"Received bribes worth more than 31 million rubles": what is known about the detention of the governor of the Penza region

The Governor of the Penza Region, Ivan Belozertsev, was detained in the case of a bribe in the amount of more than 31 million rubles.

This was reported on the website of the Investigative Committee. 

In addition to the head of the region, Boris Shpigel, head of the BIOTEK group of pharmaceutical companies, and other persons were detained.

The department clarified that, depending on their role, they are all suspected of giving or receiving a bribe under Part 5 of Art.

291 and part 6 of Art.

290 CC.

"According to the investigation, from January to September 2020, Belozertsev received bribes from Spiegel, his wife and director of OJSC" PHARMACY "Anton Koloskov through intermediaries in the form of money and other valuables in the amount exceeding 31 million rubles," the IC said.

Bribes, the department explained, were transferred in exchange for providing the BIOTEK group of companies with competitive advantages when concluding government contracts related to the provision of services for acceptance, quality control and expiration dates, storage, dispensing and delivery of drugs, as well as medical products, purchased at the expense of budgetary funds for the needs of health care institutions in the Penza region.

The Investigative Committee clarified that the houses and workplaces of the detainees were searched.

They will be charged shortly.

Also, the UK will send petitions to the court for the detention of suspects.

The department also published a video of the investigative actions in the governor's office.

The footage shows Belozertsev signing papers in his office, after which a search begins.

A TASS source in law enforcement agencies said that a total of six people were detained within the framework of the case.

He also said that Ivan Belozertsev was being convoyed to Moscow.

No official confirmation of this information has yet been received.

Meanwhile, the governor's press secretary, Dina Cheremushkina, noted that the government of the Penza region continues to work as usual, despite the detention of Belozertsev.

Meanwhile, Yevgeny Revenko, deputy secretary of the United Russia General Council, said that Belozertsev's membership in the party would be suspended in the near future.

He clarified that United Russia has a clear procedure, according to which, upon presentation of an official charge of a crime, party membership is suspended pending a court decision.

If his guilt is confirmed, Belozertsev will be expelled from the party.

“This norm is valid for all, without exception, there are no untouchables.

Membership in the United Russia party and the presence of a party card is an additional responsibility, there is no indulgence for anyone, "Revenko emphasized.

Ivan Belozertsev became the governor of the Penza region in September 2015 following the results of direct elections, in which he received the support of 86.04% of voters.

Prior to that, in May of the same year, he was appointed and.

about.

heads of the region.

On September 13, 2020, he was re-elected to the post - he gained 78.72% of the vote.

The group of companies "BIOTEK", as reported on the official website, was founded in 1991 and is a pharmaceutical holding specializing in the development and production of medicines, nutraceuticals, disinfectants and medical devices.

Recent cases of detention of Russian governors

In July 2020, the governor of the Khabarovsk Territory, Sergei Furgal, was arrested on charges of organizing the murders of entrepreneurs in the Far East in the 2000s.

According to the investigation, the crimes were committed by an organized criminal group in 2004-2005 on the territory of the Khabarovsk Territory and the Amur Region. 

On July 20, 2020, President Vladimir Putin dismissed Furgal due to a loss of confidence.

At the moment, the official is in custody.

The investigation of the case has been completed, the defendants have begun to familiarize themselves with its materials.

In April 2017, it became known about the detention of the head of Udmurtia, Alexander Solovyov.

The Investigative Committee of Russia charged him with two episodes of receiving a bribe.

In October 2020, he was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in a strict regime colony and a fine of 275 million rubles.

On March 18, 2021, the court released him from prison due to illness.