A criminal probe has been launched against a Trans-Baikal regional lawmaker over a suspected vehicular hijacking, the regional Investigative Committee branch announced Thursday.
United Russia regional lawmaker Valery Kotelnikov is suspected alongside his 26-year-old son Alexey.
The Investigative Committee stated that the suspects had thrown punches at one a locals citizen before hijacking the vehicle. The father-son duo also allegedly fired shots in the air and toward the vehicle. The vehicle sustained damages amounting to approximately 1 million rubles' ($28,941).
Kotelnikov and his son could face charges under article 162 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to "robbery with violence." Investigators are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.