News

The evidence gathered by the Main Investigations Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia was found by court to be sufficient to sentence the judge of the Arbitration Court of the Saratov Region Shamil Kulakhmetov. He was found guilty of committing an offense under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of Russia (swindling on an especially large scale).

Investigation and the court established that Kulakhmetov, with assistance of Nail Gaynanov, a lawyer of the Saratov Bar Association, received 4 million rubles from a local entrepreneur. Kulakhmetov assured the businessman that the money is intended to judges of the Arbitration Appeal Court 12 as a bribe for their decision in a civil case in favor of the above mentioned entrepreneur. In reality, Kulakhmetov did not have the opportunity to resolve this issue and did not intend to perform any actions in the interests of the businessman at all. He stole the funds received with the participation of the lawyer and disposed of them at his discretion.

Kulakhmetov didn't admit his guilt. During investigation his real estate property was arrested.

The court sentenced Kulakhmetov to 4 years of imprisonment and a fine of 400 thousand rubles. 

Previously, in 2019, the former lawyer Gaynanov was found guilty of committing an offense under Part 5 of Article 291.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia (promise or offer of mediation in bribery). The court sentenced him to 3,5 years of imprisonment with a fine. The criminal prosecution of the entrepreneur was terminated in accordance with the norms of the current legislation, which provide for the procedure for exemption from criminal liability.