UPDATE 2: Russian Federal Customs Service head Belyaninov resigns

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MOSCOW, Jul 28 (PRIME) -- Andrei Belyaninov, head of Russia’s Federal Customs Service, has resigned, according to a government’s statement published on Thursday.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev appointed Vladimir Bulavin, former envoy to the Northwest Federal District, as the new director of the customs authority.

Earlier this week, Belyaninov was interrogated by investigators as a witness in a criminal case of smuggling large amounts of alcohol.

Medvedev told Bulavin that the customs system has accumulated a lot of problems. “The system is large, complex, it has been developing over the last several years, there were achievements and many problems as well. I hope that you will be able to show your best qualities in these issues.”

The customs service works as usual despite the resignation of its head, its official representative told PRIME. “We are working like we used to, there is no information regarding a new director.”

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