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A court has recognized the evidence gathered by the first investigations department of the Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee sufficient to convict former head of the department of motorways and traffic affairs of Voronezh Region Alexander Trubnikov. He was found guilty of crimes under part 6 of article 290, paragraph “c” of part 5 of article 290, part 1 of article 30, paragraph “c” of part 5 of article 290 of the RF Penal Code (bribery on grand and very grand scales).

According to investigators, in April 2013, Trubnikov offered CEO of OAO Voronezhavtodor (OJSC) to give him a fee of 5% from the sums under the motorways maintenance contracts. Fearing unfavorable consequences for the firm the businessman agreed and then went to law enforcement bodies. In May 2013, Turbnikov in his office three times received the money from the CEO of the firm totaling to 2 million 650 thousand rubles. The accused was held, when he was receiving the last portion of the bribe.

In addition, another 2 counts of Trubnikov’s criminal activity connected with giving the same CEO of OAO Voronezhavtodor illegal orders to pay for the work of construction equipment employed by ZAO Khlevenskaya founded by Trubnikov and headed by relative of his, for full budget financing and general patronizing, as well as providing advanced payment to OAO Voronezhavtodor.

It’s no surprise that the state of roads in Voronezh Region is deplorable, as it is in many other regions, practicing the same form of relationship between the local authorities and business. As a consequence we have a huge number of traffic accidents happening to a large degree because of deficient state of motorways. In 2015 alone, there has already been 45 thousand traffic accidents killing about 6 thousand people and injuring over 50 thousand. Voronezh Region is no exception in that. In 2013 alone, the year when Trubnikov was responsible for motorways in the region, there were over a thousand traffic accidents claiming lives of more than 200 people. I wonder, when officials settle about, or worse, extort bribes, do they think about consequences of their actions?

The court sentenced Trubnikov to 7 years 6 months in prison to be served in a maximum-security penal colony and a fine of 150 million rubles.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                                V.I. Markin