The key facts
- Former DIA head Andrei Melnikov was sentenced to 4.5 years in a colony, a fine of 900 thousand rubles, and ordered to pay 4.2 billion rubles
- Former DIA deputy head Alexander Popelyukh received four years in the case of embezzling 200 million rubles
- Among the defendants are Eduard Taran, Olga Dolgoleva, and former Deputy Minister of the Novosibirsk Region Natalia Mukhanova
Verdict for the Former DIA Head
The Presnensky Court of Moscow sentenced former head of the Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) Andrei Melnikov to four and a half years in a general-regime colony in the case of fraud on an especially large scale. As one of the participants in the proceedings told TASS, the court also imposed a fine of 900 thousand rubles on him and ordered him to pay 4.2 billion rubles to the injured party. The final punishment was determined by partially adding up the terms.
Verdict for Popelyukh
Former deputy head of the agency Alexander Popelyukh received four years of imprisonment in the case of embezzling 200 million rubles. His case was considered under a special procedure, under which the punishment cannot exceed two-thirds of the maximum term.
The Essence of the Case
The criminal case is connected with machinations around the property of a Novosibirsk water park, which was under the bankruptcy administration of the DIA after bankruptcy. Earlier, Life.ru reported, citing lawyer Nikita Filippov, that the charges against Melnikov concerned the operation of the 'Aquamarine' water park and the embezzlement of about 4 billion rubles. In addition to Melnikov and Popelyukh, the defendants in the case are former officials, entrepreneurs, and a bankruptcy trustee, including Olga Dolgoleva, head of 'RATM Holding' Eduard Taran, and former Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Novosibirsk Region Natalia Mukhanova.
Additional Episode
The investigation also established another alleged episode of fraud related to the bankrupt company 'VDT Stroy'. The money received from the use of its property was supposed to be directed toward repaying debts, but, according to law enforcement, members of the criminal group distributed the funds among themselves.
The Defense's Position
At the stage of presenting the charges, Melnikov's lawyer Nikita Filippov called the accusations unfounded. Melnikov was in custody in the 'Lefortovo' pre-trial detention center, and his lawyers intended to appeal the decision on his arrest.
