Shein's comrades link attack on him to Astrakhan elections
MOSCOW. Nov 21 (Interfax) - The administration of the parliamentary faction of A Just Russia said the attack on A Just Russia member Oleg Shein could be aimed at removing him as a rival in the possible elections for the Astrakhan mayor.
"I don't rule out the possibility that it's a method of eliminating a rival," Mikhail Yemelyanov, deputy head of the faction, told Interfax.
Yemelyanov said he believes the fact that the incident with Shein occurred after he announced his plans to run for the post of mayor of Astrakhan if elections are held there is "a very strange coincidence."
"Any provocation can be organized," Yemelyanov said.
"What happened to Shein could only be the result of a political conflict," Alexander Ageyev, a member of the A Just Russia faction in the State Duma, told Interfax on Thursday.
"The incident could be connected to the recent corruption scandals in Astrakhan," Ageyev said, adding that he does not know the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ageyev, who is now on a business trip, has sent a supportive SMS to Shein.
"I am shocked. I am very concerned about Oleg, he is a very close friend," Ageyev said.
"Clearly, Oleg Shein did not do anything that could have triggered such an attack. There is no business here, only politics. He became recognizable after the protests," Ageyev said.
Ageyev promised that the party will do all it can to help Shein.
