MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI) – The number of applications filed with the office of the Moscow Business Ombudsman between March and June has increased fivefold as compared to a similar period of the previous year.

According to the city’s Business Rights Commissioner Tatiana Mineyeva, most complaints concern illegal criminal prosecution. There are 1,200 people in Moscow’s detention facilities, and the number is rising, the ombudsman said Tuesday as part of a preview of the Business Drive Forum.

She noted that many criminal cases were initiated because of lack of legal knowledge and added that a pro bono legal aid institution was opened in her office to freely consult businessmen.