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Court sanctions house arrest of former Tula region governor

The ex-governor will be under house arrest in the village of Khomyakovo, Tula region

MOSCOW, September 6 (Itar-Tass) — Moscow's Basmanny court on Tuesday sanctioned house arrest of former Tula region governor Vyacheslav Dudka, accused of taking a 40-million-rouble bribe. The court thereby met the investigator's petition.

The ex-governor will be under house arrest in the village of Khomyakovo, Tula region.

The court placed a number of restrictions on Dudka. He is banned from leaving his apartment, communicating with the persons within the criminal case against him, receiving and sending correspondence, and negotiating through any means of communications.

Dudka cannot talk with journalists or make public statements through any media outlets. However, he can communicate with his family and lawyers.

By sanctioning Dudka's arrest on Tuesday, the court agreed with the investigator’s position that the former governor, if at large, might escape, put pressure on witnesses or threaten them, obstruct the investigation or destroy evidence.

"The defence regards today's court ruling as illegal and unsubstantiated, so we'll appeal it at a higher court – the Moscow City Court," Dudka's lawyer Vladimir Zherebyonkov said.

He noted that the "court is being overcautious," hence its ruling on house arrest.

Dudka refused to talk with the reporters after the Tuesday hearing, citing the court's restriction.