The Meshchansky Court of Moscow sentenced the founder of the "Rusagro" group Vadim Moshkovich to detention until May 25 on charges of fraud on an especially large scale and abuse of official powers, according to RIA Novosti. Moshkovich's defense insisted on a softer measure of restraint and asked to release the businessman on bail of 1 billion rubles. Vadim Moshkovich denies his guilt.
During the trial, the investigator insisted on arrest, stating that Moshkovich has an Israeli passport, his children reside abroad, and he owns an airplane, so the judge deemed it impossible to release him on bail. In turn, the accused claims that he does not have an airplane, is under sanctions, and cannot leave Russia.
Also, until May 25, the court arrested the former CEO of "Rusagro" Maxim Basov on charges of fraud on an especially large scale and abuse of official powers. Maxim Basov also declares his innocence and requests to exclude imprisonment, pointing to his family obligations and the need to care for his parents. The judge reported that Basov's son resides in the UK, has influential ties, and that Maxim Basov holds citizenship of Grenada. Basov's lawyer stated their intention to appeal the court's decision.
The prosecution alleges that Vadim Moshkovich and Maxim Basov forced the former co-owner of the company "Sunny Products" Vladislav Burov to sell his share in exchange for investments and fulfilling obligations. The receivables of the company on loans from Rosselkhozbank in the amount of 34.7 billion rubles were bought by "Rusagro." The details of the deception by Moshkovich and Basov are not disclosed. Lawyer Ruslan Kozhura claims that the sales contract indicates the seller receiving funds, and the prosecution did not provide evidence of non-compliance with obligations by the "Rusagro" executives. According to Interfax, Moshkovich and Basov are accused of embezzling around 1 billion rubles.
In October 2023, the company "Sunny Products" turned to law enforcement agencies with a statement about initiating a criminal case against Moshkovich and other individuals from "Rusagro" for embezzlement on an especially large scale. The Ministry of Internal Affairs refused to initiate a case, while the prosecutor's office and district court sided with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, the appellate court overturned the decision and referred the case for new consideration.
Prior to this, law enforcement agencies conducted searches in the offices of "Rusagro." The company claims that the searches are not related to their current activities.