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Two suspects of GLONASS programme funds theft detained - newspaper

The embezzlement sum is worth 460 million roubles ($9.85 million)

MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. Two suspects of embezzling funds of the GLONASS (Global Satellite Navigation System) federal target programme have been detained, the Izvestia daily writes on Saturday. The embezzlement sum is worth 460 million roubles ($9.85 million).

According to the publication, the first detainee Roman Martynenko, director of the SpetsMonolit company that performed the work for the construction of the GLONASS system control centre in Korolev outside Moscow was charged with fraud in an organised group under Article 159 part 4 of the Russian Criminal Code.

The second detainee is owner of the Verny Consulting firm Dmitry Belitsky. He is charged with legalisation of criminal proceeds (Article 174 part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code).

According to the newspaper, the suspects were detained on Thursday, November 6 for 48 hours. The investigation has requested their arrest and placement into custody.

Previously, charges under the “fraud” article were brought against former first deputy director of TsNIIMASH (Central Research Institute of Machine Building) Dzhorzh Kovkov, head of the TsNIIMASH capital construction department Aleksand Chernov and former director of the special construction department No 5 under the Russian Federal Special Construction Agency (Spetsstroy) Aleksandr Belov.