MOSCOW, March 18 (RAPSI) – Denis Labuza, ex-minister for support and development of small businesses, consumer markets and services from Nizhny Novgorod, has received a 5-year suspended sentence for abuse of power and organizing illegal entry of foreigners into the territory of Russia, RIA Novosti reported on Friday.

A court in Nizhny Novgorod also imposed a fine of 300,000 rubles ($4,400) on the former minister and prohibited him from holding positions at state and municipal authority bodies for two years.

According to the case files, Labuza joined an organized group and assisted in execution of documents required for receiving entry visa by foreigners.   Investigators believe that over 3,800 foreigners entered Russia in such a way.

Labuza has pleaded guilty.