Lone Russian lawmaker to oppose Crimean annexation charged with embezzlement
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Lone Russian lawmaker to oppose Crimean annexation charged with embezzlement, 24 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f42012.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 24, 2015
Opposition leader and State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomaryov is now in the United States after being stripped of his parliamentary immunity from prosecution in April.
Russian authorities have charged Ilya Ponomaryov, the lone State Duma representative to vote against the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, with embezzlement.
The Federal Investigative Committee said on June 24 that a state-funded technological foundation had paid Ponomaryov $750,000 for lectures, but he had delivered only brief comments.
It also said it may put Ponomaryov on an international wanted list if he fails to turn up for the investigation.
Ponomaryov, a member of the A Just Russia party, voted against the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after Russia took control of the Black Sea peninsula.
He is now in the United States after being stripped of his parliamentary immunity from prosecution in April.
Ponomaryov denies wrongdoing and says the case against him is politically motivated.
Based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
