< br />
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, December 26The former governor of the Kirov region, Nikita Belykh, who was serving time for bribes, was released from punishment in a new case of abuse of power, the Oktyabrsky District Court reported.
«The court acquitted Belykh of the first offense — abuse of power (Article 286 of the Criminal Code), and of the second offense — abuse of power (Article 285) — imposed a sentence of imprisonment for 2.5 years and released him from serving the sentence in due to the expiration of the statute of limitations,” the agency’s interlocutor said.
Nevertheless, the former head of the region will not be released yet: his eight-year term has not yet ended.
The criminal case of abuse of power has been heard in the Oktyabrsky District Court of Kirov since July 5, 2022. The state prosecution asked for Belykh 12 years in prison and (with credit for the sentence already served) and a fine of 48 million rubles.
As follows from the indictment, Belykh, as governor, ensured the allocation of 448 million rubles from the regional budget of the Kirov Regional Mortgage Corporation, allegedly for the purchase and construction of official housing. So he tried to create the appearance that “as head of the region he achieved good results.” In reality, the housing did not receive official status and became the subject of collateral for financial obligations.
In addition, Belykh exceeded his official authority and ensured that the mortgage corporation concluded a loan agreement with one of the regional companies for more than 300 million rubles. He then arranged for the funds to be distributed to meet the financial obligations of the various organizations, as well as in pursuance of the unfavorable settlement agreement.
Belykh was detained in June 2016 in one of the Moscow restaurants while handing over part of the bribe. The media published photographs of the confused governor and wads of money in front of him. He was unable to clarify the situation. Shortly after the arrest, President Vladimir Putin removed Belykh from his post with the wording “due to loss of trust.”
In February 2018, the Presnensky Court of Moscow sentenced the former governor to eight years in a maximum security colony and a fine of 48.2 million rubles. He did not admit guilt.