Russian journalist donates $16 in crypto - could face 8 years

An independent journalist who donated $16 via crypto to an organisation banned by Russian authorities, was arrested and could face up to 8 years imprisonment.

Andrei Zayakin was arrested on Sunday and charged with donating a small amount of money to a foundation for fighting corruption started by imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Given that Navalny’s organisations were outlawed and declared extremist by Russian authorities, the donation of 1,000 rubles ($16) is against the law.

Zayakin writes for the Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta among other publications. He has a degree in maths and physics and co-founded a project called Dissernet which was set up to expose the corruption and plagiarism present in Russian science.

According to AP News, Zayakin has been held in a police cell and has been prohibited from using a phone or the internet. If he is found guilty of the charge he can face a maximum of 8 years in prison.

Russian authorities are targeting anyone who is critical of the Putin regime. Alexei Navalny, the opposition leader who has been imprisoned for nine years so far, could face a further 15 years on charges of “creating an extremist community”. Navalny stated:

"Lawlessness and arbitrariness are sometimes the essence of a political system. Yet it is even more dire when the lawlessness and arbitrariness are dressed up in prosecutor’s uniform and judge’s mantle. It is the duty of every human being to not subjugate themselves to these people,"

On Monday, Russian authorities detained prominent critic Leonid Gozman for comparing the Soviet Union with Nazi Germany. Gozman could face a fine.

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