An investigator of the Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has charged mayor of Astrakhan Mikhail Stolyarov with the crime under part 6 of article 290 of the RF Penal Code (taking a bribe on an especially massive scale).
In addition, the Main Investigations Directorate has requested court to dismiss Stolyarov from office. The request was made to prevent Stolyarov from pressing investigation using the administrative resource.
As it has been reported earlier, 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. Stolyarov was held by the officers of the Economic Security Main Office of the Russian Interior Ministry at the moment when he was taking a bribe. After that the mayor was detained by the investigator of the Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee and later remanded in custody by court. Searches have been carried out 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. In addition they are checking the information on the mayor’s property and bank accounts.
Stolyarov has not confessed to the crime and refused to testify. Investigation is ongoing.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
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