Russia: Lawmaker quits Duma over U.S. property allegations
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 February 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Lawmaker quits Duma over U.S. property allegations, 20 February 2013, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/513dd1b45.html [accessed 19 June 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 20, 2013
The chairman of the State Duma's Ethics Committee has resigned his seat in the Russian parliament following allegations that he owns real estate worth an estimated $2 million in the United States.
Vladimir Pekhtin, a lawmaker from the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, said on February 20 that he had "nothing to blame myself for."
He said he resigned to prevent political opponents from hurting his party's reputation.
Anticorruption campaigner Aleksei Navalny uncovered legal documents reportedly indicating Pekhtin and his son own two condominiums, a plot of land, and a house in Florida.
Pekhtin allegedly violated Russian laws by not including the property on his income and property declaration.
The lawmaker insists his 35-year-old son, who has lived in the United States since 1998, is the sole owner of the U.S. property.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, AP, and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
