119435, Russia, Moscow, Bolshoy Savinskiy Ln, 11
Criminal law
Belskiy and Partners has one of the leading criminal defense teams in Russia.
In legal practice, criminal casework is especially important. After all, an individual’s fate is on the line. We know how to make a choice and take responsibility for it, and we continue to fight for the rights of those who place their trust in us, no matter what the circumstances. We get results regardless of the scale of the case, the nature of the charges, the public attention it attracts, and the identity and status of the client.
Our Criminal Law Practice team is made up of experienced lawyers who are recognized as leaders in the profession in ratings and legal market studies such as Forbes, Chambers, Best Lawyers, The Legal 500, Pravo-300, and Kommersant. We are trusted: most new clients come to us through recommendations.
In legal practice, criminal casework is especially important. After all, an individual’s fate is on the line. We know how to make a choice and take responsibility for it, and we continue to fight for the rights of those who place their trust in us, no matter what the circumstances. We get results regardless of the scale of the case, the nature of the charges, the public attention it attracts, and the identity and status of the client.
Our Criminal Law Practice team is made up of experienced lawyers who are recognized as leaders in the profession in ratings and legal market studies such as Forbes, Chambers, Best Lawyers, The Legal 500, Pravo-300, and Kommersant. We are trusted: most new clients come to us through recommendations.
Our lawyers have worked on exceptionally complex cases of great public interest, which have played a significant role in the development of the Russian law enforcement and judicial system.
Our team includes former officers of the Russian Federation’s Investigative Committee and Ministry of Internal Affairs, prosecutors, former military lawyers, as well as practicing career advocates of brilliant academic caliber. Our lawyers have successful track record in cases handled by the investigative units of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service, transport investigative units, and military investigative units at all levels. We defend our clients' interests at every stage of the judicial process, including in the Supreme and Constitutional Courts of the Russian Federation.
Our criminal law projects have spanned the Moscow region, the South of Russia, the North Caucasus, the North-West, the Volga region, the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East.
Our team includes former officers of the Russian Federation’s Investigative Committee and Ministry of Internal Affairs, prosecutors, former military lawyers, as well as practicing career advocates of brilliant academic caliber. Our lawyers have successful track record in cases handled by the investigative units of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service, transport investigative units, and military investigative units at all levels. We defend our clients' interests at every stage of the judicial process, including in the Supreme and Constitutional Courts of the Russian Federation.
Our criminal law projects have spanned the Moscow region, the South of Russia, the North Caucasus, the North-West, the Volga region, the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East.
Key Competencies
The effectiveness of the legal support in criminal cases often depends on when the one contacts a lawyer. The initial stages of proceedings are when a lawyer can offer the most benefit to the client. That is why, in most cases, we prefer to start defending clients at the very initial stages of a criminal case.
When, after perusal of the documents submitted to us, we see an opportunity to build a convincing legal position, then we also appeal court decisions in cases where the arguments presented by the client and their defense counsel were not upheld in the lower courts.
Our attorneys defend our clients' interests in a wide range of criminal cases, specializing particularly in cases involving:
When, after perusal of the documents submitted to us, we see an opportunity to build a convincing legal position, then we also appeal court decisions in cases where the arguments presented by the client and their defense counsel were not upheld in the lower courts.
Our attorneys defend our clients' interests in a wide range of criminal cases, specializing particularly in cases involving:
- Fraud
- Allegations of bribery and corruption
- Allegations in public procurement and the military-industrial complex
- Crimes in the credit and financial (banking) sector
- Accusations against officials of organizations (unlawful appropriation, embezzlement, abuse of authority)
- Criminal cases involving the receipt and expenditure of subsidies
- Antitrust and competition
- Combating money laundering
- Crimes against industrial safety and the environment
- Currency, customs and tax crimes
- Cybercrime
We represent crime victims at every stage of criminal proceedings: we collect the evidence base, ensure that a criminal case is initiated, defend our client’s interests during the investigation, and represent them in court.
In cases with an international aspect, we work with a network of trusted foreign partners to seek the extradition of the accused to the Russian Federation and facilitate the tracing and recovery of their assets.
We are also involved in negotiating reparations for crime and reconciliation.
In cases with an international aspect, we work with a network of trusted foreign partners to seek the extradition of the accused to the Russian Federation and facilitate the tracing and recovery of their assets.
We are also involved in negotiating reparations for crime and reconciliation.
We help businesses handle the pressures of scrutiny from law enforcement agencies and regulators. With our help, top managers can focus on their own work and continue with business as usual.
Our lawyers are always ready to quickly provide a detailed risk analysis and offer clear action plans for different situations: requests to provide documents and information to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Investigative Committee, customs and tax authorities, or prosecutor’s office; inspections; screenings; industrial accidents, administrative investigations, and summons for questioning or to give explanations.
If an appeal to higher authorities against illegal actions or legal protection is required on behalf of our client, our lawyers develop a legal position and represent the interests of the business, its beneficiaries, and its managers.
