STEPAN’S ATTORNEY: Artem Dmitrievich Gudilenkov. +79177060135

TIMELINE:

-Monday February 16, 2026 - Stepan detained at customs at airport in Nizhny Novgorod

-Released on Friday on February 20th, 2026

-Trial on Monday February 23, 2026

-Deadline for fine March 23, 2026 (charges and specifics below)

MONEY SENT VIA PAY PAL FOR TRAVEL

COMMUNICATION FROM WHATSAPP BY “STEPAN’S MOTHER” ON THE DAY OF HIS “ARREST”

[5:31 AM, 2/19/2026] Жанна: Mr. Raymond. Hello, my name is Zhanna. I'm Stepan's mother. I don't have much time. I have a fever and have been taking antibiotics.

I'll try to explain everything now. My lawyer called me yesterday, but I didn't immediately understand what was going on. I couldn't sleep well last night after all the news, which simply made my head spin. So I think you understand why I'm writing so late. The lawyer told me I needed to come to the police station, that Stepan was there, and that he needed to talk with me first before we went. He didn't answer my questions about what was going on, but said he would discuss everything in detail in person. And although he seemed like a simple man, I understood a lot during our conversation, and some of it was lost in his conversation. Some of the nuances were simply unfamiliar to me, given the legal aspect and his experience in criminal cases. But the lawyer explained everything several times. I had to ask him several times to repeat some things. But as I said, the lawyer turned out to be someone who understood the situation, experienced, and knowledgeable in the legal field. At the very least, this conversation was productive and helpful for getting a better understanding. So I decided to write everything down in detail and try not to miss anything. If I repeat myself, I ask for your understanding!!!

Stepan was detained while attempting to smuggle. I almost fainted. I told the lawyer it was nonsense and to let me see Stepan. I truly couldn't accept or understand anything. What smuggling were they talking about, and in what context?

Then the lawyer explained everything to me in detail. He said he had been detained by customs officers. He seemed suspicious. During the inspection, they asked him to remove all his belongings, and Stepan told them he had a flight and needed to leave. Then they called the police, as they didn't like Stepan's behavior at all. He sat in the police station, where they began a detailed search, and Stepan began arguing and cursing at the officers. Then he started being rude to them, and the police used physical force to subdue the unruly citizen. I tried to explain to the lawyer that this was a lie, that Stepan was incapable of swearing at all, especially with police officers. I told him I didn't believe it. And why did they beat him? He's a calm and quiet boy. The lawyer understood perfectly well, but an arrest report had been drawn up, and everything was recorded in writing. The most unpleasant thing is that Stepan signed it. The lawyer said he could imagine that all of this was done under duress and that he simply had no choice. But all this was supposedly used as a pretext for the arrest, because the customs officers found it strange that Stepan had an icon on him. I tried to find answers and asked what was strange about that. He said that our government is very strict about the export or import of valuable items. I tried to explain to him that it was an ordinary church icon, with no material value. I don't understand, what value did they see in the icon? Only after that did the lawyer begin to say that this was precisely the point. And he asked me more about this icon, where Stepan got it, how did he end up with it? And I simply didn't know what to say, I could only assume that he was talking about the icon that Stepan and I prepared for you, Mr. Raymond, as a gift, so that it would protect you and my son from all ailments. And I said it was a simple icon and there was nothing special about it. I said that such things can be bought for pennies. But the lawyer said that the Investigation and the police did not think so. I didn't understand at all why we were talking about this, and I asked the lawyer to show me Stepan, and I wanted to make sure that he was okay and that this icon was not significant, and they coul…

[7:54 AM, 2/19/2026] Raymond: Zhanna, thank you for reaching out. Sounds awful. I’m speechless. I really don’t know what to say. Please keep me apprised of the situation and the developments. Both you and he will be in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏

[10:13 AM, 2/19/2026] Жанна: Mr. Raymond, thank you for responding. Your answer is truly important. Stepan was just with me. I gave him a sedative. He was very stressed and couldn't say anything coherent. But from what he said, he was most concerned about you being informed of everything that was happening. It was clear he had been severely abused, tortured. I'm barely trying to contain myself right now, but I can't. I didn't want to leave, but the police said they'd keep him for a while longer. Stepan was forbidden from leaving the Nizhny Novgorod region. They haven't told me anything yet, not even when they'll release him.

I can't do anything about it. The lawyer said they had an expert appraisal done on the icon Stepan tried to leave Nizhny Novgorod with. Its value, Mr. Raymond, is 24,600,000 rubles. I couldn't accept that. I told the lawyer it was worth no more than a couple thousand rubles. Where did they even get that amount of money? I'm completely confused and still don't understand. I asked the lawyer what to do now, what should we do? The lawyer said he recommends hiring a more experienced lawyer who can sort everything out and make the right decision. However, I asked him how much a lawyer's services would cost to handle this case. He told me that services can range from 250,000 to 300,000 rubles. I'll try to get a loan.

Because this case needs to be taken extremely seriously and we need to do it as soon as possible. Because the police now have the value of this icon, which is enough to send the case to court. So I need to hurry. And until we hire a specialist who understands these types of cases, he will officially be our lawyer. We should keep in touch with him about everything that's happening. He will contact me if there is any news. Mr. Raymond, I'm going to take a sedative myself now; my head is spinning from all of this. So we'll talk later. Right now I'm depressed and don't know what to do or say. Give me some time to calm down. And I'll send you the documents the lawyer sent me. Can you translate them into your language? I'm not that well versed in this.

