MOSCOW, October 20 (RAPSI) – Prosecutors have approved an indictment in the case against former Vladivostok mayor Igor Pushkarev charged with abuse of office and bribery, according to the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
The case has been forwarded to the Supreme Court for determination of its territorial jurisdiction, the statement reads.
In August, Pushkarev’s detention was extended until November 30.
Pushkarev claims that charges against him are preposterous, and his criminal case is fabricated.
Nevertheless, investigators believe that between 2009 and 2016 Pushkarev «from mercenary or other personal motives» organized the acquisition by «Roads of Vladivostok» of a large volume of construction materials from the group of companies Vostokcement allegedly controlled by his relatives. Construction materials have been allegedly purchased at inflated prices. Pushkarev has received upwards of 75 million rubles ($1.3 million at the current exchange rate) for this.
In total, Vostokcement received over 1.2 billion rubles (about $20.6 million) for the delivered construction materials while Pushkarev’s relatives received dividends in the amount of more than 500 million rubles ($8.7 million), according to the Investigative Committee.
Pushkarev has been removed from his post by court order.