Massive opposition rallies organized in Moscow on May 6 led to clashes with police, during which about 400 demonstrators were detained. Later, criminal cases were initiated under the articles "Calls for mass riots" and "Use of violence against a government official."
Those who are found guilty of the events on Bolotnaya Square by the court face long prison terms. On June 12, searches were conducted at the apartments of opposition leaders Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin, Sergei Udaltsov, Boris Nemtsov and Ksenia Sobchak. A large sum of money was found in the apartment of TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak, who did not personally participate in the rally. According to the investigation, 1.5 million euros, which were in different currencies, were spread out in many envelopes. The investigation suspected that this money could go to finance opposition rallies and organize riots at them. In turn, Ksenia Sobchak accused the investigators of illegal seizure and withholding of funds.
Since the investigation for a long time did not respond to calls to return the money, Sobchak filed a complaint with the Basmanny Court of Moscow with a demand to oblige the investigation to return the cash seized during the search. The court dismissed this complaint. After that, the presenter's lawyers filed a cassation appeal with the Moscow City Court. The lawyer Sobchak Henry Reznik accused the judicial authorities of delaying the consideration of the complaint about the illegal actions of the investigators, that is, the seizure and further withholding of funds, in violation of the procedure.
The judicial red tape in this matter is beneficial to the investigation, but it also insured itself on the other hand, initiating a tax audit of Ksenia Sobchak's income. Now, until it is over, the Investigative Committee has every reason to keep the banknotes confiscated during the search.
And the TV presenter, who is guaranteed by the legislation of Russia the right to keep money in any amount and in any convenient way, will apparently have to prove that all these funds were acquired legally. You will also need to attach to the case documents certifying the fact of payment of taxes on these incomes.
