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Russian investigators deny reports on Kirov governor case legality check

The investigative committee spokesman says such reports are attempts to influence the course of the probe

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin on Wednesday denied media reports on the check of legality of the criminal case against Kirov Region governor Nikita Belykh.

"Reports on holding a check of legality of procedural decisions [on initiating a criminal case] regarding Belykh are untrue," Markin said.

"Clumsy attempts to influence the course of investigation of the criminal case against Nikita Belykh continue: starting from illiterate statements on the part of lawyers who are poorly familiar with Russia’s Criminal Procedural Code, theatrical gestures by liberal movement activists.. ending with today’s injection of misinformation from some ‘sources in investigative bodies’ who reported that allegedly ‘the Main Organizational-Inspectoral Department of Russia’s Investigative Committee started a check of materials used to initiate the criminal case against the Kirov Region governor,'" he said.

Markin said the only true source in the case may be an official representing the institution addressing the criminal case.

He added that the legality of criminal case initiation and the selection of the measure of restraint regarding Belykh have been checked by the Basmanny Court, and the Moscow City Court upheld the ruling today.

The governor was detained June 24 in one of Moscow’s restaurants on suspicion of accepting a bribe. According to the Investigative Committee, Belykh, personally and via an intermediary, received overall 400,000 euros.

Investigators said that for the money, the governor pledged to two regional enterprises - the Novovyatsky Ski Plant and the Forestry Management Company - his patronage and loosening of control on the part of the regional government.

Belykh was charged with receiving a particularly big bribe. On June 25, he was arrested for two months. On July 6, the Moscow City Court will check the legality of his arrest. The governor has not admitted his guilt saying the money was donations from sponsors for city improvement.