MOSCOW, September 11 - RAPSI. The State Duma may consider stripping the "A Just Russia" party Duma lawmaker Gennady Gudkov of his seat in parliament based on illegal business allegations 14 September, the head of State Duma Deputy Speaker and head of the parliament's ruling United Russia party fraction Andrei Vorobyov told reporters Tuesday.

On Monday, the State Duma Commission for Control over the Credibility of State Deputies' Incomes and Expenses confirmed that A Just Russia party State Duma deputy Gennady Gudkov is involved in business activities.

After looking into all the material provided by the Investigative Committee, the Commission concluded that there is sufficient information regarding Gudkov's breach of State Duma deputy legislation and enough grounds to have his powers stripped from him.

The Commission will submit its report to the State Duma chairman, who will raise the issue with the State Duma council, who will make the final decision on the MP.
According to current Russian legislation, deputies are not permitted to be involved in business.

Previously, Alexander Shchukin, head of the Investigative Committee's Investigative Department, disclosed that Gudkov was involved in managing a construction company in Bulgaria.

It was revealed in June that investigators were carrying out an inspection upon the application of Bulgarian citizen Ivaylo Zartov on Gudkov's purported investments in a Bulgarian firm and his alleged tax evasion in Russia. Gudkov said that Zartov had previous convictions in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and was just trying to settle accounts with him.

Additionally, the Interior Ministry looked into the security businesses owned by the Gudkov family and found that a number of violations had been committed here too. Gudkov believes these investigations are connected to his political opposition.

The State Duma was planning to hold a vote on his mandate on September 12, however the meeting has now been postponed.

As most seats are held by United Russia party members, Gudkov has sent letters to 50 United Russia deputies, asking them to vote against stripping him of his mandate. If his mandate is revoked, A Just Russia is ready to appeal against the decision with the Constitutional Court.