The Orenburg Regional Court has begun hearing the state prosecution's appeal in the 6-million-ruble bribe case involving former senator Rauf Arashukov. The prosecution is seeking to increase the fine for the former official, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, from 120 million to 420 million rubles.
The former mayor of Makhachkala, Magomed Suleimanov, who is on the international wanted list, is accused of accepting a bribe on an especially large scale (74.5 million rubles) and abuse of office.
Investigators allege that in 2014-2015, Suleimanov accepted a bribe from the head of a commercial organization in exchange for the city administration's dismissal of a land claim and assistance in obtaining construction permits for three apartment buildings. Furthermore, the former mayor is accused of illegally issuing 78 construction permits, resulting in the illegal construction of 80 apartment buildings in Makhachkala.
The criminal case has been referred to the Sovietsky District Court of Makhachkala. Suleimanov served as mayor from April 2014 to October 2015.