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Gudkov asks 50 United Russia members not to vote against him

The matter is not one of a mandate. I work not for a salary, and not for a mandate

MOSCOW, September 2 (Itar-Tass) — Deputy head of the Just Russia party's members in the State Duma Gennady Gudkov confirmed to Itar-Tass on Sunday that he had sent letters to 50 United Russia members, asking them not to vote to terminate his powers as a Duma member.

"The matter is not one of a mandate. I work not for a salary, and not for a mandate," the legislator noted. He has appealed to United Russia members, as he believes it is a moment of the truth, when a campaign of political repressions starts.

He sent personal letters to those United Russia members whom he knew well and respected for their professional and personal qualities. He said he had friendly relations with many Duma members. They know that they should not believe in what is said about him. Gudkov asked them to take a legal stand as a deputy's conscience requires, and not just to express support backstage, but to be present at the Duma meeting on September 12 and not to support the decision.

The Russian parliament's lower house is expected to meet on the day to consider the termination of his powers as a Duma member.

Gudkov declined to give the names of the deputies whom he addressed his letters. The vote result will be the answer, he said.

Gudkov told Itar-Tass on Saturday that his assistants on Friday evening received a copy of Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika's letter to State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin about the legislator's violation of the regulations to exercise the powers and also ethic rules. The Prosecutor General's Office, considering the Investigative Committee's materials, has agreed on the conclusions and believes it is necessary to consider early termination of his powers, as Gudkov cited.

An informed source in the lower house told Itar-Tass that Speaker Sergei Naryshkin had already given instructions to the appropriate committees (for the regulations of the lower house and for security) to take up the issue.

The Investigative Committee on August 6 sent materials to the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Duma on Gennady Gudkov's violation of the set limits for a deputy. Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said the question was one of the legislator's obtaining a stake in the Kolomna Builder company in September 2008 and receiving incomes from the Roshan company. Gudkov refutes the accusations, saying these are witch hunt and non-judicial reprisals of the Prosecutor-General's Office. According to him, the accusations have no connection to entrepreneurship activities.

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