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Former Tuva senator set to prove his innocence

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MOSCOW, January 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Former Tuva senator Sergei Pugachyov, accused of misusing a large sum of money, is set to prove his innocence and plans to return to Russia one day, his lawyer said.

"Pugachyov denies his gilt and intends to prove his cause," lawyer Alexander Gofshtein told reporters on Wednesday.

The lawyer said his client "does not intend to lose his connection to Russia and that he plans to return to his native country." However, he declined to tell when Pugachyov might come back.

Earlier on Wednesday, Moscow's Basmanny court ruled not to arrest Pugachyov, beneficiary of the bankrupt Mezhprombank, accused of misusing 32 billion roubles.

Judge Natalya Mushnikova, citing the court's resolution, said the investigator's petition urging Pugachyov's arrest was turned down because of violation of norms of the Criminal Procedure Code in bringing charges against the ex senator.

It was a second review of the petition. Earlier, the Basmanny court met the investigator's demand, but the Moscow City Court overruled the decision and ordered a new review.

Pugachyov is accused under Article 33, Part 3 and Article 160, Part 4 of Russia's Criminal Code /misappropriation or squandering of funds by organized group in an especially large amount/, which envision a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.

The Central Bank of Russia revoked Mezhprombank's license on October 5, 2013. The Arbitration Court announced it bankrupt on November 7, 2013. As of the time of license revocation, Mezhprombank was listed among Russia's top 30 banks.

Mezhprombank was established in 1992.

On December 2, 2013, the Deposit Insurance Agency which is Mezhprombank's bankruptcy supervisor, filed a 75-billion-rouble suit with Moscow's Arbitration Court against the bank administration and bank owner Pugachyov.

Pugachyov represented Tuva at the Federation Council upper house of the Russian parliament from December 24, 2001 through early January 2011, when head of the republic Sholban Kara-ool issued a decree terminating his FC commission.

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