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- Means of action: what threatens the accused in the theft of 168 million from the depository in Sochi
Means of action: what threatens the accused in the theft of 168 million from the depository in Sochi
Alexei Lazarev, executive director of the depository center in Sochi, accused of embezzling about 168 million rubles, is facing up to 10 years of imprisonment, lawyers believe. A criminal case has been opened under the article on theft on a particularly large scale. The suspect was detained at the workplace, the cache with part of the money was found by police officers in the woods. There was $ 600 thousand. On whether the victims will be able to return the money - in the material "Izvestia".
How the money was stolen from the cells
Central District Court of Sochi arrested for two months, the executive director of the Sochi depository center Alexei Lazarev, accused of stealing more than 160 million rubles from safe deposit boxes. This was reported in the joint press service of the courts of the Krasnodar region.
In mid-January 2025, the law enforcement agencies received 18 applications from tenants of safe deposit boxes of LLC "Multifunctional Depository Center", who claimed the theft of their funds. The Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted an inspection and opened a criminal case under the article on theft on a particularly large scale.
Alexey Lazarev
Izvestiya's source said that among the victims, for example, was a Sochi resident who deposited 7.7 million rubles in a safe deposit box for an apartment sale and purchase transaction. When the contract was registered, she discovered that most of the money had been stolen.
The money stored in the safe deposit boxes was most likely stolen during the New Year holidays, the victims speculated.
- The rubber bands and papers were left, and the package was left behind. Somebody's getting high on that money, I'm sure. Either on the islands or somewhere else. He sends his regards," one of the victims, Yuri Korovkin, told Izvestia.
The police seized surveillance tapes, fingerprinted the employees of the depository, and took the management for questioning. It is impossible for outsiders to pass to the depository cells, only some representatives of the staff have access.
The money investigators found in the suspect's stash in the woods
The management of the depository refused to comment on the incident to Izvestia.
- We have nothing happened, I can't give you any information, I'm not aware of any events," said Zhanna Buldakova, General Director of Multifunctional Depository Center LLC.
Law enforcement officers managed to detain a suspect in the theft on Friday, January 17. To the executive director of the Sochi depository center Alexei Lazarev came directly to the office, said in Telegram-channel representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Irina Volk.
Investigators found a cache of the suspect in the woods - there was a part of the money totaling $600 thousand. They were seized.
What threatens the accused, if his guilt is proved?
The Criminal Code does not provide for a minimum threshold of imprisonment under this article, told "Izvestia" lawyer Nikolai Mezentsev. The accused Alexei Lazarev could face up to 10 years in prison.
In addition to the real term, the article of the Criminal Code provides for a penalty in the form of a fine of up to 1 million rubles, added Anna Malafeeva, a lawyer of Lobutev and Partners.
If the defendant assists the investigation, it will be a mitigating circumstance, said lawyer Anastasia Fedyunina.
The attackers stole the property of citizens selectively, probably working on a tip-off, believes Ilya Sherstnev, an expert on operational and investigative activities.
- The person who committed the theft, was aware of the number of the safe deposit box in which the property of citizens is located," he said.
Alisher Makhsumov, a forensic expert of the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization "Rubicon Forensic Center", explained that most of the evidence can be found in the depository.
- On the cells themselves can be revealed traces of fingers of hands, material - when the attacker "worked" in gloves, - he explained. - Traces of burglary tools, if it is a question of opening the cells not standard keys, traces of biology - hair, fragments of skin.
The expert added that the task of criminalists is complicated by the fact that after the criminals had access to the cells of both owners and employees of the depository.
In the course of investigative measures, law enforcement officers may reveal new circumstances, after which charges will be brought under other articles, as well as the alleged accomplices, believes lawyer Daria Koreneva.
Victims have the right to file civil suits for damages, said lawyer Vladimir Shelupakhin. However, they will have to prove the damage incurred, added candidate of economic sciences Razilya Yunusova.
- Depending on what conditions are prescribed in the lease agreement of these cells, if there will be some photos when he invested these funds, but so this property is impersonal, - said the expert.
In addition, victims can expect compensation for moral damages, added Vladimir Shelupakhin. But court practice shows that the amount of compensation is usually 50-60 thousand rubles, emphasized the lawyer.
The depository of the MDC is an equipped room for storing valuables with individual safe deposit boxes located in it.
