The Defense: A Misunderstanding Over Sticker Money
During the trial, Aleksib’s legal team argued that the undeclared money came exclusively from his tournament sticker sales. In 2019, Aleksib was competing under the ENCE banner. His defense claimed he believed the organization was handling all necessary tax declarations for his salary and prize money, and he simply didn't realize that digital sticker revenue had to be reported and taxed separately.
Upon being contacted by the Finnish tax authority, Virolainen immediately paid the outstanding balance, operating under the assumption that the matter was settled.
The Court's Verdict
Unfortunately for the CS2 veteran, the court ruled against him, concluding that the tax evasion was deliberate. The ruling noted that the sticker money accounted for roughly one-third of Aleksib’s total earnings that year—an amount the court deemed too substantial for a player to simply overlook without consequence.
What This Means for Aleksib's Future
Aleksib has a one-month window to appeal the court's decision. His four-month suspended sentence carries a probationary period of two years, meaning any further offenses during this time could result in active imprisonment.
More pressingly for the competitive CS2 scene, this legal hurdle could threaten his participation in upcoming international tournaments. With a suspended sentence on his record, Aleksib may face severe complications securing travel permits outside the European Union, putting a major question mark over his attendance at the upcoming CS2 Major in Singapore.
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