Sakhalin Region investigating bodies of the Russia’s Investigative Committee have launched two criminal cases against vice-mayor, head of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city administration Alexey Leskin. He is suspected of crimes under parts 5 and 6 of article 290 of the RF Penal Code (bribery on a very large scale).
Following a request of investigators a court has ruled to put him in custody.
According to investigators, in the period between June and December 2014, Leskin while serving as vice-mayor received via a middleman Andrey Lobkin (former mayor of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) a cash bribe of 10 million rubles from a candidate to deputy for assisting in election campaign by persuading other candidates to withdraw from elections.
In addition, Leskin took 5 million rubles for similar actions in the interest of another candidate who is also a current deputy of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk City Duma. Lobkin acted as a middleman in this scheme as well.
A criminal case has been opened against Lobkin on charges of a crime under part 4 of article 291.1 of the RF Penal Code (mediation in bribery). According to investigators at present Lobkin is abroad so soon he will be put on a wanted list.
Operative support is provided by officials of Sakhalin Region Office of the Russian Ministry of the Interior.
At present the deputies are actively cooperating with investigators. Necessary investigative operations are underway to gather and consolidate the evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
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