By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 35-year-old Russian national, Pavel Korolev, has been granted bail in the sum of Le 3 million after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Court No. 1 on Pademba Road in Freetown.
Korolev is facing eight counts, including conspiracy to defraud and multiple counts of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20 (1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to court documents, the alleged offences took place between January and June 2025 in Old Mabanta Road, Makeni, within the Sheborah Chiefdom, Bombali Judicial District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone.
Prosecutors allege that Korolev conspired with unknown persons to defraud Meruert Berkalieva, the Chief Executive Officer of Ashkenazi Capital Sierra Leone Limited.
The charges further state that Korolev allegedly received and fraudulently converted several sums of money entrusted to him for artisanal mining operations. These include:
$10,000 (Le 237,000) on March 13, 2025
$30,000 (Le 711,000) on March 18, 2025
$19,500 (Le 462,150) on March 18, 2025
$15,000 (Le 355,500) on March 21, 2025
$10,000 (Le 237,000) on March 24, 2025
$32,000 (Le 758,400) on April 2, 2025
Le 24,000 on the same date
The prosecution alleges that all funds were meant for the management and operation of artisanal mining activities for Ashkenazi Capital Sierra Leone Limited but were instead diverted for personal use.
When the charges were read in court, no plea was taken as the matter is still at the committal stage.
Defense counsel, K. Sellu Esq., renewed his bail application on behalf of the accused.
Magistrate Jah granted bail in the sum of Le 3 million, with strict conditions. Korolev is required to provide two sureties in like sum, both of whom must be Sierra Leonean nationals residing in Freetown.
The court further ordered that one surety must present a valid title deed or conveyance within Freetown, and both sureties must be responsible citizens not below 40 years of age with valid identification documents.
The accused was also ordered to surrender all travel documents, including his passport. Bail is subject to approval by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter has been adjourned to May 6, 2026, for further proceedings.