MOSCOW, December 27 (RAPSI) – State Duma lawmaker Konstantin Shirshov of the Communist Party pleaded not guilty to fraud charges before the Moscow City Court on Friday, RAPSI reports from the courtroom.

“I plead not guilty and will fight for my innocence during the hearings,” Shirshov said after the indictment was read.

Investigators allege that during the summer of 2011, with the help of his interns, Shirshov attempted to persuade a resident of the Moscow Region to bid on a seat in the State Duma in exchange for EUR 7.5 million. The money apparently would have bought him a place on the federal election list with a guaranteed victory.

Shirshov is currently under restriction notice, and the victim – who has been implicated in another criminal investigation – is being held in detention.  The victim demanded the withdrawal of the judge and prosecutor, but both motions were rejected.