The Ministry of Internal Affairs denied cancer patient Lerchek's claims that she was not allowed to see doctors.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs denied Lerchek, who was diagnosed with stage-four metastatic stomach cancer, claimed she was barred from seeing doctors during the investigation. According to law enforcement, all of the 33-year-old blogger's requests were granted in full, with only a few exceptions.
"Today, a statement from a woman accused of illegally transferring over 250 million rubles abroad was widely circulated in the media and online, alleging that she was barred from visiting medical facilities during the investigation. This information is untrue," RIA Novosti's press service quoted her as saying. It was clarified that Lerchek received refusals from investigators only twice—when it came to visiting private medical facilities.
It was previously reported that Lerchek (real name Valeria Chekalina) filed a complaint with the Investigative Committee requesting an investigation into the actions of an investigator who, according to her, denied her access to doctors during her house arrest. According to the blogger, these actions may have been related to attempts to pressure her into confessing.
As a reminder, Chekalina's diagnosis was made public in early March. She was admitted to the oncology intensive care unit immediately after the birth of her fourth child with her boyfriend, Luis Squicciarini. The blogger's condition is currently considered extremely serious: she has fractured two vertebrae, is in severe pain (9-10 points on a scale of 1-10), and is unable to move independently. Lerchek is undergoing intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy at a state oncology center, as she lacks the funds to attend a private clinic due to the freezing of her bank accounts. Recently, the blogger contacted her followers and assured them of the veracity of her illness, stating that she "really wants to live."
Amid public outcry, the court suspended the criminal case against the blogger, and she was released from house arrest so she could continue treatment. Soon after, media reports began circulating that Lerchek had fully repaid her 175 million ruble tax debt (it was later revealed that the funds had been contributed anonymously), and Squicchiarini confirmed this. It remains unknown who helped Chekalina, but rumors persist that it was her ex-husband, Artyom Chekalin, who sold their former marital home around the same time.
Valeria and Artyom Chekalin, who divorced in 2024 and are raising three children, are accused of illegally transferring more than 250 million rubles abroad. According to investigators, the bloggers earned millions by selling online courses and fitness marathons and transferred the money to the UAE using forged documents. They face up to 10 years in prison.
Photos: ler_chek_official/Telegramim__lu_, lerchekfamily_life/Instagram**
