Ex-mayor's wife asks court to spare children's only home

Lawyers for Yanina Kopaygorodskaya, wife of former Sochi mayor Alexei Kopaygorodsky, have appealed a court decision to confiscate family property worth 1.6 billion rubles (approximately $20 million at current rates). According to Kommersant, the defense disagrees with the verdict and is insisting on a review.

The key argument in the complaint is the fate of an apartment on Tsvetnoy Boulevard in Moscow. According to the lawyers, this residence is the only home for the Kopaygorodskys« four minor children.

It is noted that Yanina Kopaygorodskaya has five children, including twins, a 3-year-old daughter, a 14-year-old daughter, and a 24-year-old son (from her first marriage).

The defense indicates that during the case proceedings, which affect the children»s housing rights, the court did not involve child welfare authorities. The lawyers believe the court should have assessed how proportionate such intervention is and what the consequences for the children would be. The complaint also notes that some property was bought with credit funds Yanina Kopaygorodskaya obtained before her marriage.

Recall that on January 16, the Khostinsky District Court of Sochi granted the Prosecutor General«s Office»s claim and ruled to turn over to the state the property of ex-mayor Alexei Kopaygorodsky, his relatives, and close associates. The list included 73 real estate properties in various regions and 11 premium-class cars. The prosecutor«s office insisted the value of these assets far exceeds all the family»s official income.