Former mayor of Kotlas, accused of accepting bribes of 18 million rubles, was found dead in a remand center

Andrei Bralnin, the former mayor of the city of Kotlas, was found dead in the remand center of the Arkhangelsk region, accused of accepting bribes. On this subject informed TASS with reference to the press service of the regional investigative service of the commission of inquiry.

“An inspection is underway to establish all the circumstances of the death of the person involved in the case,” the source said.

According to preliminary data, Bralnin committed suicide, TASS told the press service of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Arkhangelsk region.

Portal 29.ru in the department saidthat the doctors tried to resuscitate the ex-mayor, but that did not give results.

“The paramedic pronounced him dead. Signs of violence were not found,” the Federal Penitentiary Service press office told the publication.

Bralnin was in the remand center of the city of Velsk.

Andrey Bralnin has been running Kotlas since September 2013. As of February 2021, he announcement of his resignation, explaining that he was going to work in the government of the Arkhangelsk region.

In March of the same year, Bralnina held in Moscow, suspected of four episodes of bribery and abuse of power. Later, the charge increased to 17 episodes of bribes. According to investigators, in 2014-2021, the ex-mayor received money from contractors in exchange for patronage in the construction industry in Kotlas. The United Kingdom estimated the amount of the bribes at 18 million rubles. Bralnin pleaded guilty during his interrogation.

The former head of Kotlas was in custody, later his arrest was replaced by a ban on certain actions. In October 2022, the court released Bralnin on bail and a day later put him on the wanted list.

On October 10, Bralnin was arrested at Sochi airport. Arkhangelsk region prosecutor’s office claimsthat the ex-mayor tried to hide abroad.