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Duma confirms suspect in ‘selling’ positions

Andrei Vostrov, who is head of the engineering-maintenance department, received from two people 1.2 million roubles for as if support in appointing them advisors to the State Duma

MOSCOW, October 31 (Itar-Tass) — Russia’s State Duma confirmed officially that head of the house’s Office suspected of “selling” positions is Andrei Vostrov, who is head of the engineering-maintenance department of the Office.

“We can confirm the person is Andrei Vostrov,” a representative of the State Duma’s PR department told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Itar-Tass reported the police suspect head of the State Duma’s Office of “selling” positions of the office’s advisors, Moscow’s police reported on Wednesday. Investigators say the suspect received from two people 1.2 million roubles for as if support in appointing them advisors to the State Duma’s Office.

“The suspect was detained red-handed on October 30 at about 18:30 in Tverskaya Street,” the police said.

Moscow’s investigators opened a criminal case on the swindle. On November 1, Moscow’s Tverskoy Court will receive a petition from investigation to remand the accused in custody.

If the information about “selling” of positions at the State Duma is confirmed, the swindler should receive a maximum punishment, Chairperson of the State Duma’s committee on security and fighting corruption Irina Yarovaya /United Russia/ said on Wednesday.

“Here, we are speaking about a swindle – a crime, where money is made illegally,” the deputy said. “Because appointments to committees’ offices are not responsibilities of the State Duma’s Office.”

Cases of the kind discredit the very state service, Yarovaya said. “I am convinced that if this information is confirmed, the swindler should receive a maximum punishment.”