Former senior Federal Drug Control official Alexander Bulbov got off with a three-year suspended sentence for fraud and abuse of office Tuesday, but his problems are not over yet because another investigation is ongoing.
The Moscow City Court convicted Bulbov of illegally receiving 670,000 rubles ($21,300) in pension payments from the Federal Security Service and of illegally providing car passes granting immunity from traffic police to his acquaintances, the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
The trial, which opened Monday, was fast-tracked because Bulbov pleaded guilty, apparently under "severe pressure" from the authorities, one of his former lawyers told Kommersant on Monday.
Meanwhile, an investigation into whether Bulbov illegally wiretapped government officials has been extended until April 7, the committee said.
Bulbov has said the cases against him were fabricated by the Federal Security Service as revenge for his investigation into the Tri Kita furniture store, which he accused of smuggling goods through storage facilities owned by the FSB.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
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 every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.