The Minister of Industry and Trade of the Novosibirsk Region, Andrey Goncharov, along with two businessmen, Dmitry Kaleda and Dmitry Smirnov, are currently in pre-trial detention amid an investigation into alleged fraud and abuse of power related to the supply of goods for the Special Military Operation (SVO). The case, which began in December of last year, involves accusations of financial irregularities and inflated prices, with investigators claiming the regional treasury suffered significant losses.

The arrests of Kaleda and Smirnov, who managed the company “Rosexpress,” occurred in connection with the earlier detention of two Ministry of Industry and Trade employees, Yuri Vorobyov and Natalya Zyryanova, on charges of abuse of power for allegedly assisting Rosexpress in securing government contracts worth approximately 750 million rubles. Investigators suspect that Rosexpress employees, with the help of ministry officials, submitted fraudulent commercial offers to inflate prices, potentially embezzling 150 million rubles.

Goncharov’s arrest in May stemmed from accusations that he improperly altered a government contract with Rosexpress, leading to the regional budget paying twice for the same goods, resulting in a loss of 95 million rubles. Kaleda maintains his innocence, stating that Rosexpress has been a supplier of goods from China and Hong Kong since 2009. He explains that rising prices and fluctuating demands caused them to adjust their offers, and that officials selected Rosexpress as a supplier without his influence.

Kaleda claims that although his company earned a net profit of 73 million rubles from the supplies, almost 68 million rubles were donated to charity for the needs of participants in the special operation. The circumstances surrounding Kaleda’s arrest have also drawn attention, with his fiancé alleging that his 7-year-old son was taken to a children’s center during the search, causing the child significant distress and requiring psychological evaluation. Relatives suggest this may have been a pressure tactic.