Spox: Russia’s Putin aware of bribery case against Renova execs

MOSCOW/YEKATERINBURG, Sep 13 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has all necessary information about a bribery case against executives of power producer T Plus, part of multi-industry holding Renova Group, and former officials of the Komi Republic, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday.

“In this case the president certainly has all necessary information, what is more from different sources,” Peskov said.

Yevgeny Olkhovik, a shareholder of Renova Group and chairman of T Plus’ board of directors, and T Plus CEO Boris Vainzikher were recently arrested for two months over a bribery case in the Komi Republic.

According to the Investigative Committee’s official representative Vladimir Markin, in 2007–2014, the former and current top executives of IES Holding, which has been reorganized into T Plus, gave bribes to officials in the Komi Republic for setting the best prices for heat and electric power and providing other incentives. The total sum of bribes exceeded 800 million rubles and a criminal case had been opened.

Billionaire businessman Viktor Vekselberg, chairman of Renova Group’s board of directors, said Tuesday the company will provide support to all executives involved in T Plus’ bribery case in the Komi Republic.

“I will not comment on actions of investigators. We have prepared documents to submit to the government and relevant ministries so they can get acquainted with the company’s operations in regions, including in the Komi Republic. We are confident that we will provide support to colleagues. I believe that investigators will sort things out and make a right decision,” Vekselberg said.

(65.0539 rubles – U.S. $1)

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