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SK finishes investigation into Moscow region 3.5 billion-rouble theft

Three suspects are now reading the criminal case materials, other members of the criminal group are on the Interpol wanted list

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, November 13 (Itar-Tass) — The Investigative Committee /SK/ has finished the probe against three suspects in the case over the theft of 3.5 billion roubles in the Moscow region.

"The investigation against former deputy regional Finance Minister Vladimir Nosov, former director general of the Moscow Region Trust Company Vladislav Telepnev and NES-Finance company economist Yelena Kuznetsova has been completed," SK spokesman Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

"They are accused of fraud, money laundering and abetting budget squandering in an especially large amount," Markin said.

Criminal proceedings against them were pooled from the case against former regional Finance Minister Alexei Kuznetsov and other persons.

In the period from November 2005 through November 2008, the defendants, together with other members of the criminal group led by Kuznetsov, acquired debt claiming rights to regional municipalities worth over 3.5 billion roubles, the SK spokesman said.

They re-sold these rights to a commercial bank which demanded the payments of debts. The municipalities had to take loans to pay, and the credit was repaid to the bank from the regional budget, as Kuznetsov had arranged such an opportunity.

The criminal group also stole property of the Mosobltransinvest company worth more than seven billion roubles.

Nosov, Telepnev and Kuznetsova are now reading the criminal case materials.

"Alexei Kuznetsov, his wife Zhanna Bullakh /who is head of the RIGrupp company/ and other members of the criminal group are on the Interpol wanted list," Markin said.

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