MOSCOW. Dec 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The Military Bank has caused RUB55m (USD1.73m) in damages to the state, according to an audit of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Audit Chamber.
"The audit was conducted by the Defense Ministry's department in charge of the distribution of the military budget and financing," FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev said on Tuesday at the fourth conference of Russia's Association of Auditing Bodies.
He said that this presents a positive example of cooperation between security bodies and the Audit Chamber.
"The audit was carried out based on the materials available to security agencies, and all the relevant investigation materials have been sent to court," Patrushev said.
The FSB chief said that irregularities in the State Customs Committee's practices were established as well, referring to RUB54bn (USD1.69bn) in damages caused by foreign trade companies to the state. "We have found that customs duties have not been paid in full," he added.
Patrushev called for closer cooperation between security bodies and the Audit Chamber. He noted that efforts should focus on monitoring financial operations of defense industry enterprises, which work on state orders. "It is necessary to ensure that budget funds are spent appropriately and to take tough steps towards misappropriation and embezzlement," Patrushev said.
He expressed confidence that Russia's success in implementing democratic reform is impossible without removing external and internal threats and without the fight against manifestations of extremism and international terrorism.
The FSB chief stressed that Chechnya will remain under close scrutiny on the part of security bodies and the Audit Chamber.
He complimented Audit Chamber head Sergei Stepashin on his achievements, presenting him with a FSB award.