The deputy head of the Federal Customs Service agreed to testify only after presenting evidence.

Elena Yagodkina, Deputy head of the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of the Russian Federation, accused in the case of fraud with excise stamps, said she would testify only after the prosecution presented evidence. This was reported on May 5 by a correspondent of Izvestia.

"I would like to give more detailed explanations regarding the charges after the prosecution presents the evidence," Yagodkina said, answering a question from the judge after the indictment was announced.

The Tagansky District Court of Moscow is considering the criminal case against Yagodkina, and she has been charged with abuse of office (paragraph "b" of Part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). A similar crime is attributed to Yagodkina's subordinates, the deputy heads of the Central Excise Customs of the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation.

According to investigators, the case is not related to the position occupied by Yagodkina at the moment. In 2018-2019, officials issued excise stamps to two companies that owed debts to customs. This resulted in the non-payment of taxes and fees to the budget by 1.2 billion rubles.

The key to business: how families of officials seize assets in the regions

The creation of "clan" holdings, the bankruptcy of large enterprises and the withdrawal of money are an incomplete list of commercial techniques of local elites.

Yagodkina's detention became known on March 26, 2024. It was reported that after the working meeting, she was taken to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, and her office was searched. The next day, the investigation requested her arrest. She was charged with abuse of office. Yagodkina pleaded not guilty.