Overview

• The prosecutor asked the Meshchansky District Court to sentence Portnyagin to five years in a general‑regime colony and impose a 900,000‑ruble fine during closing arguments.
• The prosecution requested five and a half years and a 3‑million‑ruble fine for his spouse, Ekaterina Portnyagina, and two years in prison for business partner Alexey Nikolaev.
• Investigators allege Portnyagin and Nikolaev laundered nearly 64 million rubles, while Portnyagina is accused of laundering over 30 million rubles and giving a 300,000‑ruble bribe to prevent demolition of the Siberia bath complex on Obraztsova Street.
• Portnyagin and Nikolaev have fully admitted guilt in court, and Portnyagina has acknowledged part of the accusations, with all three still under restrictions as the court considers sentencing.
• Defense counsel urged acquittal, calling the sought terms excessive and asserting the funds were spent on personal needs and that taxes and penalties were settled before the case began.