Russian state prosecutors are looking for a six-year prison sentence for Instagram blogger Yelena Blinovskaya on tax fraud charges, the banished news outlet Mediazona reported Thursday.Blinovskaya was apprehended at the Russian-Belarusian border in April 2023 on suspicion of underreporting 918 million rubles ($10.1 million) in profits from online services between 2019 and 2021.
She was likewise accused of laundering 43 million rubles and devoting payment fraud.Blinovskaya, who had 5.3 million Instagram fans at the time of her arrest, marketed herself as a life coach offering self-help courses and personal development events that got popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.Critics have actually accused her of defrauding her followers.Prosecutors asked Moscows Savyolovsky District Court to fine Blinovskaya 1.5 million rubles ($16,500), prohibit her from doing business for 5 years and take her possessions, that include 50 realty properties and luxury vehicles.Blinovskayapleaded guilty to tax evasion, cash laundering and payment scams.
She has actually paid back 320 million rubles ($3.5 million) of her financial obligation, but district attorneys are looking for to confiscate an additional 857.6 million rubles ($9.4 million) from her.Russias Federal Tax Service estimates her total financial obligation, including fines and charges, at 1.4 billion rubles ($15.4 million).
Blinovskayas hubby, Alexei, offered to eliminate in Ukraine in April 2024 to prevent criminal prosecution.