Russian businessman jailed for embezzling more than $240 million announces plans to wage war in Ukraine – Meduza

Belarusian-born Russian businessman and former owner of the Yugra Bank, Alexey Khotin, was convicted in March 2024 to nine years in prison for embezzling 23.6 billion rubles (over 240 million dollars), announced plans to “join the ”, Kommersant reports.

During an appeal hearing, Khotin pointed out that current Russian law allows him to wage war and asked the Moscow court to help speed up the process. He also requested that, if commitment was denied, the court would overturn his conviction and remand the case or reduce his sentence.

Investigators allege that Khotin and other defendants embezzled 23.6 billion rubles from Yugra Bank between 2014 and 2017 by knowingly making uncollectible loans to three companies under his control. Khotin maintains his innocence.