The Volgograd Region Office of the Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings against head of a settlement in Kamyshin District. He is suspected of a crime under Part 3 of Article 30, Part 5, item “c” of Article 290 of the RF Penal Code (attempted bribery).
According to investigators, in May 2016, the official learnt that a commercial company was taking sand from the settlement he was the head of, for repairing a federal highway while the work was being done in agricultural lands. As the property was not being used properly and damage was being done to fertile layer of the ground, the official offered the businessman that he would close his eyes to his illegal activity for a reward of 1 million rubles.
When the CEO of the company refused to pay, the suspect arranged that his activity was checked by law-enforcement and oversight authorities, including Rosprirodnadzor (the federal natural resources oversight service), which estimated the damage done to the environment standing at 7.5 million rubles. Taking advantage of this situation, the official again demanded the same sum of money. That time the businessman had to agree, but he reported the extortion to police.
On 14 November 2016, the suspect was detained red handed by agents of the Economic Security and Corruption Office of the regional police department and the regional office of the Federal Security Service.
At present, investigative operations are underway to find out all the circumstances surrounding the crime. The suspect has admitted his guilt and is now expecting a restraint. The investigators are requesting a court to place him under house arrest. The investigation is ongoing.
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