MOSCOW, October 28 (RAPSI) – Two ex-officials of Russia’s Republic of Dagestan on Monday were sentenced to prison for embezzlement of 41 million rubles (over $640,000), RAPSI reported from Moscow’s Lefortovsky District Court.

A former stand-in chairman of the government of Dagestan Abdusamad Gamidov received 6.5 years behind bars, while a former stand-in deputy prime minister Rayudin Yusufov was given 5.5 years.

The court held that the defendants developed a criminal scheme to steal money and outlined roles; Gamidov had to use his job position to commit the crime.

According to investigators, Gamidov and Yusufov knew that reconstruction of a temporary holding facility for foreigners and people without citizenship is carried out by workers for cash. However, the defendants decided to hold a formal public auction in order to sign a state contract with the company GrandStroy, compile fake work completion certificates and receive an opportunity to transfer money to the company’s bank account for further embezzlement. From 2013 to 2014, they allegedly stole over 41 million rubles.

Gamidov and Yusufov were arrested on February 5, 2018. Searches were conducted at their premises; a gold pistol, two AK-47 Assault Rifles, ammunition and other weapons were seized, the Investigative Committee’s press service reported.