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Wing commander of pilot group Strizhi fired

A criminal case was opened against him on charges of bribery

MOSCOW, October 19 (Itar-Tass) — Valery Morozov who was Wing commander of the Russian pilot group "Strizhi" has been fired from the armed forces for being involved in deals incompatible with a status of a Russian officer, Stats-Secretary, Deputy defense minister Nikolai Pankov told Itar-Tass on Friday.

A resolution on the dismissal of Lieutenant-Colonel Morozov was signed by Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, he said. Morozov was dismissed from the military service for reasons discrediting him as an officer - illegal activities incompatible with a status of a Russian officer, Pankov explained.

Since Morozov was fired for reasons discrediting him as a serviceman he has been denied a monetary compensation due to dismissed servicemen, Pankov said.

Speaking to Itar-Tass another representative of the Defense Ministry confirmed that a criminal case was opened against the former Strizhi wing commander on charges of bribery.

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