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Belarusian official detained for taking bribes

The State Security Committee of Belarus has detained Igor Vasilyev

MINSK, July 25 (Itar-Tass) — The State Security Committee of Belarus has detained Igor Vasilyev, the first deputy chairman of the Minsk city executive committee, for extorting a bribe worth 500,000 dollars from a foreign investor, the State Security Committee reported on Wednesday.

Vasilyev tried to extort half a million dollars from representative of a European investor company which wanted to conclude an investment contract worth over 30 million dollars. Vasilyev put up a condition that the investor should give him the money in two equal parts.

State Security Committee employees detained Vasilyev after receiving the first portion in his office. Criminal proceedings were initiated against Vasilyev on charges of receiving bribes in huge amount. Under Belarusian laws, he may face from 5 to 15 years in prison with confiscation of his property.

The State Security Committee of Belarus also reports that Vasilyev will stay in custody during the investigation. He has fully admitted his guilt. The materials of his case have been handed over to the Investigative Committee of Belarus.

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