MOSCOW, June 27. /TASS/. Suspension from office is ruled out for the head of the Federal Customs Service Andrei Belyaninov because this option is not foreseen by the current legislation, the Russian President’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"This (suspension from office) is out of the question because the Labor Code does not envisage such a term as "temporary resignation" (suspension - TASS)," he said.
"As far as I know, currently, Belyaninov is not accused of anything and has the status of a witness. That is why it is the investigators who should comment on it," he said.
Peskov also said he could not comment on the situation with the criminal case in which Belyaninov is involved as a witness.
He added that he knows nothing about the letter of resignation the head of the FCS allegedly wrote.
"If this decision (about his resignation) is taken, we will certainly let you know," he said.
Earlier, a source told TASS that during the search in the house of the head of the Russian Federal Customs Service Andrei Belyaninov investigators found about 10 million rubles, $400,000 and 300,000 euros.
At the moment the investigators are identifying the origin and legitimacy of the money. They are verifying the authenticity of collectible pens and works of art that were found during the search. Simultaneously, other sources report that the Russian government considered the possibility of the official’s resignation in winter. They also discussed nominations for the post. A spokesman with FCS press service told TASS that they do not have such information.
An official with the FCS said that Belyaninov is on vacation and is not going to resign.