Illegally installed surveillance equipment found in Camchatka home, resulting in fines for the resident
In a recent court ruling, Alexei L, a resident of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, was found guilty of illegally acquiring and using special equipment for secret information gathering. The verdict was delivered on June 2, 2025, in the Viluchinsky City Court of Kamchatka Krai.
The crime committed by Alexei L was related to his ongoing divorce proceedings. He secretly installed a hidden tracking device in his wife's car, disguising it as an ordinary USB car adapter. The device, capable of transmitting data via cellular networks, functioned as an acoustic radio microphone with a built-in GPS tracker. This covert action violated his wife's constitutional rights and freedoms by secretly monitoring her movements.
The verdict against Alexei L is not yet in effect and can be appealed. However, the fine of 70,000 rubles has been imposed, reflecting the severity of the offence under Article 138.1 of the RF Criminal Code.
Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation addresses illegal use of special technical means intended for covert information gathering. This includes devices for secret audio or video recording, interception, surveillance, and similar activities without proper authorization. Penalties for such offences may include fines, compulsory labor, corrective labor, restriction of liberty, arrest, and imprisonment.
Unfortunately, the camera and recorded materials have disappeared, making it impossible to verify the extent of the information gathered by the device. This is not the first incident of its kind, as similar incidents involving stolen hidden cameras have happened before, particularly during the operation on "Leopard Land."
In an unrelated incident, a tiger in Primorye was discovered to have stolen a photo trap. The identity of the "thieving" tiger was established during the review of recordings.
The Russian government has enacted these provisions to regulate the use of surveillance and interception equipment to protect privacy rights and prevent unauthorized intelligence gathering. Using or distributing such equipment without legal permission (such as from law enforcement or intelligence agencies) is a criminal offense.
The use of the hidden tracking device by Alexei L, disguised as an ordinary USB car adapter, falls under the category of illegal technology as per Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which addresses the unauthorized use of special technical means for secret information gathering. The guilty verdict against Alexei L, involving general-news related to crime-and-justice, is subject to appeal, with a fine of 70,000 rubles already imposed.
