The Finnish prosecutor’s office is demanding a four-month suspended prison sentence for Natus Vincere captain Aleksib regarding aggravated tax fraud. The charges were read out on Friday in the District Court of Eastern Uusimaa.

According to the prosecution, the player failed to declare income received in 2020 from OG relating to the American company Valve Corporation for the year 2019. The undeclared amount exceeds 53,000 euros, which resulted in income tax being underestimated by more than 28,000 euros. The prosecution classifies the violation as aggravated due to intended significant financial gain.

Aleksib admits he did not declare the specified amount, but denies intentional tax evasion and intent to gain financial benefit. The defense stated that the money was received from the sale of stickers in Counter Strike. At the time of the events when he was 22 years old, the player did not understand that such income was subject to taxation. The defense noted that since taxes were already withheld from his main salary, he believed all tax obligations were fulfilled. The district court will announce its decision in the case at a later date.