Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova stated that she has no debt to the Federal Tax Service and threatened legal action over the spread of false information. She published the statement on her Instagram page.
Zagitova described the publication about her alleged debt as an example of unprofessionalism and a pursuit of loud headlines without basic fact-checking. She attached an official certificate to her post confirming the absence of any tax debt to the service.
Legal action and defamation warning
The athlete demanded the removal of the false information and the publication of an official retraction. She warned that she would protect her honor and reputation in court if the reporting was not taken down.
Zagitova noted that spreading deliberately false statements damaging honor and dignity may constitute defamation under Article 128.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. She added that Article 152 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation gives her the right to demand a retraction.
Allegations of unpaid patent fees
The response followed a report by the Telegram channel Mash na sporte claiming Zagitova owed 89,000 rubles to the Federal Tax Service. The channel reported that the alleged debt resulted from unpaid patent fees owed by the athlete.