[10:18 AM, 2/19/2026] Жанна: The documents were sent out of order. If you need to send them in order, let me know. I'll try to send one photo at a time.

[5:37 AM, 2/20/2026] Жанна: Mr. Raymond. This is truly a very difficult and painful situation. It would be very important for me, as it would for Stepan, to hear from you. I understand how shocked you must be right now. I'm barely coping myself, taking medication to keep myself going.

Sorry, I forgot to tell you about the icon. This icon has been in our family for a very long time. It was passed down from generation to generation, and it's always been in my house, for as long as I can remember. There can't be any receipt for this icon, and no one could even imagine it was worth anything. This is truly nonsense, but as I understand it, we'll have to see what the court says.

I also hope that this case won't draw Stepan into the war in any way; he wouldn't be able to cope there, mentally.…

[12:23 PM, 2/20/2026] Жанна: Mr. Raymond. I'm still waiting for your response.

I spoke with a lawyer and have some news. Some good news.

I'll start with the good news: I was able to get a loan and paid a lawyer who handles such cases. The second is that the trial is scheduled for Monday at 10:30. They will review the materials submitted by the police. Of course, they will review Stepan's testimony and ask about what happened. The lawyer told me to tell Stepan not to mention in court that I handed over the icon and asked that no one in any way implicate me in the case, as that would entail consequences. Given all this, this is a very unfavorable situation. I may be expressing myself incorrectly, as I'm simply trying to convey all the information, so I hope you understand at least roughly…

[4:34 PM, 2/20/2026] Raymond: I have no advice as I am not familiar with the Russian justice system. Based on what you have explained, it’s seems you have very competent legal representation. Based on that, my advice would be to listen to the lawyer. Keep me posted.

Thanks 🙏

[10:30 AM, 2/21/2026] Жанна: Mr. Raymond, thank you so much for your message; hearing from you is incredibly important. I'm very pleased to know you're not standing idle. Stepan was sent home, pending trial. I'm with him now; he's in terrible pain. I've never seen him like this.

You know, any thought you might have would be valuable, but I understand you're unfamiliar with the Russian justice system. I'm not that well-versed myself, but you've made a good point. The new lawyer is very knowledgeable, and it's immediately clear he knows what he's doing.

I also asked him if anything could be done about the law enforcement officers who abused Stepan, to which he told me nothing would happen to them; they're negligent and bloodthirsty people who think they can get away with anything. Even if I were to go to the prosecutor's office, they'd be acquitted, because from the legal standpoint, Stepan is a criminal, and they were the ones making the arrest.

This is unfair. I don't want to speak ill of the government; I'm afraid it could be dangerous for me. I hope you understand me, my point of view. And Stepan sleeps a lot now; he's powerless.

[10:33 AM, 2/21/2026] Raymond: Thank you for the update. I’m sure you with a mother’s care you will nurse him back to feeling better quickly.

Keep me posted.

[11:14 AM, 2/21/2026] Жанна: Yes, Mr. Raymond, of course, I'll keep you updated on everything.

Stepan woke up briefly, but quickly fell asleep. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he's clearly exhausted. He's barely eating, but I'm forcing him to eat, because he barely ate there. He barely told me what they fed him there, and it's just awful.

[8:26 AM, 2/22/2026] Жанна: Hello, Mr. Raymond, I'd like to let you know that Stepan is feeling better; at least he ate today. He has a fever, 102.4 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). This is terrible, as a normal temperature is 108.6 degrees Fahrenheit (36.6 degrees Celsius). Although he looks better now, he can still barely get out of bed.

I'm having a really hard time myself; the court date is tomorrow, and no one knows what will happen. My lawyer is telling me to stay calm. I'm trying, but seeing my son in this state is terrible, and it's putting a lot of pressure on him.

I went to church this morning, and I pray and continue to pray for my son to be okay. He doesn't deserve this suffering. Stepan is always kind and positive. When he told me about you, I never saw such admiration and joy on his face.

I'm sorry, but I'm very sad. I hope you're okay, Mr. Raymond.

[10:07 AM, 2/22/2026] Raymond: Thank you for the communication

FROM STEPAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIAL:
”Impose a fine on Stepan Romanovich Stepchenko in the amount of 3,198,000 rubles. If the fine isn't paid by March 23, 2026, immediate penalties would be imposed. Let me list them for you:

1. 8 to 10 years in prison.

2. A fine of 300% to 1000% of the original amount.

3. Up to 2 years of forced labor.

The icon will be confiscated, and what will happen to it after that is unknown. The money will be donated to the state. But if I pay the fine, the icon will rightfully belong to me, and I will also be given supporting documents. Later, after the trial, the lawyer told me that if I decided to sell it, he could help me with that, so I wouldn't run into any problems.

Raymond, I've been placed under supervision. Now I'm required to be home from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and a police officer will also be coming and checking. After the hearing, they let me out of the cage, I walked out of the courtroom, and I just wanted to sit down.

COURT DOCS