08 June 2004 01:30
Republican minister who defied Putin`s order to quit fined for corruption
[Presenter] The Supreme Court of Kalmykia passed sentence today on the republic's former interior minister, who
was accused of corruption. The case got off to a sensational start. Gen Sasykov was handcuffed in the middle of a
conference at the ministry. Now, as a finale, he has been fined R200,000 [roughly 4,000 pounds sterling]. Andrey
Medvedev has the details.
[Correspondent] The sentence on the former interior minister of Kalmykia [words indistinct] several hours. The court
found him guilty on two counts, abuse of office and forgery of an official document. The ex-minister will have to pay a
fine of R200,000 for these crimes.
It should be recalled that the Timofey Sasykov case began with the general's sensational arrest at a police
conference in Nalchik. The main charge against Sasykov was abuse of office, namely illegal allocation of housing built
for police personnel out of budget money. Furthermore, senior Interior Ministry officials at various levels claimed that
the Kalmyk police were actively covering up the illegal activities of underground oil refineries and the poaching of
valuable sturgeon species. After a number of investigations carried out at the republican ministry, Timofey Sasykov was
dismissed. The decree firing him was signed by the president of Russia. But the Kalmyk minister did not obey this
decree, continuing to exercise his powers and to occupy his office. He was arrested when he travelled to a
conference.
[Vladimir Vasilyev, Russian deputy interior minister from 2001 to 2003, filmed in Moscow in May 2003] Basically
Sasykov remained in his office. He ostentatiously demonstrated that he did not intend to leave it. He harshly demanded
that his subordinates obey his orders.
[Correspondent] However, Timofey Sasykov was not kept long in the remand prison. He was released after signing an
undertaking not to abscond. He reported to the prosecutor's office as soon as he was ordered to. He does not regard
himself as guilty of anything.
[Timofey Sasykov, Kalmyk interior minister from 1999 to 2003] From the outset there was no basis for serious charges.
They were all trumped up. I am glad I insisted on a trial. Last year, during the investigation, they offered to
terminate all the criminal proceedings. But I categorically refused and insisted on a court hearing.
[Correspondent] Everybody was happy with today's court ruling, both the ex-minister and his lawyers - which is
quite understandable - and the prosecution team.
[Sergey Khlopushin, prosecutor of the Republic of Kalmykia] This was indeed a very high-profile case. An interior
minister of a constituent part of the Russian Federation does not go on trial every day. I believe this is the first
time in decades that a public servant of such high rank has been found guilty. We are quite happy with the sentence.
[Correspondent] Timofey Sasykov did not say what he intends to do now. But, in principle, once he has paid the fine,
he is quite at liberty to seek re-employment at the Interior Ministry. The court did not strip him of his rank. So he is
still a general.
[RTR Russia TV] |
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