A transfer of 740 USDT led to an IT director from Russia being charged with financing terrorism — a precedent for the crypto industry
Law enforcement authorities have filed a final indictment against DiHouse IT director Yuri Belenky in a case involving aiding terrorist activities. As revealed during the investigation, the top manager transferred USDT cryptocurrency to the wallet of journalist Arkady Babchenko. Both individuals have already been added to the registry of terrorists and extremists, and Belenky categorically denies any involvement in the alleged actions.
Details of the Criminal Case and the Prosecution's Position
The investigation accuses Yuri Belenky of making at least seven transactions from his email address between January 2023 and March 2024. The total amount of transfers exceeded 740 USDT, equivalent to over 62,000 rubles at the current exchange rate. According to the prosecution, these funds were intended to finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a terrorist organization banned in Russia.
Belenky's lawyers describe this case as unique for the Moscow region. According to them, this is the first time in the Moscow region that a criminal case regarding the sponsorship of terrorism is being considered, where virtual assets have become key evidence. The defense insists that their client had no intention of financing any extremist structures and that the transfers were purely personal in nature.
Timeline and Status of the Proceedings
The criminal case was opened on October 10, 2025, against a 40-year-old Moscow resident who was taken into custody last autumn. The materials collected by the investigation comprise two volumes. Notably, the case includes exclusively positive references from the defendant's workplace, indicating his impeccable reputation prior to the incident.
A hearing on the defense's appeal recently took place at the Moscow City Court. The lawyers requested that the IT director be placed under house arrest, accusing the opposing side of unjustified delays. However, the court upheld the decision to extend his detention until July 10. Defense representatives officially confirmed the conclusion of the preliminary investigation but flatly refused to comment on other nuances of the case.
Analyst's Comment: This case is a warning signal for the entire crypto industry. Transferring a sum of just over 60,000 rubles in stablecoins becomes grounds for accusations of financing terrorism. This underscores how important it is for market participants to thoroughly verify counterparties and document every transaction. Amid tightening regulations, even minor transfers can lead to serious legal consequences.