The Moscow Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee continue investigation against human rights activist Denis Soldatov suspected of a crime under part 4 of article 159 of the RF Penal Code (fraud).
According to investigators, in 2013, Natalya Malinina, whose father was under arrest at the time, asked for help the head of the prisoners’ rights working group of the Public Control Development Council of the State Duma Committee for public associations and religious organizations and to the head of human rights project Gulagu.net and human rights activist Vladimir Osechkin. According to our information, Osechkin at the said time took active part in the activity of the Public Observing Commission, despite the fact that in 2013 he was still a convict and could not be an official member of the organization. Osechkin actively positioned himself as a human rights activist which made the victim trust him. Then he acquainted Malinina with a colleague of his and former coordinator of the Gulagu.net project Denis Soldatov and said that the latter would help her with everything.
During further meetings, Soldatov, who according to preliminary information also was an active participant of the Public Observation Commission, misled Malinina saying that he and his acquaintances could provide all kinds of services from hiring a lawyer, to getting her father from jail, publishing details of the case in the media and discussing the prospects of its investigation with deputies of the State Duma. In fact, Soldatov had neither intention, nor opportunity to do all that. However, he took from Malinina 1 million rubles for those purposes and then stole them.
Today, the investigators are searching houses of Vladimir Osechkin and Denis Soldatov to find and seize objects and documents vital for the investigation.
They also have information that there were similar crimes committed and at the present time they are checking it.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
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