The Main Directorate on Major Crimes Investigation of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation completed the investigation into former Head of the Mari El Republic and Chairman of the Republican Government Leonid Markelov; his deputy and also former minister of agriculture and food of the Republic Iraida Dolgusheva; as well as corporate entity’s CEO Natalia Kozhanova. Depending on the involvement of each, they are charged with offences under Part 6 of Article 290; Part 2 of Article 285; Part 1 of Article 222; Part 4 of Article 291.1 (bribe-taking; abuse of authority; illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or bearing of firearms; mediation in bribery) of the Criminal Code of Russia.

According to the investigation, Markelov, holding his post, received through a proxy of Kozhanova a bribe of more than 235 million roubles for general patronage and assistance in a state support property payment for the development of the agricultural complex from the founder of the Akashevskaya factory Nikolay Krivash. In addition, Markelov is charged with illegal acquisition and storage of ammunition. In her turn, minister Dolgusheva provided false information from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Mari El Republic for the benefit of businessman Krivash, which allowed Markelov receiving the bribe on a very large scale.

The investigators collected enough evidence for the criminal case to be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office to approve an indictment.

Krivash is considered to be one of the accused; he eloped from the law enforcement agencies and is searched for.

 

Official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia S. Petrenko