Moscow mathematician Semyon Krasotkin charged with treason over two thousand rubles’ worth of Telegram “Stars” — Vot Tak

Moscow mathematician Semyon Krasotkin was charged with treason over two thousand rubles’ worth of Telegram “Stars” — Vot Tak

Semyon Krasotkin, a 27-year-old Moscow mathematician and journalist, was arrested on treason charges, the outlet Vot Tak reports.

According to a Vot Tak source, Krasotkin was detained at Domodedovo Airport in mid-August 2026 after a trip to Kyrgyzstan. Border guards searched Krasotkin’s phone and found “Stars” — paid reactions that serve as the messenger’s virtual currency — which he had left on posts in opposition and Ukrainian Telegram channels.

The mathematician was subjected to several “carousel arrests” under reports charging him with “minor hooliganism.” Before that, Vot Tak’s sources said, he had been threatened with a treason case, torture, and violence.

Krasotkin was supposed to be released on September 17, but he was once again kept in custody. He was taken to the Moscow branch of the FSB, where a treason case was opened against him, Vot Tak’s sources said. On September 19, a court remanded Krasotkin in custody for two months.

A Vot Tak source claims that in Krasotkin’s case, investigators listed “Star” reactions totaling 2,200 rubles. Another source says Krasotkin sent “Stars” to a Ukrainian Telegram meme channel that was apparently raising money for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

@meduzalive