MOSCOW, December 28 (RAPSI) – Investigation into the former governor of Russia’s Mari El Republic Leonid Markelov charged with taking bribes has been completed.

The case has been forwarded to prosecution for approving the indictment, the statement reads.

Other defendants in the case are Markelov’s deputy Iraida Dolgusheva and CEO of Telecompany 12 Region Natalya Kozhanova. 

Investigators believe that Markelov has received a 235-million-ruble bribe (about $4 million) from the founder of Akashevskaya factory Nikolay Krivash for patronage and assistance in the property payment of funds provided by the state support for development of the agricultural complex. The bribe has been allegedly given through Kozhanova. The woman has been charged with mediation in bribery and placed in detention as well.

Markelov is also charged with illegal purchase and possession of ammunition.

Dolgusheva, according to case papers, supplied intentionally false information from the republic’s Agriculture Ministry on behalf of Krivash, resulting in receiving of bribes by Markelov.

Krivash absconded the investigative agencies. However, investigators brought charges against him and put on the wanted list.

In mid-November, the Moscow City Court upheld extension of detention for Markelov until January 13.

In early October, the defendant’s attorney Igor Trunov told RAPSI that Markelov had complained to the Presidential Council of Human Rights about his detention conditions. 

Moreover, he has filed a complaint against torture custodial circumstances, health problems and impossibility to communicate with family members with the Prosecutor General’s Office. The former official has also reported moral pressure put by investigators to extract a confession, according to the lawyer.  The defendant was also going to lodge an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Trunov said.