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Lawmaker denies violations in getting service apartment in Moscow

The mass media alleged that Yarovaya had been living in an undeclared apartment in central Moscow worth over two million dollars

MOSCOW, March 13 (Itar-Tass) – Head of the committee for security and combating corruption under the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament Irina Yarovaya /United Russia faction/ denied any violations in the issue concerning her apartments.

"I can only say that whatever concerns the legal requirements, I've always met them and always will," Yarovaya told reporters in comments on the mass media reports that she had illegally got a service apartment in "lawmaker's house" in Olof Palme Street despite having other housing in Moscow.

The mass media alleged that Yarovaya had been living in an undeclared apartment in central Moscow worth over two million dollars. The lawmaker and her spokesperson Oleg Zhdanov denied the allegation.

"Irina Anatolyevna is a top United Russia functionary, chairwoman of the State Duma committee for security and combating corruption and coordinator of the patriotic platform, it would seem odd if there were no attempts to defame her," Zhdanov said, "those who prepared the report knew very well that they were giving unauthentic information, especially concerning the price. They are well aware that the price is six times lower than that indicated in the reports. Also, lawmaker Yarova must declare her property in accordance within the law, her husband and underage children, whereas the apartment belongs to her daughter who has come of age. "So there are no breaches of law here, and no reasons to offer excuses," Zhdanov said in an interview to "Kommersant FM."

Yarovaya repeatedly called the reports "a dirty insinuation," and said the smear campaign had been launched by her ill-wishers.

She also said she could only sympathize with her ill-wishers who had launched the unprincipled smear campaign against her. "Their efforts were in vain," she said stating "I can only say that my position will not change and continue to be tough and principled."

Her colleagues stood up for her. "There are no signs of violations of the requirements for lawmakers to declare incomes and property," United Russia faction leader Vladimir Vasilyev told Echo Moscow radio on Tuesday.

Vasilyev called for refraining from making hasty accusations. "I'd recommend those who are in a hurry to call names, to wait till all the circumstances have been clarified," he said.