Russian authorities search Ministry of Education over bribery case

The Investigative Committee confirmed that searches are underway at the Ministry of Education and Science within the framework of a criminal case against former rector of State University of Management Viktor Kozbanenko, accused of taking a large bribe. "Investigators are conducting a search at the Ministry of Education of science; they are searching for objects and documents which have significance for the criminal case," SK spokesman Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass. Earlier, police said "the rector demanded through his agents remuneration from a commercial firm representative for assistance in signing a 58-million-rouble state contract for maintenance works on the premises of the university." Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Livanov fired Viktor Kozbenko on March 11. He was placed under arrest.