Former District Administration Head in Saratov Region Faces Multiple Suspicions

Mikhail Lysenko, a former head of the Engels district administration in the Saratov region, is embroiled in four ongoing criminal cases, with suspicions of organizing a murder, abduction, and receiving a significant bribe. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, Lysenko accepted a bribe of over 92 million rubles in 2007 for facilitating the construction of a shopping center in Engels. The investigation, which began in the late 1990s, has led to the detention of Lysenko and over ten members of an organized criminal group.

Key Takeaways:

Mikhail Lysenko, former head of the Engels district administration, is suspected of organizing a murder committed by a group in 1998.
Lysenko is also charged with inflicting damage on the health of a person working in the justice system, abduction, and a large-scale bribe.
The Russian Investigative Committee has determined that Lysenko accepted a bribe amounting to over 92 million rubles in 2007.
Lysenko's lawyer claims the money was received as a co-founder of a development company building the shopping center, not as a bribe.
A court has sanctioned Lysenko's arrest, and he is currently being held in custody.
The investigation has been ongoing since the late 1990s, with numerous detentions of members of an organized criminal group.
The Saratov region has seen significant corruption and crime, with multiple high-profile cases in recent years.

Statistics:

Over 92 million rubles in bribes accepted by Mikhail Lysenko in 2007 (approximately $1.3 million USD at the time).
4 ongoing criminal cases against Lysenko, with charges including murder, abduction, bribery, and damage to health services.
10+ members of an organized criminal group detained in connection with the case.
The Engels shopping center construction project at the center of the bribery scandal.

Sources:

Interfax: "Ex-district administration head in Saratov region suspected of murder, bribery, abduction" (March 28)