Russia’s Krasnoyarsk minister held in $1 million bribery probe

Russian authorities have detained Maxim Yegorov, the former governor of Tambov region, on suspicion of receiving bribes totalling around 80 million roubles (approximately $1.04 million).

The Russian Investigative Committee said that between 2022 and 2024, Yegorov allegedly accepted regular bribes in the form of cash, property, and other illicit benefits from Roman Stefanov, the director of Gazprom Gas Distribution Tambov and Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Tambov.

The total value of the alleged illegal payments is estimated at no less than 84 million roubles ($1.09 million).

As part of the investigation, authorities have seized property belonging to Yegorov and his relatives valued at approximately 130 million roubles ($1.69 million).

Earlier, Mikhail Zaskalko, the Minister of Construction and Housing in Krasnoyarsk Krai, was placed under house arrest over allegations of exceeding his official powers.

Authorities say Zaskalko knew a residential building for orphans completed in 2022 was unsafe but did not cancel the contract or recover an advance of more than 23 million rubles ($299,000) from the contractor. He is also accused of ordering the construction of a new orphanage and preparing design and cost documents worth 2 million rubles ($26,000), which ultimately failed to meet project and budget requirements.

The alleged damage to the regional budget is estimated at around 25 million rubles ($325,000), and a criminal investigation has been launched.

By Aghakazim Guliyev