MOSCOW, November 9 (RAPSI) – Prosecutors have demanded to extend detention of former Vladivostok mayor Igor Pushkarev charged with abuse of office and bribery until February 28, RAPSI reports from the Supreme Court of Russia on Thursday.

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 1.3 billion rubles (about $22 million) for the delivered construction materials while Pushkarev’s relatives received dividends in the amount of more than 500 million rubles ($8.5 million), according to the Investigative Committee.

Pushkarev has been removed from his post by court order. Later, he filed in resignation.