The official statement pointed out that the scheme’s members, which the FSB dismantled in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, were allegedly “involved in illegal economic and corruption acts” in the Stavropol Territory in the North Caucasus region.

They are particularly suspected of having prematurely revoked the license of a municipal enterprise in Minerálnye Vody city to appropriate its industrial capacities and profit from extracting mineral water from a local spring.

The statement also accused them of stealing “significant quantities” of natural gas from a local company without specifying the amount of damage.

Those involved have been remanded in custody and are being investigated for alleged crimes, including abuse of authority, theft, and extortion.

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