A former accountant of the Seventh Studio testified against Serebrennikov

The ex-chief accountant of the Seventh Studio, Nina Maslyayeva, testified against director Kirill Serebrennikov in the case of embezzlement of budget funds. This is stated in the testimony of Maslyayeva, which was read out in the Moscow City Court, reports . the Dozhd TV channel

Maslyaeva said that Serebrennikov, together with the former general producer of the Seventh Studio, Alexei Malobrodsky, decided to steal budget money in 2014. At the same time, they spent part of the funds allocated to the studio on the implementation of the studio's projects, and appropriated part of it for themselves.

The investigator’s decision to bring the defendants in the case as defendants states that Serebrennikov, together with Malobrodsky and the former general director of the studio, Yuri Itin, created the “Seventh Studio” to “implement criminal intent” to embezzle budget funds, RBC . reports According to investigators, Maslyayeva, as an accountant, helped them cash out a subsidy from the state. The defendants in the case allegedly disposed of the cash at their own discretion.

At the end of July, Maslyayeva was charged with a new charge under part 4 of article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (fraud on an especially large scale), after which she was interrogated, Dozhd clarifies.

Earlier, Maslyaeva said that while working at the Seventh Studio, she took part in cashing out about 100 million rubles. According to her, Yuri Itin asked her to find a company for cashing out money. Most of the funds were channeled through shell companies.

In addition, Interfax reports that Maslyaeva's daughters complained about surveillance during interrogation. According to them, it was organized by Serebrennikov, Itin and Malobrodsky. Marina and Olga Maslyaeva believe that the surveillance was organized in order to find out the circle of contacts and put pressure on their mother. The issue of surveillance of the Maslyaevs, at the request of the investigator, is handled by the FSB.

Dozhd also reports that the judge included in the case a letter from artists and cultural figures who called for the release of Malobrodsky from arrest.

On Wednesday, the Moscow City Court is considering appeals from lawyers Maslyaeva, Malobrodsky, and Itin against the decision of the Basmanny Court to extend their preventive measure.

On the eve of the trial, cultural and art workers asked to release Malobrodsky from custody. The appeal was signed by actress Chulpan Khamatova, directors Alexander Sokurov, Garry Bardin and Pavel Lungin, journalist and TV presenter Vladimir Pozner and others.

Earlier, the court ruled to extend the arrest of Malobrodsky, Maslyaeva and Itin until October 19. Also, until October 19, the term of the investigation was extended.

Recall that Maslyaeva, Malobrodsky and Itin are accused of embezzling budget funds that were allocated to the Seventh Studio for productions and theater festivals. Maslyaeva and Malobrodsky have been in jail since May, Itin is under house arrest. Serebrennikov is a witness in the case. The other day it became known that his passport was confiscated .