Russian Communist Lawmaker Jailed For Fraud

Russian Communist lawmaker Konstantin Shirshov has been sentenced to five years in jail for fraud.

The Moscow City Court found Shirshov guilty of attempted extortion of 7.5 million euros ($10,280,000) from a resident in the Moscow region promising to secure a parliamentary seat for him in 2011.

The court also ruled on May 26 that Shirshov must pay a 700,000 rubles ($20,500) fine.

Shirshov was taken to custody in the courtroom right after the judge pronounced the verdict.

Shirshov denies any wrongdoing. His lawyer said the court's sentence will be appealed in Russia's Supreme Court.


Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS