Authorities in Russia’s Altai region have arrested Sergei Matasov, the founder of a cultural center dedicated to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, on suspicion of fraud. State media reported the arrest on Friday.
Matasov, who also leads the regional chapter of the Communists of Russia party in the Altai legislative assembly, is accused of falsely employing two relatives between 2021 and 2025, while allegedly pocketing their salaries. The Communists of Russia party is distinct from the larger Communist Party of the Russian Federation.
Authorities estimate the damages at 3.25 million rubles (approximately $35,800). If convicted of large-scale fraud, Matasov faces up to 10 years in prison.
State-run TASS news agency released police footage showing plainclothes officers and masked security agents escorting Matasov from his office into a law enforcement building.
Matasov is also known for founding the Stalin Center, a “cultural and historical” center in Barnaul, dedicated to the Soviet leader. The center opened in December 2023 but announced it would close for a “brief reconstruction” starting Thursday, after Matasov was reportedly questioned by security services last month.
On Wednesday, the 72nd anniversary of Stalin’s death, a group of anonymous activists staged a protest by plastering the Stalin Center with anti-Stalin signs. Local media reported that the protest was in response to a New Year’s party held by the center, where children were encouraged to chase away a pirate-like character named “Barmaley the Liberal.”
