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Two more suspects in theft of Russian natural gas put on wanted list

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the investigation

© Sergey Bobylev/TASS

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee has put on a wanted list two other suspects in a criminal case into embezzling gas owned by Gazprom to the tune of over 30 billion rubles ($457.5 mln), IC’s Spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko told TASS on Wednesday.

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"As part of criminal investigation into the theft of natural gas owned by Gazprom to the tune of more than 30 billion rubles the Investigative Committee has put two suspects on a federal wanted list," Petrenko said.

They are Acting Executive Director of Budennovskgazprombytservis Uali Evgamukov and Executive Director of a subsidiary of Gazprom mezhregiongaz Stavropol in Nevinnomyssk Umar Kalmykov, she said.

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the investigation: Rauf Arashukov, a senator from the Karachay-Circassian Region, his father Raul Arashukov, Ruslan Arashukov, Guzer Khashukayev, Nikolai Romanov, Igor Travinov and Alan Kyatov.

Arashukov case

Senator from the Karachay-Circassian Region Rauf Arashukov on January 30 was stripped of immunity and detained at the session of the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council. This was the first such case in the history of Russia’s upper house. He was charged with murder, as well as participating in a criminal group and exerting pressure on a witness.

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The senator, who was arrested until March 30, has pleaded not guilty, calling the criminal case against him politically motivated.

The senator’s father Raul Arashukov is suspected of establishing a criminal group and embezzling gas from Gazprom. The investigators believe that he used his ties to help promote his relatives and acquaintances to various posts in fuel and energy companies in the North Caucasus Federal District. According to investigators, the accomplices signed contracts on supplies of gas to enterprises in the region, which exceeded the real demand.

Raul Arashukov has been convoyed to Moscow from St. Petersburg. In 2002-2011 he served as Director General of Gazprom mezhregiongaz Stavropol and is now an adviser to Director General of Gazprom mezhregiongaz. The investigation is expected to last until April 24.

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