Nemtsov denies possible embezzlement in Coordination Council election
MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) - A criminal case of suspected embezzlement in the election of the Russian opposition's coordination council is a provocation by the authorities, RPR-PARNAS Cochairman Boris Nemtsov told Interfax on Wednesday.
"The Coordination Council election terrifies the authorities. They think opposition unity will escalate protest actions and they will have to resign," he said.
"Hence, they (the authorities) jointly with the accomplices and supporters of Sergei Mavrodi have organized a provocation to thwart our ballot. I think they will do their best to block the Web site where the voting is in progress, although they are very aware there has been no embezzlement," he said.
Prosecutor General's Office spokesperson Marina Gridneva said earlier that prosecutors checked on the opposition at the request of citizens who claimed the 10,000 ruble fees they paid online to take part in the Coordination Council election had been stolen.
Gridneva said the criminal case was opened on the embezzlement charges.
"A criminal case was opened under Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code (fraud) following an inquiry ordered by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office," Gridneva told Interfax.
