The founder of "NTpharma" and the mayor of Pereslavl-Zalessky detained

Law enforcement agencies have detained Rustam Ataullakhanov, founder of NTpharma company, former NTpharma CEO Yevgeny Sultanov, and Denis Koshurnikov, mayor of Pereslavl-Zalessky, according to the press service of the Russian Investigative Committee. Earlier on Wednesday, November 16, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on suspicion of embezzling more than 1 billion rubles that Rosnano allocated to NTpharma for the construction of a pharmaceutical plant in the Yaroslavl region.

Koshurnikov was detained in Pereslavl-Zalessky, while Ataullakhanov and Sultanov were detained in Moscow, the Investigative Committee's press service reported late on Wednesday, November 16. Searches were conducted at the suspects' places of residence and work on Wednesday. "In the near future, the issue of choosing preventive measures for the defendants in the criminal case and bringing charges will be decided," the Investigative Committee's statement said.

Rustam Ataullakhanov and Yevgeny Sultanov are suspected of embezzlement of entrusted property on an especially large scale, while Denis Koshurnikov is suspected of exceeding official authority as the head of a local self-government body, resulting in serious consequences. According to the Investigative Committee, starting from 2010, JSC Rosnano invested over 1 billion rubles in NTpharma LLC for the construction of a pharmaceutical production facility for vaccines and therapeutic biologicals in the Pereslavl district of the Yaroslavl region.

"Simulating the performance of work, Ataullakhanov and Sultanov in 2011 purchased a land plot from Protect LLC, which belonged to Koshurnikov, located on the territory of the Pleshcheyevo Ozero National Park. At the time of the transaction, Koshurnikov was the head of the Pereslavl district and issued a construction permit without written approval from the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources," the Investigative Committee explained the circumstances of the case.

Yevgeny Sultanov became general director of NTpharma LLC in April 2014; currently, this position in the company is held by Rustam Ataullakhanov. Until November 2014, Rustam Ataullakhanov worked as deputy general director for science at the National Immunobiological Company (Nacimbio; part of Rostech), and was also a member of the company's scientific and technical council.

In November 2014, Rosnano offered Rostech to buy out a stake in NTpharma. "So far, we have only conducted a qualitative analysis, and it satisfied us. Now we will evaluate the cost they are offering, and only after that a decision will be made," a Rostech press service representative told Vademecum at the time. The deal did not take place as the purchase was deemed "inexpedient"; Rustam Ataullakhanov currently holds no positions at Nacimbio, according to a representative of the state company.