Putin Fires Regional Governor Gaizer Citing 'Loss of Confidence'

By The Moscow Times

Oct. 1, 2015

Russian President Putin in a meeting with governor of the republic of Komi Kremlin Press Service

Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired the governor of the northwest Russian republic of Komi, citing "loss of confidence" in the disgraced official who has been arrested on charges of fraud, a Kremlin spokesman said Wednesday.

The Russian president has signed a decree dismissing Vyacheslav Gaizer, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday, Russian media reported.

Gaizer will be replaced by a former chief of Olympstroy State Corporation, Sergei Gaplikov, Meduza news portal reported.

Olympstroy develops and builds Olympic venues, including a mountain resort developed for last year's Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

Gaizer was arrested earlier this month and charged with fraud and organizing a criminal group aimed at embezzling state assets.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue