Mayor Of Capital Of Russia's Jewish Autonomous Region Charged With Abuse Of Office

The mayor of Birobidzhan, the capital of Russia's Jewish Autonomous Region, has been detained on corruption charges.

Russia's Investigative Committee says Andrei Parkhomenko was detained on February 19 and charged with abuse of office.

Investigators say the case is linked to the privatization of a cinema theater building in Birobidzhan.

The Jewish Autonomous Region is located in Russia's Far East. It borders China and the Russian regions of Khabarovsk Krai and Amur.

The autonomous region was established in 1934 during the rule of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS