Russia Sells Seized Bitcoins from Bribery Conviction

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) —  The Russian government has started selling part of 1,032 seized bitcoins confiscated from Marat Tambiev, a former investigator convicted of bribery. In 2023, the Nikulinsky District Court in Moscow ordered the seizure of these crypto assets. The bitcoins were traced back to bribes Tambiev received from the Infraud Organization, a hacking group, in April 2022.

Tambiev, now serving a 16-year prison sentence, allegedly accepted the crypto assets in exchange for sparing the group’s funds from confiscation. Prosecutors described the case as one of Russia’s largest bribery scandals. In addition to cryptocurrency, authorities also seized several real estate properties in Moscow connected to Tambiev during separate legal proceedings.

Legal Challenges in Liquidating Seized Bitcoins

Russian bailiffs encountered complications when trying to liquidate all of Tambiev’s seized bitcoins. Reports state that Tambiev divided the cryptocurrency into smaller wallets, making it necessary for authorities to secure multiple court rulings to sell all the BTC.

So far, prosecutors have gained permission to liquidate $10 million worth of bitcoins. However, efforts are ongoing to sell the remaining assets. Russian authorities are working through legal processes to unlock additional crypto holdings tied to Tambiev’s case.

Co-Accused Face Sentences or Remain at Large

Tambiev was not the only person implicated in the bribery case. His associate, Kristina Lyakhovenko, was also sentenced to nine years in a general regime penal colony for her role in the scheme. Another co-accused, Dmitry Gubin, avoided arrest and is now listed as one of law enforcement’s most wanted individuals.

Authorities continue to pursue Gubin while investigating his involvement in the bribery case. The extent of his participation remains under scrutiny, with law enforcement intensifying efforts to locate him.

Russia – Moscow Court Seizes Crypto and Real Estate

Beyond the cryptocurrency, Moscow authorities also confiscated real estate properties owned by Tambiev. These properties, taken in separate legal actions, highlight the scale of wealth accumulated through his illegal activities.

Above all, prosecutors have focused on ensuring the liquidation of Tambiev’s assets, despite the challenges posed by his attempts to obscure the seized bitcoins. Their actions reflect efforts to recover funds and address financial crimes tied to corruption.

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