A Tajik-born Russian citizen Tahmina Samadova, a large family mother, has been sentenced to four years in prison for committing fraud to obtain housing in Russia.  However, the execution of her sentence has been postponed until her youngest son turns 18, according to reports from Baza.

Authorities reportedly became interested in Samadova and her husband, Ramazon Rahimov, after the couple, who had been living in Russia for over 14 years and are raising seven children, received a 24 million ruble housing certificate from the administration of Mytishchi in January 2025. The certificate was part of a government program aimed at supporting large families.

At the time, Mytishchi’s mayor, Yulia Kupetskaya, stated that the family met all the requirements for receiving the certificate and was also involved in charity work. However, after the news of the certificate’s issuance became public, a wave of criticism flooded social media, leading to the cancellation of the certificate.

The Russian Investigative Committee launched a probe into the actions of the Mytishchi administration, resulting in the arrest of the deputy head of the city for negligence in issuing the document. Investigators found that the official in charge of the commission responsible for determining the family's low-income status had failed to verify the accuracy of the information provided.

As a result, an investigation was launched into Tahmina Samadova under Article 159.2 (4) of Russia’s Penal Code, which addresses fraud related to receiving benefits. Samadova was arrested but later released on the condition that she would not leave her place of residence.

Previously, on April 28, Samadova filed a lawsuit against the Mytishchi administration, demanding the return of the housing certificate.  The Mytishchi City Administration is listed as the defendant, with the Ministry of Housing Policy of Moscow Oblast also named as a third party in the case.

Samadova and Rahimov, who became Russian citizens 14 years ago, had previously lived in a one-room apartment with their seven children.