Russia accuses Transdnestr leader’s son of embezzlement

Russia’s Investigative Committee may forcibly bring the son of Igor Smirnov, the breakaway Transdnestr Republic’s leader, for questioning over his alleged involvement in embezzling $5.2 million bound for humanitarian aid, committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on Monday. According to investigators, Oleg Smirnov and his associate, banker Oleg Brizitskiy, embezzled the $5.2 million between 2008-2009 which Russia allocated for humanitarian aid to Transdnestr retirees. A criminal case against Smirnov and his associate was opened in late October, but neither of the men appeared for the inquiry. Oleg Smirnov has Russian citizenship and several apartments in Moscow, as well as a cottage in the suburbs of the Russian capital. He also owns several companies, police say. Igor Smirnov has been heading the Transdnestr Republic for the last 20 years. In September 2011, he announced plans to seek a fifth consecutive presidential term.