Ex-Rosgvardia Deputy Chief Released After Prison Sentence

Sergey Mileiko, the former deputy director of Russia's National Guard (Rosgvardia), has officially regained his freedom. A military court recently sentenced him to seven years in a penal colony for large-scale fraud, but the sentence was effectively already served.

The ruling marks the conclusion of a complex legal saga involving corruption within the country's security apparatus. Mileiko, who oversaw logistics for the National Guard, was convicted of embezzlement during the procurement of official uniforms and equipment.

Despite the conviction, the court acknowledged that Mileiko had already spent the equivalent of the sentence behind bars. Consequently, he was released immediately following the verdict, closing a chapter on a high-profile financial crime case.

The charges against Sergey Mileiko stemmed from his tenure as the deputy director for logistics. Investigators determined that he had orchestrated a scheme to inflate the cost of goods purchased by the National Guard.

Specifically, Mileiko was found guilty of approving unjustifiably high prices for uniforms and other property items. The investigation revealed that the inflated costs were part of a coordinated effort to divert state funds.

Key details of the scheme include:

• Approval of inflated pricing for official uniforms
• Collusion with private suppliers
• Embezzlement of state budget funds
• Abuse of official authority

The court found that Mileiko's actions resulted in significant financial losses to the state. The case highlights vulnerabilities in the procurement processes of major government agencies.

The investigation extended beyond the former official to include the supplier involved in the fraudulent transactions. Igor Shalnov, a businessman who provided the goods to the National Guard, was also a key figure in the trial.

Shalnov was found guilty of complicity in the fraud scheme. The court sentenced him to six and a half years in a penal colony for his role in the embezzlement.

Unlike Mileiko, Shalnov's sentence was not considered already served. He remains subject to the penalty imposed by the military court. The simultaneous convictions of both the official and the supplier underscore the systemic nature of the corruption.

In the verdict, the court noted the specific roles played by both the approving official and the private contractor in facilitating the financial scheme.

Throughout the trial, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. They consistently denied any wrongdoing, refusing to acknowledge the validity of the accusations brought against them.

Mileiko and Shalnov challenged the prosecution's evidence, specifically targeting the expert assessments used to calculate the financial damages. They argued that the valuation of the goods was flawed and did not reflect market realities.

The defense maintained that any discrepancies in pricing were the result of administrative errors rather than criminal intent. This strategy formed the core of their legal defense, though it ultimately failed to persuade the court of their innocence.

Despite the verdict, the defendants' refusal to admit guilt adds a layer of controversy to the proceedings, suggesting they view the conviction as unjust.

The release of Sergey Mileiko brings a complex legal case to a close, though it raises questions about accountability in high-level government positions. The fact that he served his sentence prior to the verdict is a procedural anomaly that highlights the length of the investigation.

The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within Russia's state structures. The National Guard, a powerful agency created in 2016, has faced scrutiny over its operations and procurement practices.

As Mileiko steps back into civilian life, the focus shifts to the systemic issues that allowed such fraud to occur. The conviction of a high-ranking official and a private supplier demonstrates that the judiciary is willing to prosecute financial crimes, even within the security sector.

The case of Sergey Mileiko illustrates the intersection of power, finance, and the law. It underscores the importance of transparency in government procurement.

Key points to remember:

• High-ranking officials are not immune to prosecution
• Procurement fraud remains a significant challenge
• Legal processes can span years before reaching a conclusion

While the release of the former deputy director closes this specific case, the broader fight against corruption continues. The verdict serves as a precedent for future cases involving financial misconduct in state agencies.