News

Investigative authorities of the IC of Russia for the Republic of Altay completed their inquiry into the criminal case against the former Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Altay Sergey Kovalenko and his assistant Rustam Tuyunchekov. They are accused of two crimes specified by paragraphs a, c, Part 5, Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (bribe taking by an organized group, on a large scale) and of two crimes specified by Part 6, Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (bribe taking by an organized group, on an especially large scale).

From April 2020 to January 2021, Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Altay Sergey Kovalenko and his assistant Rustam Tuyunchekov, acting as an organized group, on multiple occasions, received bribes on an large and especially large scale from directors of five companies in the form of money for an overall amount of more than 16 million rubles as a reward for signing government contracts with supplier-controlled companies and providing advantages, protection and other assistance in conclusion of government contracts with them for the supply of medical products and goods (personal protective equipment) for the republic’s healthcare system, ensuring future unchecked acceptance of supplied medical products and goods and their prompt payment, the investigation found.

The crimes were identified and prevented through the efficient cooperation between investigative authorities of the regional investigative department and field units of the Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the Republic of Altay.

During the preliminary investigation, the investigator petitioned the court to seize the property of the charged offenders for an overall amount of more than 18 million rubles, which the court agreed to impose.

Although the charged offenders pleaded partially guilty of alleged crimes, the investigative authorities gathered sufficient evidence, thanks to which the criminal case and the bill of indictment were sent to the prosecutor.

It should be emphasized that some directors of companies who offered bribes have already been convicted. Two more entrepreneurs faced charges specified by Part 5, Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (bribe giving on a large scale) and their criminal case was also sent to the prosecutor.