free time. According to her, both spouses are engaged in charity work. Positive character references for Leonovich were also provided by his acquaintance Ilya Voskresensky, who had previously used his services. He called the man a "maximally positive" and responsive person who "always helps everyone," citing an example when Leonovich found a drunk man on the street in winter and dragged him home.
Context: The Practice of Donation Cases
Leonovich's case continues a series of trials against citizens accused of financing extremist organizations through small money transfers. Following the recognition of FBK and a number of related structures as extremist and their liquidation in Russia, any donations to their address formally fall under Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code. The range of sanctions in similar cases remains significant: from fines to real prison terms, which makes the predictability of the outcome of each specific trial extremely low.
