Kommersant learned about a new case against ex-governor Belozertsev – RBK

According to the newspaper, officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs found a Makarov pistol and cartridges during searches in the building of the Penza administration. Belozertsev’s lawyers and the ex-governor himself insist that the weapon does not belong to him

The Investigative Committee opened a new criminal case against the former governor of the Penza region, Ivan Belozertsev, who was arrested on charges of accepting a bribe. informs Kommersant.

Belozertsev was suspected of illegal acquisition and storage of weapons and ammunition (Article 222 of the Criminal Code). According to the newspaper, the case was opened after a report by employees of the GUEBiPK (Main Directorate for Economic Security and Combating Corruption) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who in March, during a search in the building of the Penza regional administration, found a Makarov pistol with a sawed-down number and 96 cartridges for it. The ammunition was packed in a white bag, and the weapon was packed in a brown leather briefcase, which was in the closet in the ex-governor’s office, the newspaper writes with reference to the case file.

At the same time, Belozertsev’s lawyers say that the weapon was not found in the office, but in the back room next to him, where anyone could get. They insist that the ex-governor does not own the pistol and regard the new investigation as a way of putting pressure on the official. The defense tried to challenge the decision to open a new case in the Basmanny Court, but was refused.

Belozertsev claims that he has nothing to do with the found pistol and cartridges. According to the former governor, all weapons that belong to him were officially registered and kept in his house.