News

The Ural Federal District Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation against Deputy Governor of Chelyabinsk Region Nikolai Sandakov over a crime under part 6 of article 290 of the RF Penal Code (bribery on a very large scale).

Investigators have revealed that in 2011, Sandakov offered head of Ozyorsk town administration Yevgheny Tarasov for a fee to create and support a positive image of him in the mass media, which later should have ensure his promotion and help him to become Mayor of Magnitogorsk. For that Tarasov gave Sandakov a bribe of 1,500,000 rubles.

In the evening of 26 March, Sandakov was apprehending by officers of Chelyabinsk Region Office of the Federal Security Service at the airport of Chelyabinsk while trying to flee Ural Federal District.

Today Sandakov has been charged and following a request of investigators Lenin District Court of the city of Yekaterinburg has ruled to place him in custody pending trial. During the interrogation the accused has not admitted his guilt and refused to make statements. During the probe the investigators are going to check Sandakov on involvement in other acts of corruption. The investigation is ongoing.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                             V.I. Markin