An FSB general escapes another appearance in a bribery trial

A Moscow court has rejected a request by former Kirov Governor Nikita Belykh to call to the stand Federal Security Service General Oleg Feoktistov, who oversaw Belykh’s arrest. The judge sided with prosecutors, ruling that the testimony already on file is sufficient in the corruption case against Belykh.

Due to the ex-governor’s poor health, further hearings in Belykh’s trial will take place at Moscow’s “Matrosskaya Tishina” detention center. Journalists will not be admitted and Belykh’s lawyers will be responsible for informing the press what takes place.

As Kirov’s governor, Nikita Belykh was arrested in June 2016 on charges of receiving €600,000 (about $732,750) in bribes. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

Oleg Feoktistov also featured in the trial against former Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev. As head of security for the state oil company Rosneft, Feoktistov told the Federal Security Service that Ulyukayev solicited a bribe from Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin. (Feoktistov says he learned of this incident from Sechin.) Ulyukayev, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for the supposed bribe, maintains his innocence and accuses Feoktistov and Sechin of framing him.