MOSCOW. Feb 8 (Interfax) - Former deputy prosecutor of Moscow region Alexander Ignatenko has been charged with accepting a bribe as part of a corruption case related to illegal gambling in the region, his defense reports.
"Charges were brought under Article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code (bribery). In our opinion, proceedings were abused, therefore Ignatenko refused to testify," Alexander Asnis, a lawyer of the former prosecutor, told Interfax.
He said that Ignatenko was also charged with fraud but this charge was dropped in compliance with Polish demands at the time of the suspect's extradition to Russia. "We do not know the full scope of the charges, therefore he did not testify," the lawyer said.
After the interrogation Ignatenko was taken to the Moscow city court that will decide on the extension of his arrest, Asnis said.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax that "Ignatenko was charged with accepting a bribe and was questioned by investigators but refused to testify."
The source said Ignatenko did not plead guilty.