Media: Ex-Russian deputy governor may be hiding in Armenia

Vladimir Okunev, the former Deputy Governor of Russia’s Rostov Region and former Minister of Transport, who is wanted on charges of exceeding his official powers, may be hiding in Armenia, regional law enforcement sources have told TASS.

“Okunev could be in Armenia,” a source told the agency.

Earlier, investigators had opened a criminal case against Okunev over allegations of abuse of office and anti-competitive practices.

The Second Department for Investigating Especially Important Cases of the Investigative Committee in Rostov Region has charged Okunev in absentia under Article 286(3)(v) and Article 178(2)(a, v) of the Russian Criminal Code, covering abuse of office and limiting competition.

According to investigators, while leading a state unitary enterprise, Okunev allegedly controlled a rival company through trusted associates, arranging anti-competitive agreements and inflating contract prices for road construction, repair, and maintenance projects.

The estimated damage is around 200 million roubles (approximately 2.6 million US dollars). The case was initiated based on materials from the Rostov branch of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Okunev is now wanted by authorities, with his pre-trial detention being considered. Investigators are also identifying possible accomplices.

On December 24, Moscow’s Gagarinsky District Court seized assets belonging to Okunev, his former deputy Svetlana Shapovalova, and their relatives, totalling over 700 million roubles (around $9.1 million), following a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Okunev headed the state enterprise Rostovavtodor from 2016, led the regional Transport Ministry from 2020, and served as Deputy Governor — Transport Minister from November 2021 until his resignation in April 2024.

By Aghakazim Guliyev