Moscow--The governor of Russia's far eastern gas hub of Sakhalin has been arrested on suspicion of taking a massive bribe, investigators said Wednesday, in a rare graft probe targeting senior officials.
The long-serving governor of the Pacific island, Alexander Khoroshavin, 55, was arrested alongside several other officials for "receiving a bribe on a particularly large scale", the powerful Investigative Committee said in a statement.
The remote island is home to multi-billion-dollar oil and gas projects involving major international energy companies such as Exxon and Shell.
While Moscow has long declared war on corruption, which permeates all levels of government, it is highly unusual for senior officials to come under criminal investigation.
The Investigative Committee said the arrest of Khoroshavin and three alleged accomplices was a sign of government's determination to stamp out graft.
"No one has ever been or will be untouchable," it said.
Investigators, assisted by FSB federal security agents, carried out 10 searches on the island as well as five on Khoroshavin's other properties, including in Moscow.
"Large sums of money have been confiscated in rubles and foreign currency, a large quantity of jewellery and costly watches and cell phones," said the statement, adding that searches were ongoing.
Khoroshavin, who has been governor of Sakhalin since 2007, has been transferred to Moscow where a court will rule on whether he must be held behind bars during the investigation. He could face up to 15 years in jail.
afp
