Former head of the Russian Defense Ministry's personnel department sentenced to 12 years for taking an 80 million ruble bribe

The former head of the Russian Defense Ministry's personnel department was sentenced to 12 years for taking an 80 million ruble bribe

Yury Kuznetsov was also fined 125.4 million rubles, TASS reports.

The court stripped Kuznetsov of the military rank of “reserve lieutenant general” and of state awards, and confiscated a house and land plot in Krasnodar Krai. His property — bank accounts, a car, silver epaulettes, a sword, more than 120 million rubles, almost 500,000 dollars, and 374,000 euros — has been seized until the fine is paid.

Businessman Lev Martirosyan, found guilty of giving the bribe, was given 10 years and 8 months. He must also pay a fine of 62.6 million rubles.

The court established that Kuznetsov received a bribe from Martirosyan during the conclusion of a 305 million ruble contract with the Krasnodar Higher Military School for the provision of hotel services. In exchange for assistance in obtaining this state contract, Martirosyan bought and registered in the general's wife's name a land plot in Krasnodar for 12.5 million rubles and a house built on it worth 67.6 million rubles.

Both denied their guilt. The trial was held behind closed doors.

Photo: TASS

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