MOSCOW, December 18 (RAPSI) - Sergei Ostrovsky, Chief Engineer of State Design Institute for Special Construction, which took part in the construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, will go on trial on charges of embezzlement, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told journalists on Friday.
Investigation against Ostrovsky has been finished, an andictment has been filed with court, Markin said.
Ostrovsky was arrested in November 2014. He is suspected of being involved in an embezzlement scheme during the construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome that resulted in billions of rubles in damages. Investigators claim that the money was stolen as part of Dalspetsstroy’s activity, a major contractor in the construction.
Ostrovsky pleads not guilty.
The construction of the space center, due to become Russia's main launch site, began in 2012. The facility is planned to be completed in 2016. The first manned mission is scheduled for 2018.