23 people were arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in the case of thefts from SMO fighters

Law enforcement officers arrested members of an organized criminal group in the framework of a criminal case on the facts of deception of participants in a special military operation by taxi drivers at the Sheremetyevo airport in the capital.

As the TASS news agency reported on Monday, May 12, a total of 23 people are under arrest, five of whom are police officers of the patrol and guard service of the linear directorate (LU) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

It is reported that a criminal case has been initiated under articles on theft and fraud (Articles 158 and 159 of the Criminal Code — the maximum penalty under both articles is up to 10 years). The defendants are also charged under the article on the organization of a criminal community. (Article 210 of the Criminal Code — maximum punishment up to 20 years).

Agency sources said that the police helped taxi drivers to look for potential victims. Another employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an operative of the airport police, later refused to initiate criminal proceedings against the victims.

There is reason to believe that the number of defendants will grow, as investigative actions in this case continue. It is also known that the Police Department for Transport has launched an inspection against the airport police leadership.

As reported by EADaily, earlier in the press service of the main military investigation department The Investigative Committee of Russia reported that the general director of the Creative company is suspected of embezzling 650 million rubles as part of the state defense order. A criminal case has been opened.