Putin Names New Moscow Police Chief After Yakunin Resigns

Former Moscow police chief Anatoly Yakunin (file photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Major General Oleg Baranov as the new chief of the Moscow police force.

Baranov replaces Anatoly Yakunin, who resigned on September 22.

A statement on the Kremlin's website on September 23 said Yakunin, 52, was appointed by Putin to head the Operative Directorate of the Russian Interior Ministry.

Yakunin, a lieutenant general, has headed the Russian capital's police directorate since 2012.

Yakunin's resignation came two days after the spokesman for Russia’s Investigative Committee, Vladimir Markin, announced his resignation.

Media reports said last week that the Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin may also resign soon.

Kommersant newspaper reported on September 19 that Russian authorities are planning to fully revamp law-enforcement structures by the 2018 presidential election.

Based on reporting by Kommersant, TASS, Interfax, and RIA