The criminal case against blogger Valeria Chekalina (Lerchek)
The criminal case against blogger Valeria Chekalina (Lerchek), which was suspended pending her recovery from stage four stomach cancer, has been transferred to another judge for consideration.
Consensus
- The criminal case of Valeria Chekalina (Lerchek) was transferred to a new judge
- The case was previously suspended by Judge Ekaterina Kuzmina until Chekalina's recovery from stage four stomach cancer
- The case is now being handled by Judge Jamal Kurbangulov
- Chekalina gave birth to her fourth child in February 2026, shortly after which she was diagnosed with cancer
- The prosecution has not yet submitted a request for a repeat forensic medical examination to the court
Points of divergence
- The defense of Chekalina refused to comment and stated that they had not been notified of the case transfer, although lawyers are required to be notified of such procedural actions — fontanka
- Chekalina attended a wedding on June 14 and appeared to be in good health, leading some to question her illness — vm
- An oncologist named Evgeny Cheremushkin was consulted about the possibility of successful treatment of Chekalina's cancer and its impact on her newborn child — vm
Coverage (2 sources)
- Case of Lerchek transferred to another judge — a man — Фонтанка
- Case of blogger Lerchek transferred to another judge — Вечерняя Москва