Russian ex-mayor of Columbia Tunkha spoke about his desire to return to Saratov

The former mayor of the Colombian city of Tunja of Russian origin, economist Mikhail Krasnov, would like to return from his hometown of Saratov, but cannot do so due to a written undertaking not to leave amid an investigation into a corruption scandal involving him. Krasnov told Izvestia about this on April 17.

"I would like to go to Russia now, spring has just begun there. I actually, honestly, want to go to Saratov...> Parents, sister, niece, a lot of friends in Saratov. <...> It's just that I still have a written undertaking not to leave, I also can't leave," the politician shared.

The man shared that two criminal cases have been opened against him in Colombia — on the fact of usurpation of power and illegal interest in concluding a contract, as well as because of a multibillion-dollar loan from the previous mayor, whose corruption scheme he revealed. According to Krasnov, he has nothing to do with these crimes.

The ex-mayor noted that the local population treats him warmly. It is possible that with such support, Krasnov could compete not only for the mayor's office, but also for the governor's seat in Colombia.

"In any village, wherever I go, people come out and crowd out to take pictures. Everyone says: "You are our future governor," he said.

Krasnov noted that he wants to leave Colombia because he is tired of living in this country. He expressed the opinion that he would return to his homeland "not at an old age" so that he would have the opportunity to work in Russia.

"To be honest, I'm tired of all this here. <...> I think I could be more useful in Saratov," the politician concluded.

Mikhail Krasnov's victory in the elections in the city of Tunkha with a population of 150,000 people became known on November 3, 2023. Krasnov scored 31.56% of the votes. He told Izvestia that the elections were competitive, while Russian origin did not prevent him from becoming a candidate from the Colombian people, as the residents of the city were tired of the former politicians.

On January 23, 2024, the Colombian Prosecutor General's Office launched an investigation into Mikhail Krasnov, a native of Saratov. On January 25, Krasnov, in an interview with Izvestia, acknowledged this fact and named possible reasons for what was happening.