Former Russian lawmaker gets 9 years in prison

Moscow City Court has sentenced former Senator for the Russian republic of Kalmykia, Levon Chakhmakhchyan, to nine years jail. The court found Chakhmakhchyan and his two accomplices guilty of fraud, resulting in $US 1.5 million being stolen from a large R

One of the largest corruption scandals broke in 2006 when Chakhmakhchyan and his companions were detained, receiving $US 300.000 in cash. The investigation proved that the officials were being bribed. 

The investigators found out that the accused offered to solve alleged tax problems in the air company for of $US 1.5 million.

Critics claim that Chakhmakhchyan is innocent and have denounced the trial for being held behind closed doors, as some case files are classified.