Zabaykalleshoz head detained for embezzling funds allocated to fight forest fires

The state institution had concluded an agreement with an entrepreneur working in the forest industry, under which he had undertaken to extinguish fires. For this service, he received about 1.5 million rubles ($22,410), but it was not actually rendered.

In Transbaikalia, the head of the state institution and his subordinate have been detained on suspicion of embezzling budgetary money, the press service of the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs Directorate reports. According to RIA Novosti’s sources in law enforcement bodies, it concerns Head of Zabaykalleshoz, Andrey Remezov. The local news portal ZAB.RU confirms this information citing its sources. 

According to the message of the regional MIA, the detainees are suspected of involvement in a fraudulent scheme of embezzlement of budget funds allocated to fight forest fires. 

According to the investigation, the state institution had concluded an agreement with an entrepreneur working in the forest industry, under which he had undertaken to extinguish fires. The businessman received 1.5 million rubles from the budget, but the service was never provided.

A criminal case of Swindling on an Especially Large Scale (part 4 of Art. 159 of the Russian Criminal Code) has been initiated. The suspects have been placed in a temporary containment cell. All episodes of possible illegal activity are being established.

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