Russian ex-transport chief faces trial in $8.7K bribery and land fraud scandal
A major corruption case involving the former head of Rosavtotrans' Far Eastern branch has reached court. The 54-year-old Vladivostok resident and three alleged accomplices face charges of bribery, land fraud, and money laundering. Authorities claim the group ran a scheme to illegally obtain hazardous materials transport licences and exploit municipal land. The investigation began after officers from the FSB’s Primorsky Territory directorate uncovered the corruption network. Between 2012 and 2013, the defendants allegedly set up a garage cooperative to buy a plot of land at a fraction of its real value. This formed part of a wider fraud operation.
Prosecutors state that the group also paid over 800,000 rubles ($8,700) in bribes to Rosavtotrans officials. The money was funneled through an intermediary to ensure drivers passed exams for hazardous materials licences without proper checks. The intermediary has already been convicted, while separate criminal proceedings continue against the bribe recipients. Authorities have now filed lawsuits to cancel all fraudulently issued certificates. The case against the former branch head and his accomplices includes charges of large-scale fraud, systematic bribery, and laundering illicit funds.
The completed investigation has led to formal charges against all four defendants. If convicted, they could face severe penalties under Russian law. Prosecutors are also working to reverse the fraudulent land deal and revoke the improperly obtained transport licences.
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