News

Upon instruction of Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin, the probe into Fedor Streltsov launched by the Rostov Regional Investigations Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia has been referred to the Main Investigations Directorate over the North Caucasian Federal District of the Investigative Committee of Russia for a further thorough investigation.

During the preliminary investigation, the Rostov Regional Investigations Directorate established that Streltsov, in conspiracy with seven other persons also to be brought to criminal responsibility, had been committing economic and general crimes against entrepreneurs of Krasnodar and Rostov Regions for several years. The total damage inflicted by their illegal activities on citizens exceeded 1 billion rubles. Depending on the role of each, their actions are recognized as offenses under Article 159 (swindling), Article 201 (abuse of authority), Article 309 (bribery, or compulsion for giving testimony, refuse from testifying, or mistranslation), Article 193.1 (currency and ruble transactions to accounts of non-residents using forged documents), and Article 315 (non-execution of a court’s order, decision, or any other judicial act) of the Criminal Code of Russia.

However, Streltsov himself fled from the investigation and was declared wanted. It is known that he might be in Ukraine.

A number of mass media sources repeatedly reported about the illegal activities of Fedor Streltsov who is sometimes called “a Tsapki gang mastermind not taking part in massacres” and “financier called Fedya Obnal (Cash-Out)”. Apart from that, it was noted that victims and witnesses of the offenses were under pressure that undoubtedly affected the process of the preliminary investigation.

Taking into account all circumstances of the committed offenses, the fears of victims and witnesses, and personalities of certain perpetrators, Alexander Bastrykin has instructed investigators of the Main Investigations Directorate over the North Caucasian Federal District of the Investigative Committee of Russia to take over the criminal proceedings. The investigation will include required investigative and operative activities aimed at the identification of all victims and bringing to justice every accomplice of the criminal activities. Investigators will thoroughly examine all circumstances of the events to establish the role and extent of involvement of perpetrators in the offenses and check the involvement of other persons.

Official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia S. Petrenko