Alexander Tufanov, the rector of Gatchina State University, has been placed under house arrest by the Gatchina City Court. The decision, announced on June 11th, comes after a law enforcement investigation into alleged fraudulent activities involving the university and the issuance of invitations to foreign citizens.

The house arrest is set to last for one month and 18 days. Investigators had initially requested a stricter measure of detention for Tufanov.

The case emerged following raids conducted by the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs at Gatchina State University. The investigation focuses on potential organized schemes by university management to provide fictitious training for migrants from Arab countries.

Authorities allege that more than 30 invitations were issued in the name of the university to foreign citizens in November 2024. These invitations were reportedly connected to sham tuition, with fees ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 rubles.

The investigation suggests that an entrepreneur from the Moscow area was responsible for supplying the purported “students” to the 53-year-old rector. A former vice-rector is believed to have been tasked with preparing the fraudulent invitations.

Five university employees are also alleged to have been involved in the scheme.