Leader of Russia’s new parliamentary faction denounces fraud case against prominent Moscow university figure

In remarks on the floor of Russia’s State Duma on Thursday, New People party leader Alexey Nechayev defended Sergey Zuyev, the Moscow university administrator placed under house arrest earlier this week in connection with the fraud case against former Deputy Education Minister Marina Rakova. In his speech, Nechaev said he’s known Nechaev for 12 years and characterized him as “one of Russia’s most distinguished public servants” who “truly loves education.”

Nechayev called the allegations against Zuyev “disgraceful” and argued that the case against his friend demonstrates a “clear imbalance in [Russia’s] current law enforcement system.” 

Many of Zuyev’s colleagues at the Moscow School for the Social and Economic Sciences (“Shaninka”) have voiced their support for him and requested his immediate release from house arrest. Additionally, nearly 1,000 people have signed an open letter defending Zuyev, demanding that he receive fair treatment.

Nechayev’s political party is new to the State Duma. The New People have vowed to “shake up” Russia’s legislature, though the Kremlin itself reportedly orchestrated the group’s ascension to the parliament.