News

Today military investigators of the Russia’s Investigative Committee have questioned former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov as a suspect in a criminal case over negligence during building in Astrakhan Region a motorway to the Zhitnoye recreation center and repairs of the center on the expense of the Defense Ministry.

Serdyukov did not confess to the crime and refused to testify resorting to article 51 of the RF Constitution, which gives the fight not to testify against oneself. I would like to remind that Yevgenia Vasilyeva former head of property relations department accused in Oboronservis case had used the same right. However, this did not prevented investigators from gathering considerable body of evidence to press several charged against her. As for Serdyukov, even without his testimonies the investigators have enough evidence confirming former minister’s involvement in wrongdoings.

Charges against Serdyukov will be pressed in the near future, and it is possible that they will be reclassified both when pressed and during further inquiry.

Today, in accordance with article 102 of the RF Criminal Procedure Code Serdyukov was put on a pledge not to leave the country and behave properly. this means that Serdyukov permission of the investigator can’t leave his flat and must present himself on time when summoned and should not hamper the inquiry.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                   V.I. Markin