Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs
The purchasing director of Russia’s nationalized pasta manufacturer Makfa was arrested on suspicion of bribery, Russian news agencies reported Thursday, citing anonymous law enforcement sources.
Vladlen Parshin was detained in the Chelyabinsk region, according to Interfax, TASS and RIA Novosti. No further details about the case were disclosed, while Makfa’s press service said Parshin’s arrest came as a “big surprise.”
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, were involved in the arrest, according to the regional news website 74.ru, which cited anonymous sources.
Parshin, a former police colonel, joined Makfa sometime in the mid-2010s after retiring from law enforcement, according to 74.ru’s profile of the executive.
news
Moscow Seizes Pasta Maker Makfa in Wartime Nationalization Sweep
Read more
The Russian government seized Makfa Group’s assets last year as part of what has been described as the Kremlin’s expanding nationalization campaign following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Prosecutors argued that Makfa Group’s owners violated anti-corruption laws by running the business while holding political office.
Makfa’s main beneficiaries are former Chelyabinsk region Governor Mikhail Yurevich, who is a suspect in a bribery case, and former regional lawmaker Vadim Belousov, who was convicted on bribery charges in 2022.
Parshin was described as Yurevich’s “protege” in 74.ru’s profile.
The same Chelyabinsk court that ordered Makfa’s nationalization ruled last month to recover 19.7 billion rubles ($224.8 million) in profits and dividends from Makfa’s ex-owners, covering the period from 2002 to 2024.
Makfa’s former owners are challenging its nationalization in court.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today? Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy.
