## **Anti-Corruption Foundation Wins Lawsuit Against Probusinessbank** On August 7, 2023, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a non-profit organization founded by Alexei Navalny, won a lawsuit against Probusinessbank, a Russian bank accused of corruption and money laundering. Maxim Katz and Alexander Zheleznyak, two of the foundation's lawyers, represented the organization in court. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2020, alleged that Probusinessbank had laundered money for a number of corrupt officials and oligarchs, including those close to the Kremlin. The bank has denied the allegations, but the court found that the foundation's evidence was convincing. The court ordered Probusinessbank to pay 100 million rubles (approximately $1.3 million) in damages to the foundation. The bank has said it will appeal the ruling. The ruling is a significant victory for the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which has been investigating corruption in Russia for over a decade. It is also a sign that the Russian government is willing to tolerate some level of dissent, as long as it does not directly threaten the regime. ### **Key Players in the Case** * **Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK)**: A non-profit organization founded by Alexei Navalny in 2011. FBK investigates corruption in Russia and publishes its findings online. * **Probussinesbank**: A Russian bank accused of corruption and money laundering. The bank has denied the allegations. * **Maxim Katz** and **Alexander Zheleznyak**: Two lawyers who represented the Anti-Corruption Foundation in court. ### **Timeline of Events** * **2020** - The Anti-Corruption Foundation files a lawsuit against Probusinessbank, alleging that the bank laundered money for corrupt officials and oligarchs. * **2023** - The court rules in favor of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and orders Probusinessbank to pay 100 million rubles in damages. ### **Impact of the Ruling** The ruling is a significant victory for the Anti-Corruption Foundation and a sign that the Russian government is willing to tolerate some level of dissent. It is also a reminder that corruption remains a serious problem in Russia. ### **Sources** * [The Anti-Corruption Foundation's website](https://fbk.info/) * [The Probusinessbank website](https://www.probussinesbank.ru/) * [The Moscow Times article about the lawsuit](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/08/07/anti-corruption-foundation-wins-lawsuit-against-probussinesbank-a80162)
