After choosing a measure of restraint: the vice-rector of the customs academy committed suicide in a pre-trial detention center

Vice-Rector of the Russian Customs Academy (RTA) Zalim Kerefov committed suicide in SIZO No. 1 in Noginsk, Moscow Region.

Kerefov was arrested in early July in a criminal case on the sale of 2 kg of drugs through the darknet. 

The death of Kerefov became known on Monday, July 18, but the guards found his body in solitary confinement on the morning of July 16.

Nearby they found a note in which he repented of the crime he had committed.

“He committed suicide in a pre-trial detention center,” his lawyer Alexei Tsyganov told RT.

- I can only confirm the fact of death, but I can’t say anything about the details, and even more so the witnesses of what happened.

Everything happened after the choice of a measure of restraint in the form of arrest, that is, at the initial stage of the investigation.”

In comments to other media, the lawyer expressed doubts that his client could commit suicide, as he had plans for the future and young children.

Upon the death of Kerefov, a criminal case was initiated on the negligence of officials.

“On July 16, 2022, the body of a person accused of illegal sale of narcotic drugs on a large scale was found in solitary confinement. of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation)," the regional department of the UK said in a statement.

Investigators, together with a forensic specialist, examined the scene, interrogated the SIZO employees, seized job descriptions and a post list, and also appointed forensic, molecular genetic and handwriting forensic examinations.

“A complex of investigative actions is being carried out aimed at identifying the official who committed negligence,” the regional Investigative Committee reported.

In turn, the press bureau of the Moscow Region Department of the Federal Penitentiary Service RT reported that, "according to preliminary data, no signs of violent death were found." 

“Currently, an official check is being carried out in the institution on this fact, the materials of which will be transferred to the investigating authorities,” RT was told in the press bureau.

Detention at work

37-year-old Vice-Rector - Director of the RTA Information Technology Center Zalim Kerefov was detained on July 5 right at his workplace.

During searches, 2 kg of synthetic drugs were confiscated from him.

According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, he purchased them, packaged them in smaller batches and began selling them via the darknet.

The FSB noted that Kerefov administered five online drug stores from his work computer.

He coordinated the work of couriers on packaging and layout, discussed with buyers the size and cost of doses.

According to the department, the Vice-Rector has been engaged in illegal activities since 2020.

The vice-rector's clients were also three employees of the RTA: the vice-rector for financial and economic issues, the head of the student relations department and an employee of the documentary support department.

During searches in the laboratory, offices of employees and the homes of suspects, 62 kg of mephedrone, 750 liters of drug-containing liquid, precursors and high-tech equipment were seized.

On July 6, Kerefov was charged under paragraph "d" part 4 of Art.

228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal sale of drugs on a large scale).

The sanction of the article provides for punishment from 10 to 20 years in prison.

The Lyubertsy City Court of the Moscow Region arrested Kerefov until September 5.

In addition, on July 7, the organizer of a drug laboratory was detained, where the vice-rector of the RTA allegedly purchased drugs. 

Zalim Kerefov before taking office as director of the Scientific and Technical Center for Informatics, Communications and Communication Systems of the RTA was acting.

In 2015, he participated in the elections of deputies of the Council of Deputies of the urban settlement of Tomilino, Lyubertsy municipal district.

He was nominated from the regional branch of the Liberal Democratic Party.

At that time, he worked at the People Against Corruption LLC as the head of the information technology department.

According to media reports, Kerefov is divorced.

He left four apartments in Moscow to his ex-wife, and presented a Jaguar car to his new lover.

Now on the RTA website there is no information about Kerefov and his colleagues who have become defendants in the criminal case.