The Novosibirsk Regional Court has decided to soften the measure of restraint for the deputy head of the Department of Transport and Road Improvement Complex of the Novosibirsk City Hall Olesya Bogomozova. The preventive measure has been changed to house arrest until September 12, 2024. But what does this mean for the line of detention episodes?
House arrest
In July 2024, the Novosibirsk Regional Court overturned the ruling of the court of first instance of July 8 regarding the deputy head of the Department of Transport and Road Improvement Complex of the Novosibirsk City Hall, Olesya Bogomozova. She had previously been sent to a pretrial detention center until July 12, and the defense failed to appeal the decision the first time.
It is worth recalling that, according to the investigation, Olesya Bogomozova, using her powers, organized the conclusion of two contracts between the Municipal Institution “Gorsvet” and a legal entity, the services under which were not planned to be provided. At the same time, the actions of the official were not directed in favor of the city or the financial and economic department.
From December 25, 2017 to December 31, 2019, for general patronage in service and illegal actions in favor of the bribe giver, Bogomozova received a bribe in the form of money and property for a total of 230 thousand rubles. Also, from December 30, 2021 to March 8, 2022, the official received a bribe from the deputy in the form of property for a total of 151 thousand rubles. In exchange, Bogomozova was supposed to provide support in her deputy activities by allocating additional funds for the deputy’s constituency and changing the order of events.
Show arrests
A “thaw” in the series of crime news is unlikely to be expected. Mass arrests began in March. At first, it was believed that this was how a new government was established in the city, since a new mayor, Maxim Kudryavtsev, came to power. But such zeal on the part of law enforcement officers also affected those who remained in municipal service. As well as those who were just planning to do so.
Bogomozova wanted to leave the service even before her arrest, but her superiors persuaded her to stay. Some even say that the official wanted to go somewhere and wait out the gathering clouds, but did not do so because of her husband. Bogomozova’s husband held a respectable post in the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Novosibirsk Region. His wife’s escape abroad would have meant the end of his career. Therefore, this version is weak, but has the right to exist.
The current outcome is also extremely unfavorable for Bogomozova’s husband, because corruption is considered a particularly dangerous crime. And the official’s release from the pretrial detention center two months after her arrest looks like a favor. The question arises: why such a gesture? Did Bogomozova really make a deal with the investigation or admit her guilt? In that case, there is no point in keeping the official in the pretrial detention center.
The Novosibirsk elite is in a panic and demands an end to the brutal wave of reprisals by law enforcement agencies. It is not surprising, because many still clearly have something to hide. But this entire wave of arrests has a negative impact on the economic and political spheres of the city and the region as a whole. Who are the same businessmen supposed to negotiate with if politicians and officials are being jailed in droves?
Of course, violators must be punished. But because this is happening on a massive scale, since the law was completely ignored in the past, a criminal atmosphere is now forming in the Novosibirsk Region. One way or another, only time will tell the real consequences of this whole story. Babr will continue to monitor the developments.