We work closely with key public bodies whose powers include protecting businesses from undue pressure.
Moreover, our lawyers have developed training seminar programs for business. We offer a clear and accessible presentation of the basic principles of the criminal process, the key rights and obligations, and the structure of risks and ways of minimizing them. Programs may vary depending on the nature of the client’s industry and its key risks, and are tailored to the audience.
Our lawyers are always ready to quickly provide a detailed risk analysis and offer clear action plans for different situations: requests to provide documents and information to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Investigative Committee, customs and tax authorities, or prosecutor’s office; inspections; screenings; industrial accidents, administrative investigations, and summons for questioning or to give explanations.
If an appeal to higher authorities against illegal actions or legal protection is required on behalf of our client, our lawyers develop a legal position and represent the interests of the business, its beneficiaries, and its managers.
We work closely with key public bodies whose powers include protecting businesses from undue pressure.
Moreover, our lawyers have developed training seminar programs for business. We offer a clear and accessible presentation of the basic principles of the criminal process, the key rights and obligations, and the structure of risks and ways of minimizing them. Programs may vary depending on the nature of the client’s industry and its key risks, and are tailored to the audience.
Being informed means that you have the initiative, which is the key to success, no matter what challenges a business may face. Preparing for a major deal or a corporate dispute, developing a strategy of defense or attack – all of these require an accurate understanding of the legal risk map so that a negotiating position can be formed and the right management decisions can be made.
We conduct legal investigations in situations including:
The results of our legal investigations are strictly confidential, and all investigation materials are protected by attorney–client privilege.
We conduct legal investigations in situations including:
- Verification of information on abuses, theft, and other illegal actions committed by senior management.
- Preparation of a legal position for appeals to law enforcement agencies and the courts.
- Establishment of the real circumstances of an incident at the same time as the formal investigation.
- Development of a legal position during a corporate or shareholder dispute.
- Collection and analysis of information for management decision-making.
- Checking of legal risks when preparing for M&A deals.
The results of our legal investigations are strictly confidential, and all investigation materials are protected by attorney–client privilege.
Computer information crimes are one of the biggest threats currently faced by businesses and governments. According to experts, the total damage from cyberattacks exceeded USD 6 trillion in 2021 and will rise to at least USD 10 trillion in 2025. A rapid response to incidents minimizes the resulting damage, and competent legal support helps to consolidate the main evidence and take measures to protect interests in the legal field.
Our lawyers' experience includes:
Our lawyers' experience includes:
- Defending individuals accused of committing cybercrimes ("hackers"), including under Articles 187, 272, and 273 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
- Representing the interests of organizations affected by cyberattacks in criminal proceedings.
- Providing legal support for internal investigations related to information technology incidents.
- Providing legal support for investigations into cryptocurrency theft.
Our team has extensive experience in cases involving extradition from foreign countries to the Russian Federation and vice versa.
We are ready to take over all aspects of the case, including:
We also have unique experience of representing victims in extradition proceedings.
We are ready to take over all aspects of the case, including:
- selection of the best law firm in the country from which extradition to Russia is requested;
- analysis of the criminal charge on which the extradition request is based on and formation of a defense line;
- support for foreign lawyers on issues of Russian substantive and procedural law, providing legal opinions on any issues raised;
- assessment of the risks involved with extradition and the seizure of assets, and development of a further strategy.
We also have unique experience of representing victims in extradition proceedings.
Drawing on our lawyers' practical experience, we have developed training programs in which we offer a clear and accessible presentation of the basic principles of the criminal process, the key rights and obligations, and the structure of risks and ways of minimizing them.
Our most popular training programs are:
The fundamentals of relations with law enforcement agencies.
Our most popular seminar is aimed at company employees and senior management. Experience shows that most people are completely unprepared for interactions with law enforcement. Their ideas about rights, obligations, and practice come from movies, stories they have been told, and urban myths. These are often far removed from reality. Yet anyone can become involved in criminal proceedings, without necessarily having committed a crime. Knowing the basic rules of behavior will help you to avoid most of the common pitfalls.
The criminal law risks of working with state subsidies.
Every year there are more and more criminal cases related to the receipt of state subsidies. However, most of these cases are not due to an intent on the part of the recipient to steal the subsidy, but due to gross errors in the documentation. The risks of criminal prosecution can be minimized by knowing the basic principles of document management and interaction within the enterprise, with contractors, and with government agencies.
Cyberthreats in the modern world.
The purpose of this seminar is to help companies understand cyberthreats and assess the degree of risk they are exposed to. The seminar program was developed in collaboration with cybersecurity experts and contains practical recommendations for data protection.
Training seminar programs may vary depending on the nature of the client’s industry and its key risks, and are tailored to the audience.
Our most popular training programs are:
The fundamentals of relations with law enforcement agencies.
