MOSCOW, January 20 (RAPSI, Yevgeniya Sokolova) – Former vice-president of the bankrupt First Czech-Russian Bank, Dmitry Merkulov, has been charged with embezzlement of 2 billion rubles ($34 million) committed by an organized gang, the Basmanny District Court’s spokesperson Yunona Tsareva told RAPSI on Friday.

The accused has been put in detention until March 17.

Reportedly, Merkulov is accused of signing two contracts on the sale of the bank’s assets. The raised funds had to plug the assets hole, but did not arrive in the accounts.

According to Kommersant newspaper, the deals were concluded shortly before the bank management’s removal from their posts.

Merkulov acted as the First Czech-Russian Bank’s vice-president just two weeks. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

The First Czech-Russian Bank become known after it had granted a loan to the French national front headed by Marine Le Pen.