Ivan Belozertsev

Ivan Aleksandrovich Belozertsev (Russian: Ива́н Алекса́ндрович Белозе́рцев; born 15 September 1958, Baranovo, Oryol Oblast) is a Russian politician who served as governor of the Penza Oblast from 21 September 2015 until 23 March 2021 (and Acting Governor from 25 May 2015 until 20 September 2015).[1] He was elected governor on 13 September 2015, having gained 86.04% (588,265) of the votes. Belozertsev was re-elected in 2020 with a 78.7% share of the vote.

Ivan Belozertsev
Иван Белозерцев
Governor of Penza Oblast
In office
25 May 2015 – 23 March 2021
Preceded byVasily Bochkaryov
Succeeded byNikolay Simonov (acting)
Personal details
Born
Ivan Aleksandrovich Belozertsev

(1958-09-15) 15 September 1958
Baranovo, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Political partyUnited Russia

Belozertsev was Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Penza Oblast in 2012–2015 and head of the Penza regional branch of the party United Russia in 2011–2015.[2] Reserve Colonel.[3]

On 21 March 2021, Belozertsev was detained on suspicion of taking bribes from pharmaceutical company CEO Boris Spiegel, including millions of rubles, a car, and a luxury watch,[4][5] and placed in pre-trial detention until at least 20 May 2021. Large sums of cash, approximately RUB 300 mln, were found in Belozertsev's place of residence shortly after he was detained.[6]

On the same day, a source in the United Russia party told the media that Belozertsev's membership in the party would be suspended if he is found guilty.[7] However, on 22 March, the party suspended his membership.[8]

Belozertsev was fired from his post as governor of the Penza Oblast by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 23 March 2021.[9]

Criminal case

On March 21, 2021, Ivan Belozertsev was detained after searches were carried out at his and his relatives' homes as part of a criminal case on abuse of power. The Investigative Committee confirmed the detention of Ivan Belozertsev in the case of taking a bribe of more than 31 million rubles (part 5 of article 291, part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code) from businessman Boris Shpigel for providing the Biotek group of companies with competitive advantages when concluding government contracts.[10] On March 22, the Basmanny Court of Moscow placed Belozertsev in custody until May 20.[11]

On April 6, 2021, Belozertsev admitted to receiving money from Spiegel, but stressed that they were intended for the election campaign.[12] At the same time, the ex-governor refused to plead guilty to the illegal possession of weapons found in his house during the search, explaining that he had a license.[13]

On May 18, 2021, the Basmanny Court of Moscow granted the request of the investigation and extended the arrest of Ivan Belozertsev for three months (August 20).[14] On August 17, 2021, Belozertsev's arrest was again extended by three months, until November 20.[15] On November 15, the arrest of the former governor was once again extended, this time until February 20, 2022.[16]

References
  1. "Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 25.05.2015 г. № 264". Президент России (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  2. Иван Белозерцев сложил полномочия секретаря пензенского отделения «Единой России»
  3. Официальный сайт партии «Единая Россия»
  4. "Russian Regional Governor, A Strong Putin Supporter, Held On Graft Charges". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. "Следствие считает, что полученная Белозерцевым взятка включала дорогие часы и автомобиль". ТАСС. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  6. "Главу Пензенской области Ивана Белозерцева заподозрили в получении взяток от Бориса Шпигеля Это создатель компании-лидера по поставкам лекарств от COVID-19 и бывший продюсер певца Николая Баскова". meduza.io. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  7. "Членство Белозерцева в "Единой России" приостановят в связи с уголовным делом". ТАСС. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  8. ""Единая Россия" приостановила членство губернатора Пензенской области Белозерцева в партии". Тасс. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  9. "Губернатора Пензенской области уволили в связи с утратой доверия. Его подозревают во взятках". meduza.io. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  10. Губернатора Пензенской области задержали по делу о взятке, 21 марта 2021
  11. Суд арестовал губернатора Пензенской области по делу о взятке
  12. Белозерцев признался в получении 20 млн рублей от Шпигеля
  13. Белозерцев отказался признать вину в незаконном хранении оружия
  14. Пензенскому экс-губернатору Белозерцеву продлили арест по делу о взятке
  15. Экс-губернатору Ивану Белозерцеву продлили арест на три месяца
  16. Суд в Москве продлил арест Белозерцеву по делу о взятке
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