In brief:
- Russian court transferred BitRiver founder Igor Runets to pre-trial detention during an expanding fraud investigation involving En+ equipment transactions.
- Investigators are examining financial records, technical evidence, contracts, and witness testimony linked to disputed mining equipment.
- Earlier bankruptcy monitoring and tax allegations against Fox Group have intensified legal pressure surrounding BitRiver’s ongoing criminal case in Russia.
BitRiver founder Igor Runets has been transferred to a Moscow pre-trial detention center after a Russian court approved stricter preventive measures. The ruling marks another development in a criminal investigation tied to an alleged crypto mining equipment fraud involving Russian energy company En+.
The Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow approved the transfer on Wednesday, replacing Runets’ previous house arrest. As a result, he will remain in custody for at least two months while investigators advance the case. Local outlet Bits Media reported that authorities requested the stricter measure during the ongoing proceedings.
Investigators charged Runets under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code. The charge covers fraud on an especially large scale committed by an organized group. Authorities allege that Runets and BitRiver participated in a mining equipment transaction that caused En+ losses totaling 1 billion rubles, or about $12.5 million.
Moreover, investigators are reviewing financial records, technical evidence, and contractual documents linked to the disputed transaction. Those findings will help determine the next stage of the criminal proceedings.
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Bankruptcy case adds to BitRiver’s legal challenges
The detention order follows earlier financial and legal disputes involving BitRiver’s parent company, Fox Group. In late January 2026, a Russian court placed Fox Group under bankruptcy monitoring over an unresolved debt worth $9.2 million.
The bankruptcy case stems from an equipment supply agreement involving an En+ subsidiary. Authorities claim the contract was never fulfilled, leaving the dispute unresolved. Besides that case, investigators also charged Runets with tax evasion during the same period.
Initially, the court ordered Runets to remain under house arrest while authorities gathered additional evidence. However, prosecutors later sought stricter restrictions as the investigation progressed. The Moscow court ultimately granted that request and transferred him to pre-trial detention.
Additionally, the investigation now spans multiple allegations involving fraud, tax matters, and commercial disputes. That broader scope has increased legal pressure on both Runets and companies connected to the transactions under review.
Investigators have not concluded the criminal case. Instead, they are examining equipment records, financial documentation, and expert assessments connected to the disputed mining deal. Authorities are also expected to review testimony from En+ representatives before deciding the next procedural steps, Bits Media reported.
Conclusion
The latest court ruling places Runets in pre-trial detention while investigators complete evidence reviews and witness examinations. Meanwhile, the decision adds to BitRiver’s growing legal difficulties as Russian authorities pursue fraud and tax-related allegations linked to its business operations.
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