The Frunze District Court of Vladivostok has today started preliminary hearing in the case investigated by the major office of the Investigative Committee against former Director of the Far Easter Federal District Construction Directorate Andrei Poplabsky. He is charged with crimes under Part 4 of Article 160 of the RF Penal Code (embezzlement) and Part 3 of Article 204 (commercial bribery).

According to investigators Poplavsky with complicity of Shishov, the CEO of OOO NPO Mostovik and CEO of ZAO Kosandra Aleksandr Kosyachenko embezzled over 1 billion rubles allocated to build Maritime Aquarium in Vladivostok. Besides, Poplavsky got a commercial bribe from Kosyachenko and Shishov of over 145 million rubles for accepting the work carried out by the general contractor, payment for it and further financing of construction.

Despite the fact that Poplavsky has not admitted his guilt, the investigators have enough evidence confirming his involvement. This evidence includes the statement made by Shishov and his subordinates at OOO NPO Mostovik who were involved in passing the money on to Poplavsky and confirmed their statements during a confrontation. The case against Shishov concluded a cooperation deal, has already been tried and he has gotten 3 years in prison.

The investigators also have received the evidence given by Kozyachenko, who both in person and via middlemen passed the money on to Poplavsky, which qualifies for giving a bribe. Due to Kosyachenko’s death, the case against him that was severed to form a separate lawsuit, has been closed due to non-rehabilitating reasons.

The criminal case against Poplavsky with the approved indictment has been referred to court.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                                  V.I. Markin