The lawyer announced the release of Lercek from a fine of а763 million

Blogger Valeria Chekalina, known as Lerchek, after pardoning Russian President Vladimir Putin, should not pay a fine of 763 million rubles. This interpretation of the decree of the head of state gave lawyer Lerchek Konstantin Tretyakov in a conversation with RBC.

“Judging by the fact that here in the text [the presidential decree] is not specified and indicated in principle simply “to remove everything”, means to remove everything: the fine and Internet bans”, – said the lawyer.

Tretyakov also explained that the pardon removes from Chekalin restrictions on leaving Russia. Thanks to this, the blogger will be able to go to China, where he plans to undergo treatment in a local clinic.

Valery Chekalina was convicted in the case of illegal withdrawal of funds abroad. According to the investigation, from September 2021 to February 2022, she, together with her ex-husband Artem Chekalin and business partner Roman Vishnyak, transferred to the company’s accounts in the UAE more than 251.5 million rubles received from the sale of the Ideal Body fitness marathon. When processing translations, as established by law enforcement agencies, used documents with false information about their purpose. The blogger did not admit guilt.

In March 2026, consideration of the case of Valeria Chekalina was suspended due to her cancer. At the time of treatment, the blogger changed the measure of restraint: instead of house arrest, she was assigned a ban on certain actions. After the resumption of the trial in July, the Gagarinsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Chekalin to five years of probation and a fine of 763 million rubles.

In late October, Chekalina reported that she again began to grow metastases, including in the lungs. Doctors recommended that she be treated in China with CAR-T therapy. However, to leave Russia, she needed court permission.

On November 12, Lercek asked Putin for a pardon. On November 14, the Russian president signed a decree pardoning Chekalina.