MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax) - The statute of limitations on the negligence inquiry opened against former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has already expired, a source familiar with the case told Interfax on Thursday.
"Negligence is not a very serious offence. There is a two-year statute of limitations on such crimes. The road leading to the Zhitnoye recreation center is believed to have been built by the autumn of 2011, a date from which the statute of limitations should be counted," he said.
Interfax has so far been unable to obtain official confirmation of the report.
Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on Thursday that a criminal inquiry had been opened against Serdyukov on the counts of negligence.
The measures authorized by Serdyukov caused damage of over 56 million rubles to the Russian budget, Markin said.