Khabarovsk Krai deputy chairman accused of taking 82 million rubles in bribes

Officials of Khabarovsk region, including Deputy Chairman of the regional government on social issues Yevgeny Nikonov, are accused of taking a bribe in the amount of 82 million rubles. This was announced on Sunday, December 8, by Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia (IC RF) Alexander Bastrykin.

"The investigation has collected evidence confirming that in 2021-2023 Nikonov together with officials of the regional GBU "Far East Center for Drug Supply and Coordination of Medical Organizations" of the Ministry of Health of Khabarovsk region received a bribe of 82 million rubles from the owner of the group of companies," Bastrykin said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to Bastrykin, the money was intended to secure state contracts for the supply of medical equipment in Khabarovsk Krai. Nikonov denies his guilt.

Earlier, on July 31, Nikonov, suspected of abuse of power and taking bribes, was arrested.

The official is also suspected of receiving kickbacks worth 650 million rubles. Six criminal cases, including cases of giving and receiving bribes, are united in one proceeding with Nikonov. The defendant himself does not admit his guilt.

On July 30, the Investigative Committee (IC) of the Russian Federation informed Izvestia that Yevgeny Nikonov became a defendant in the criminal case. At the same time it became known that Nikonov declared an annual income of 5.6 million rubles in 2021.

Evgeny Nikonov from August to December 2020 held the post of Acting Deputy Chairman of the Government of Khabarovsk Krai on social issues. In December of the same year, he became head of this area.