Moscow police discovered an illegal gambling facility in an apartment belonging to the wife of renowned fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin, Ren-TV reported Sunday.
Police seized electronic gambling machines and roulette and card tables in an apartment in downtown Moscow registered under the name of Yudashkin's wife, Marina Yudashkina, Ren-TV reported. Individuals who had been gambling in the apartment at the time of the police raid reportedly fled through the fire escape.
The neighbors had informed police on the illegal activities they suspected were taking place in the apartment, Ren-TV reported.
Yudashkina denied any involvement in the gambling activities in an interview with tabloid news site Super.ru, saying that she had rented the property out. Yudashkina said she had sent an explanatory letter to police and had provided documents proving she had no meaningful connections with her tenants.
The Russian government outlawed most casinos in 2009. Gambling facilities can only be built in four designated zones in the country.
In December, President Vladimir Putin approved legislation that bolstered penalties for organizing and taking part in illegal gambling. Offenders can face a fine of up to 500,000 rubles ($8,600) or two years behind bars.