Our most popular seminar is aimed at company employees and senior management. Experience shows that most people are completely unprepared for interactions with law enforcement. Their ideas about rights, obligations, and practice come from movies, stories they have been told, and urban myths. These are often far removed from reality. Yet anyone can become involved in criminal proceedings, without necessarily having committed a crime. Knowing the basic rules of behavior will help you to avoid most of the common pitfalls.
The criminal law risks of working with state subsidies.
Every year there are more and more criminal cases related to the receipt of state subsidies. However, most of these cases are not due to an intent on the part of the recipient to steal the subsidy, but due to gross errors in the documentation. The risks of criminal prosecution can be minimized by knowing the basic principles of document management and interaction within the enterprise, with contractors, and with government agencies.
Cyberthreats in the modern world.
The purpose of this seminar is to help companies understand cyberthreats and assess the degree of risk they are exposed to. The seminar program was developed in collaboration with cybersecurity experts and contains practical recommendations for data protection.
Training seminar programs may vary depending on the nature of the client’s industry and its key risks, and are tailored to the audience.
Industry Experience
- Banking
- Public Administration
- Industrial Construction and Development
- Fuel and Energy Sector
- Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metallurgy
- Telecommunications and Microelectronics
- Agriculture
- Medicine
- IT and System Integrators
- FMCG
Selected Cases
Criminal defense
- Defending the deputy head of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation on charges of embezzlement, corruption, and malfeasance. The court’s verdict terminated the criminal prosecution for most of the offenses, and no real penalty was imposed for the others as the statute of limitations had expired.
- Defending a former Federation Council senator accused of VAT refund fraud. The criminal prosecution was terminated by the court as the statute of limitations had expired.
- Defending two senior managers from a major company in the fuel and energy sector who were accused of committing an economic crime on the territory of a foreign state. Criminal proceedings were terminated due to the absence of corpus delicti in the accused’s actions.
- Defending the CEO of the Russian office of a foreign corporation who was accused of organizing customs evasion. The criminal prosecution was terminated at the preliminary investigation stage due to the absence of corpus delicti.
- Defending the head of the Russian office of a major international holding company on charges of tax evasion in an amount exceeding RUB 2 billion. The criminal prosecution was terminated at the preliminary investigation stage.
- Defending the head of a federal state unitary enterprise who was accused of two counts of large-scale fraud. The client was acquitted by a court verdict on one count, and received a suspended sentence on the second.
- Defending a foreign citizen accused of smuggling drugs into the Russian Federation. The sentence imposed led to our client being released in the courtroom.
- Defending the chairman of the board and owner of the beneficiaries of a major commercial bank against numerous embezzlement charges, including legal assistance related to an extradition request by the Russian authorities to obtain an accused person from a foreign state. Extradition to the Russian Federation was denied due to numerous violations of the rights of the accused committed by the Russian investigative authorities.
- Defending an entrepreneur accused of defamation. The criminal prosecution was terminated at the preliminary investigation stage.
- Defending an entrepreneur accused of illegal deforestation and violation of protected natural conservation areas. The criminal prosecution was terminated at the representative investigation stage due to the client having no involvement in these offenses.
- Defending a high-ranking government official on charges of accepting a large bribe. The charges were downgraded to a less serious category, and the court imposed a suspended sentence.
- Defending the owner of a large construction company on charges of embezzlement of loans worth more than RUB 16 billion.
- Defending the owner of a commercial bank accused of large-scale embezzlement and fraud, as well as money laundering.
- Defending the owner of a large construction company accused of embezzling more than RUB 3 billion in the performance of a State Defense Order.
- Defending the owner and head of a lending institution who were accused of fraud.
- Defending the deputy head of a construction company accused of violating safety rules resulting in the deaths of more than two people.
- Defending individuals accused of committing computer information crimes.
- Advising a major industrial company regarding fatalities at a hazardous production facility. The request to open criminal proceedings was denied based on the pre-investigation review.
- Advising a major business aviation operator during a criminal case opened with regards to large-scale evasion of customs payments.
Victim representation
- Representing the shareholders of a large holding company in the fuel and energy sector as victims in a criminal case of embezzlement of more than RUB 40 billion, and tracing and returning stolen assets.
- Representing a shareholder of a medical services holding company in a corporate dispute with other shareholders and senior management.
- Representing a group of shareholders of a gold mining company in a corporate dispute.
- Representing a major international company in a case involving the theft of confidential information.
- Representing the Russian office of an international FMCG company in a case involving the theft of confidential information using malware.
- Representing an international oil and gas company in a case of bank fraud in an amount exceeding RUB 600 million.
- Representing an international company in a case involving the embezzlement of more than RUB 2 billion. Representing the victim in a case involving the extradition of the accused from the EU (the extradition request was granted by the court and the accused was brought to the Russian Federation).
- Representing the interests of a patient in a case of medical malpractice.
119435, Russia, Moscow, Bolshoy Savinskiy Ln, 11
OGRN: 1227700017071
Moscow Bar Association registry no. 77/2-458
Managing Partner – Kirill Belskiy
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