Ex-head of Kirov region will be reimbursed more than 8 million rubles for defense expenses

The state will reimburse the former governor of Kirov region, Nikita Belykh, more than Br8 million for the costs of the lawyer in a criminal case on abuse of power. This was reported by his lawyer Dmitry Kudryavtsev on Wednesday, January 29.

"Yes, the court ordered to compensate the costs of the lawyer in the amount of 8 million 82 thousand rubles," TASS reports his words.

The lawyer explained that if Belykh receives compensation, it will be automatically directed to repay his fine of 48 million rubles for taking a bribe.

Bribe of 50 mln: ex-head of Fonbet Sergey Anokhin detained in Moscow

The bookmaker's press service said the businessman left his post as CEO in January

Belykh had been in charge of the Kirov region since 2009. In the summer of 2016, he was detained in a Moscow restaurant while receiving a €150,000 bribe from Kirov businessmen. After the detention and arrest, the official was sent to resign. He was sentenced by the Presnensky Court of Moscow in February 2018.

In July 2021, a criminal case was opened against the ex-deputy under part 2 of article 286 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Exceeding official powers by a person holding a public office of the Russian Federation"). However, the court acquitted Belykh because of the expiration of the statute of limitations of the crime. Thus, the proceedings on the case of abuse of power were terminated. He was also recognized the right to rehabilitation.

On June 21, 2024, Belykh, previously sentenced to eight years in prison, was released from SIZO-1 in Kirov and returned to Perm.