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Police arrest fourth suspect in Chelyabinsk region 28-million-rouble fraud case

A court arrested him for two months; he has been charged with grand fraud by an organized group

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

YEKATERINBURG, December 5 (Itar-Tass) — Police arrested the fourth suspect in the 28-million-rouble fraud case involving the former Chelyabinsk region healthcare minister, spokesman for the regional department of the Federal Security Service Stanislav Neginsky told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

The fourth suspect is Vladimir Voloshin, director of two commercial medical firms, IncoMed and MedPrime.

"A court arrested him for two months; he has been charged with grand fraud by an organized group," Neginsky said.

The press service of Chelyabinsk's Leninsky district told Tass that according to the investigator’s information, the firms had been set up for bidding at state procurements tenders; one of these firms had won such a tender.

In late October, three suspects were detained within the criminal case, the then HealthCare Minister of the Chelyabinsk region Vitaly Teslenko, a deputy chief doctor of the Kisgach recreation centre, an aide to governor of the Chelyabinsk region Ivan Sorokun and chief doctor of regional hospital # 4 Mikhail Shukhovtsev.

They were taken in custody for two months. The officials are accused of grand fraud.

According to the investigator, these persons took "a kickback" to the tune of 28 million roubles when signing a state contract. They were caught red-handed when taking part of the money which the investigators said was stolen from the budget.

Police searched Teslenko's house seizing 21 million roubles, 30,000 U.S. dollars, 4,000 euros, and 1,200 yuans. Also, they confiscated collector's gold and platinum coins and many pieces of jewelry.

The minister was later relieved of his duties.

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