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Russian Ex-Mayor Arrested

A view of Blagoveshchensk

The former mayor of the far eastern city of Blagoveshchensk has been arrested for abuse of office and the misuse of state funds four years after having been placed on an international wanted list, the TASS news agency reported Thursday.

Alexander Migulya, who was arrested Tuesday in Russia's Lipetsk region, is accused of taking part in a series of illicit business activities and misspending the city's funds. He is suspected of having ordered the acquisition of a bridge in 2006 that resulted in the illegal spending of more than 46 million rubles ($920,000) of the city's budget, according to TASS.

The accusations against Migulya also include providing businesses with preferential conditions that led the city to lose 200 million rubles ($4 million) in 2005, TASS reported.

Migulya had evaded justice since 2011 and featured on Interpol's wanted list.

The former official is scheduled to return to Blagoveshchensk to face charges.

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