The case of former FSB investigators Alexey Kolbov and Sergey Belousov, accused of extorting 65 million rubles in bitcoins, has progressed to the final stage and will be heard on its merits by the 2nd Western District Military Court, according to «Ъ».
The judge has already held preliminary hearings. The hearings are expected to be held in public. The defence has not commented on the matter.
Colbov and Belousov were detained in 2019. They were accused of extorting 65 million rubles in BTC from Alexander Galumov, the son of former Izvestia publisher Erast Galumov, who was arrested in a case involving fraud with investment contracts.
According to investigators, the accused promised to ease the sentence for Alexander Galumov’s father and refrain from prosecuting his son.
Alexey Kolbov pleaded guilty to fraud, but denied taking a bribe, and any involvement in the deal with Sergey Belousov. Belousov likewise did not admit to taking a bribe.
Belousov and Kolbov face Part 6 of Article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code. They could face up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
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