Today mayor of Astrakhan Mikhail Stolyarov, delivered to Moscow, will be questioned by an investigator of the Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee as a suspect. The day before, Stolyarov was held by the officers of the Economic Security Main Office of the Russian Interior Ministry while accepting a bribe of 10 million rubles in cash in a restaurant in Astrakhan. On 13 November the Main Investigations Directorate opened a criminal case against Stolyarov over signs of the crime under part 6 of article 290 of the RF Penal Code (taking a bribe on an especially massive scale).
According to investigators, this October a businessman from Astrakhan appealed to Stolyarov requesting to assign him a piece of land of 3 thousand square meters in Astrakhan to construct an administrative building. Stolyarov agreed, but on condition of taking a bribe of 10 million rubles in cash and demanded to register 25% of the company’s authorized capital on his principal.
Investigators have carried out a number of urgent investigating operations. Namely, searches were conducted yesterday in Astrakhan administration and Stolyarov’s flat. During the searches the investigators have seized objects and documents proving the suspect’s involvement in the crime. Now investigators are analyzing the seized evidence. In addition they are checking the information on the mayor’s property and bank accounts. In the near future the Investigative Committee is planning to go in court with a petition to choose a restraint for Stolyarov.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
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