Yakov Stakhov, who served as the Siberian republic's top cop from June 2006 to April 2011, was questioned in February as a suspect in the crime and ordered by a Yakutsk court to remain in the city, regional investigators said Friday in a statement. Stakhov was then ordered to appear in court to face corruption charges on Feb. 24, but fled to Moscow the day before.
Investigators have put Stakhov on an international wanted list.
The embezzled Mercedes in question was a gift to the Interior Ministry from a diamond-mining company, Komsomolskaya Pravda reported earlier this month. But instead of the ministry keeping the car, it was apparently sold to an unnamed Moscow buyer. After it was discovered that the car was missing, it re-appeared at the ministry, but a criminal embezzlement case was opened nonetheless.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
