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Ex-Russian Anticorruption Official Reportedly Commits Suicide


Russia's Investigative Committee says a former top anticorruption official who was charged himself with organizing a criminal group has committed suicide.

Boris Kolesnikov, former deputy chief of the Anticorruption and Economic Crimes Directorate at Russia's Interior Ministry, reportedly jumped off a balcony on the sixth floor of the Investigative Committee's building in Moscow on June 16.

Kolesnikov, his former chief, Denis Sugrobov, and several of their former subordinates were arrested after investigations were launched in February into their alleged involvement in organizing a criminal group, soliciting bribes, and exceeding their authority.

If found guilty, the remaining defendants face up to 10 years in prison.

Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on June 16 that Kolesnikov had attempted twice before to kill himself while in pretrial detention.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS

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