Rauf Arashukov Gets 10 Years in 'Black Dolphin' Bribe Case

The Leninsky District Court in Orenburg has finalized a ten-year prison sentence for former senator Rauf Arashukov. The ruling addresses charges related to bribery within the penal system. Specifically, investigators determined that Arashukov offered bribes to FSIN employees in an effort to upgrade his living standards while incarcerated at the notorious «Черный дельфин» (Black Dolphin) colony.

This latest legal development adds to a life sentence Arashukov is already serving for his role in organizing contract killings. Because the new sentence is added to the existing life term, it does not change the ultimate duration of his imprisonment. However, the financial penalties associated with the case carry significant weight for his future. The court levied a fine of 120 million rubles, which creates a substantial barrier to potential conditional early release. Reports indicate the convict lacks the funds to satisfy this financial obligation.

The Leninsky District Court of Orenburg delivered the verdict regarding the former senator. The court found Rauf Arashukov guilty of attempting to bribe employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN). According to the investigation's version of events, the bribes were intended to secure improved conditions for Arashukov during his stay in the «Черный дельфин» correctional colony.

The sentence imposed was ten years of imprisonment. This term is distinct from the punishment Arashukov received for the high-profile criminal case involving contract killings. That previous judicial act resulted in a life sentence. The court clarified the relationship between the two sentences: the new ten-year term is simply added to the existing life sentence.

Because the convict is already serving a life sentence, the addition of the new term does not technically alter his fate. He remains subject to lifelong incarceration. The procedural addition of the new sentence serves to formally record the guilt for the bribery attempt without changing the practical duration of his confinement.

Alongside the prison sentence, the court imposed a significant financial penalty. Rauf Arashukov was ordered to pay a fine totaling 120 million rubles. This monetary punishment plays a specific role in the legal framework regarding prison release mechanisms.

The payment of this fine is a prerequisite for considering the possibility of conditional early release. While Arashukov is serving a life sentence, Russian law allows for the possibility of parole under specific circumstances. However, the inability to pay the court-ordered fine creates a legal obstacle to such a release.

According to available information, the convict does not currently possess the funds necessary to cover the 120 million ruble fine. This financial inability effectively removes the option of conditional early release from the table, ensuring that the financial penalty serves as a tangible consequence of the crime.

The «Черный дельфин», or Black Dolphin, correctional colony is a central element of this case. It is one of the most secure penal institutions in the country, housing prisoners serving life sentences. The facility is known for its strict regime and high-security measures.

The attempt by Arashukov to bribe staff at this specific location highlights the lengths to which he went to alleviate the harsh conditions typical of such a facility. The investigation alleged that he sought to purchase comfort within a system designed to be unforgiving.

The involvement of the FSIN (Federal Penitentiary Service) underscores the institutional nature of the crime. The bribery attempt targeted the very employees responsible for maintaining the security and order of the Black Dolphin colony.