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Putin informed about detention of Russian Udmurtia region head

Russian Investigative Committee says Udmurtia’s head suspected of receiving bribes totaling $2.5 mln

Alexander Solovyov Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

Alexander Solovyov

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

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MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed about the detention of Alexander Solovyov, head of the Republic of Udmurtia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.

"Of course, the president has been informed," Peskov said.

According to earlier reports, head of the Republic of Udmurtia Alexander Solovyov was detained by law enforcement officers, a criminal case has been launched under Article 285 of the Russian Criminal Code (abuse of power). Sources told TASS that Solovyov had been sent to Moscow while his place of residence was being searched.

Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case against Alexander Solovyov over receiving bribes totaling 140 mln rubles (roughly $2.5 mln), the committee’s spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko told TASS.

"The Russian Investigative Committee’s Main Department on the investigation of significant cases has initiated a criminal case against the head of the Republic of Udmurtia, Alexander Solovyov, under Article 290.6 of the Russian Criminal Code (major bribe received by a state official)," Petrenko said.

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"According to investigators, in 2014-2016, Soslovyov received bribes totaling 139 mln rubles (roughly $2.47 mln) from companies involved in construction of bridges over the Kama River and the Bui River near the Kambarka town in the Republic of Udmurtia. Besides, he also received a commercial company’s share worth 2.7 mln rubles (roughly $48,000)," the Investigative Committee’s spokesperson elaborated. "In return for that, Solovyov was expected to ensure the immediate allocation of money from the federal and regional budgets to pay for the construction work as well as provide licenses on the geological survey of the area, sand mining and sand gravel production.

Petrenko added that Solovyov had been brought to Moscow so that he could participate in investigative activities. "In the near future, investigators plane to bring charges against him and apply for a remand."

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