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Criminal case launched against Russia's Syktyvkar mayor — security service

The press service of the Komi department of the federal Security Service refused to clarify what Pozdeyev is suspected of
Syktyvkar, Komi republic ITAR-TASS/Vladimir Smirnov
Syktyvkar, Komi republic
© ITAR-TASS/Vladimir Smirnov

SYKTYVKAR, September 25. /TASS/. Syktyvkar Mayor Ivan Pozdeyev has been detained today, and a criminal lawsuit has been launched against him, Federal Security Service’s department in the Komi Republic told TASS on Friday.

"A lawsuit has been launched against Ivan Pozdeyev. He has been detained, investigative activities are underway," the press service of FSB Komi department told TASS but refused to clarify what Pozdeyev is suspected of.

Searches are underway in Pozdeyev’s house and working place. Pozdeyev has served as Syktykvkar Mayor since January 2011.

As of now, no direct connection has been established between the case of Pozdeyev and the criminal case against Komi Goveror Vyacheslav Gaizer, the source explained.

The criminal case of Vyacheslav Gaizer, the governor of Russia’s Komi Republic, involves billions of rubles, according to Russian Investigation Committee Spokesperson Vladimir Markin. Gaizer is accused of creating a criminal group.

The Russian Investigation Committee department dealing with especially dangerous crimes has charged Vyacheslav Gaizer and his deputy Alexey Chernov with organization of a criminal group and fraud. If found guilty, Gaizer may face up to 20 years in prison.

On September 20, Moscow’s Basmanny court met the investigator’s request to take 15 suspects on the criminal community case into custody until September 18. They include Vyacheslav Gaizer, his deputy Alexey Chernov; Konstantin Romadanov, the deputy chairman of the Komi Republic government; Igor Kovzel, the head of the State Council of the Komi Republic; Yevgeny Samoilov, the former senator from the Komi region, etc. Another suspect Yury Bondarenko has been placed under house arrest.

Gaizer, 48, has been the head of the Komi Republic since 2010. He is a member of the supreme council of the ruling United Russia party.