The Omsk Regional Court, having considered the complaint of the defense of the former artistic director of the Fifth Theater of Omsk, Nikita Grinshpun, who was convicted of embezzlement and corruption, commuted his punishment. The term of imprisonment was reduced by a year to four years and six months in a strict regime colony. Kommersant was informed about this in the press service of the court.

According to law enforcement officers, Nikita Grinshpun entered into fictitious contracts for the lighting design of performances, while the work was performed by the theater’s full-time illuminator. In the period from 2016 to 2018, the defendant in the case, the investigators calculated, stole 1.3 million rubles in this way. Also, the artistic director, according to the investigation, received 4.2 million rubles. bribes from the theater director Denis Shibaev for general patronage – the theater transferred money to the account of Denis Shibaev under contracts for staging performances, he gave part of the fee to the artistic director.

In February 2023, the court sentenced Nikita Grinshpun to five years and six months in a strict regime colony and a fine of 8.4 million rubles. In addition to the defense, the prosecution also appealed the verdict, considering it too lenient. In the debate, the state prosecution asked for 11 years in prison for Nikita Grinshpun.