Probe Opened Into Glonass Spending

By The Moscow Times

Dec. 6, 2010

Prosecutor General Yury Chaika said Monday that a "serious and profound" investigation would be conducted into the state's investment into the Glonass navigation system, Russia's answer to U.S. Global Positioning System, after a rocket carrying three Glonass satellites crashed shortly after launch over the weekend.

Shortly after Sunday's loss, President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Chaika and the head of the presidential administration's control department, Konstantin Chuichenko, to investigate whether the money to develop Glonass had been "effectively" spent.

The state has reportedly spent $2 billion over the past 10 years on the system, which was supposed to be complete with 24 operational satellites after the launch of the last three satellites Sunday.

Chaika said the investigation would not last long and any violations would be dealt with "harshly."

Medvedev also ordered Chaika and Chuichenko to send him "suggestions about the responsibility of the individuals complicit with what is going on," according to a statement posted on the Kremlin web site late Sunday.

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