All news

Police detain raiders in Moscow region

The agribusiness then was illegally re-registered with the assistance of officials at the committee for land resources

MOSCOW, August 22 (Itar-Tass) — Agents of the Interior Ministry's main department for economic security and combating corruption /GUEBiPK/ rounded up a group whose participants are suspected of illegal acquisition of land shares belonging to the staff of restructured collective farms in the Ruza district, Moscow region.

"The organized group comprised executives of commercial companies and government bodies of the Ruza district of the Moscow region," the GUEBiPK press service told Itar-Tass on Wednesday, "a total of 12 persons have been detained, including the suspected mastermind, a 53-year-old resident of Moscow. In the period from 2003 through 2011, the suspects obtained 254 land shares worth 297 million roubles."

"The group had a stable structure and comprised four independent branches with clear division of functions, and a common financial basis. Its actions were consolidated and guided by one leadership.

"Pretending to be investors who considered putting money in agriculture, the group leaders got access to the founding documents of companies located approximately on one third of the territory of the Ruza district. As a result of talks, they either had company directors replaced or secured the loyalty of incumbent executives. Then, entering in collusion with directors of collective farms, they drew fake founding documents of companies dated 1992-1994. Under these documents, all the collective farm personnel contributed their land shares to the authorized capital of restructured businesses.

Also, the group misled the owners of land plots and fraudulently obtained letters of attorney to manage their land shares and represent them at agribusinesses. Having secured the opportunity to become members of company administration, the suspects had the shareholders' meeting vote to set up a daughter commercial firm with land shares in its authorized capital.

The agribusiness then was illegally re-registered with the assistance of officials at the committee for land resources and land development of the Ruza district of the Federal Registration Service department of the Moscow region. The shares in the authorized capital of these companies were sold to companies controlled by the group, land plots were merged and divided which lent this property the appearance of legal real estate. Police carried out more than 30 searches and questioned 250 former personnel of collective farms and their successors who were recognized as injured parties.

The investigation continues. GUEBiPK specialties are ascertaining additional episodes of the suspects' illegal activities.