Overview
- Razin has been charged in absentia with fraud on an especially large scale under Part 4 of Article 159 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years.
- The accusation, relayed by lawyer Asel Mukhtarova-Kazarnovskaya, centers on alleged misappropriation of license payments due for performances of songs authored by Sergey Kuznetsov.
- Investigators allege Razin used a counterfeit agreement with Kuznetsov over a prolonged period to claim rights and receive royalties for the works.
- Kuznetsov’s widow has been formally recognized as the victim in the case, according to the lawyer’s account.
- A Moscow legal expert said the case could trigger a legal “domino effect” that invalidates licenses issued by Razin, potentially affecting a wide set of counterparties.