Ten days after a new acting mayor was appointed in the Crimean resort town of Koktebel to replace his predecessor, who was found hanged, the replacement official has been detained by police for accepting a bribe, Russian media reported Tuesday.
Sergei Padyukov was detained by police while accepting a bribe of $4,000, the KrymInform local news agency reported Tuesday, citing an unidentified source in law enforcement agencies.
Padyukov was appointed on Aug. 10 to replace Rostislav Storozhik, who was found hanged in the bathroom of a cottage at a local vacation residence in seemingly suspicious circumstances. Storozhik himself was appointed mayor of Koktebel in April.
One of the most popular resort towns in Crimea, Koktebel is well known as a place of refuge for many famous Russian literary figures.
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.
