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Russian MP denies relation to commercial activities in Bulgaria

Gudkov said he has no time to “do commerce” as he is busy working in the State Duma

MOSCOW, June 23 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian Defence Ministry deputy Gennady Gudkov denied assertions that he was engaged in commercial activities in Bulgaria.

“I personally was not engaged in any commercial activities, let alone in Bulgaria,” Gudkov said, commenting on reports that the Investigation Committee has received a complaint claiming that he was allegedly laundering money in Bulgaria.

“I did buy beer and did banana-boating, that’s true. This is in fact an investment in the Bulgarian economy. My children have an inexpensive apartment there, but many people in Russia can afford that now,” the MP said.

Gudkov said no one from the Investigation Committee has contacted him so far. He links the money laundering allegations to “the scandals that the authorities have made about my person” to “the slam and publications”.

“The Investigation Committee has to give up merger cases now or create a special department for investigating Gennady Gudkov’s activities abroad,” said the lawmaker from the opposition Just Russia party and active member of public protests.

Gudkov said he has no time to “do commerce” as he is busy working in the State Duma.

Earlier in the day, the Investigation Committee has received information from a Bulgarian citizen who claimed that

Gudkov was “laundering money abroad”.

“The statement mentions investments in foreign firms made through one of the Cypriot banks from an offshore company,” Investigation Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on Saturday, June 23, when asked by Itar-Tass to comment.

“The Investigation Committee will examine this statement as prescribed by law and make an appropriate procedural decision,” Markin said.

He provided no details, names, amounts of money or companies involved.

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