The father of a Russian smuggling suspect wanted by the United States has stepped down from his governor’s post in Siberia, a decree on the Kremlin website said Thursday.
Alexander Uss, 68, was appointed by President Vladimir Putin as acting head of the Krasnoyarsk region in 2017 and elected governor in 2018.
He is the father of entrepreneur Artyom Uss, 40, who was one of five Russians detained in Italy at the request of the United States in 2022.
Washington accuses the Russian nationals of illegal schemes to export U.S. military technology to Russia, bank fraud and sanction-breaching oil shipments from Venezuela.
Soon after their arrest in Italy last fall, Russia demanded Uss’ extradition on separate charges of fraud.
The younger Uss escaped house arrest in March one day after an Italian court approved his extradition.
He fled the country using an elaborate escape plan that involved a fake passport and a private jet. Italian media has reported that Uss was likely aided by Russia’s secret services.
On Thursday, the younger Uss’ name disappeared from the Russian Interior Ministry’s database of wanted persons.
Later that day, the Kremlin announced that the elder Uss had resigned as governor of the Krasnoyarsk region.
Putin appointed Mikhail Kotyukov, who had served as Russia’s science and higher education minister between 2018 and 2020, as acting governor in his place.
Uss' replacement — one of several that Putin has carried out in recent months — comes ahead of regional elections in September.
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.
