Several top officials detained in Russia's Chelyabinsk over alleged abuse of office

Several senior officials in the Chelyabinsk Region of Russia have been detained as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into abuse of office connected to the construction of a health resort.

According to law enforcement sources cited by Russian media, former Vice Governor Alexander Bogashov was detained in Chelyabinsk by officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

Alongside Bogashov, authorities also detained Roman Menzhinsky, who serves as the governor's chief of staff and head of the regional government, and Eldar Belousov, the regional minister of property.

The officials are being investigated under Part 3 of Article 286 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to abuse of authority.

The preliminary findings of the investigation suggest that the suspects oversaw the unlawful construction of a health complex on the premises of the Chelyabinsk Region governor’s residence. The facility was reportedly built through a construction company affiliated with the officials and cost over 50 million rubles.

Law enforcement officers noted that a fictitious system of documentation had been created to support the project.

Searches are currently underway at the residences and workplaces of the suspects. Authorities are now considering what preventive measures to impose.