PM Mishustin dismisses head of communications watchdog Zharov

MOSCOW, Mar 24 (PRIME) -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has dismissed Alexander Zharov, director of the Federal Service for Communications, IT, and Mass Communication Oversight, from his post, the government said in a ruling published on its website late on Monday.

“To dismiss Alexander Alexandrovich Zharov from the position of director of the Federal Service for Communications, IT, and Mass Communication Oversight at his own request,” the ruling read.

In February, Vedomosti business daily reported that Zharov may join Gazprom-Media and be replaced at the service by Andrei Lipov, head of the president’s information and communications technology department. The service and Gazprom-Media declined to comment then.

Zharov was a deputy communications and mass media minister in 2008–2012, and has been the service’s director since 2012.

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