Overview
- Officers of the regional FSB, with participation from the MVD’s internal security unit, detained Maxim Blinnikov on December 29.
- The regional Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Article 290 part 6 of the Russian Criminal Code for receiving a bribe in an especially large amount.
- Investigators say Blinnikov received at least 1.8 million rubles in parts from April 2023 through April 2025.
- According to authorities, the payments were for advance warnings about planned law‑enforcement measures and advice on forming a defense position.
- Searches were carried out at his residence and workplace, and decisions on charges and pretrial restrictions are pending, after his December 24 dismissal from the police.