News

Probe launched against head of Mari El republic and his accomplices

The Investigative Committee’s Major Cases Directorate has initiated criminal proceedings against former head of the Republic of Mari El and Chairman of the local government Leonid Markelov and other persons suspected of taking a bribe under part 6 of Article 290, giving a bribe under part 5 of Article 291 and mediation in bribery under Part 4 of Article 291.1 of the RF Penal Code.

According to investigators, while being the head of the republic, took an illegal reward of more than 235 million rubles via his proxy Natalia Kozhavina from founder of Akashevskaya factory Nikolai Krivash for patronage and assisting in distribution of state subsidies for the development of agriculture.

The suspects were detained during joint operations conducted by the Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service.

The investigators are searching the offices and residences of the suspects and their relatives to find and seize items relative to the investigation.

The investigators are going to press the charges soon and ask courts to place the suspects in custody pending trial.

Official spokesperson for the RF Investigative Committee                                                                       S.L. Petrenko