Sberbank transferred 0.01 rubles from a savings account to a special account opened for human rights activist Sofia Ivanova, recognized as a "foreign agent" in 2021, noted the publication "Govorite NeMoskva"*.
0.01 rubles is the capitalization over several years from 1,000 rubles that was in Ivanova's account. The "Bechtold" account was opened in early 2021, after her now-deceased husband Alexander Bechtold was beaten and fined at a rally in support of Navalny. Friends wanted to help pay the fine and buy a new camera to replace the one broken by law enforcement. Part of the funds went to help Bechtold, part to pay fines for other Ryazan activists. 1,000 rubles remained, which Ivanova forgot about. Over 4 years, the bank accrued interest on this money.
"And I wouldn't have known how I got richer if it weren't for the watchful eye of the state! One kopeck! From the "Bechtold" account. To the special account. So that I probably wouldn't spend it on someone else's fine," Ivanova suggested.
According to the human rights activist, she did not intend to open a special account, but the state set it up without her knowledge. This account also had just over 10 rubles — probably the remainder from an account in T-bank, which she does not use.
"Well, and now another 0.01 rubles. I will, of course, close the account. I will transfer the small remainder to Melkonyants. Or to someone else decent. Nowadays, there are hundreds in dungeons. It's disgusting to feed the leviathan even with a kopeck," Ivanova concluded.
From March 1, 2025, "foreign agents" are required to transfer all funds received from sales, rentals, creative royalties, account capitalizations in banks, and cashbacks to a special account in Sber. The citizen cannot use this money until the "foreign agent" status is removed.
Earlier, the State Duma proposed to seize funds from special accounts and direct them to the restoration of "new regions" or "SVO fighters." The corresponding bill has not yet been submitted to parliament.
* Recognized as "foreign agents" in Russia.