Russian Blogger Alexandra Mitrushina Claims Law Does Not Apply to Her in Court Defense

Alexandra Mitrushina, a Russian blogger and online course seller, made an unusual legal argument in court on June 17, stating that Russian law does not apply to her. Facing a three-year prison sentence on tax evasion and money laundering charges, Mitrushina argued that she had fulfilled her tax obligations and paid over 600 million rubles to the Russian Federal Tax Service before her arrest. She claimed that after settling her initial tax debt of 127 million rubles (including penalties and fines) in 2023 following a previous criminal case, she was arrested upon returning to Russia from Dubai and charged with a separate crime despite her compliance.

According to prosecutors, Mitrushina used business splitting schemes when selling online courses to reduce her tax payments and purchase luxury real estate in Moscow using the money saved. The prosecution is seeking a 900,000 ruble fine and the confiscation of 115 million rubles. Mitrushina has partially admitted to money laundering but denies criminal intent. Her defense team maintains there was no deliberate wrongdoing.

The 31-year-old blogger was detained at Sochi Airport in 2025 after arriving from Dubai, where she had relocated following her first criminal case in 2023. She has remained under house arrest for 14 months. In her courtroom statement, Mitrushina argued that her prolonged detention has prevented her from working and earning income that would have benefited the Russian state through tax contributions. She characterized her situation as paradoxical: despite paying substantial taxes, she faces prosecution and has become unable to contribute further to the state budget.