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United Russia MP resigns over Florida property allegations United Russia MP resigns over Florida property allegations
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A leading member of the ruling United Russia party has resigned from parliament amid a row over property he allegedly owns at Miami Beach, Florida, but has not declared to parliament. A leading member of the ruling United Russia party has resigned from parliament amid a row over property he allegedly owns in Miami Beach, Florida, but has not declared to parliament.
Vladimir Pekhtin, who had served in the Russian parliament since 1999, allegedly had not listed on disclosure forms to the Duma the US properties he held, according to the anti-corruption blogger Aleksei Navalny. Vladimir Pekhtin, who has served in the Russian parliament since 1999, allegedly had not listed the US properties he held on disclosure forms to the Duma, according to the anti-corruption blogger Aleksei Navalny.
The resignation on Wednesday made Pekhtin the most prominent figure in Navalny's long campaign against official corruption.The resignation on Wednesday made Pekhtin the most prominent figure in Navalny's long campaign against official corruption.
The decision to remove Pekhtin would have been taken at the highest level, Navalny said, adding: "The most corrupt people are around Putin … but these people are untouchable and to preserve their safety the leadership was forced to throw a bone to their critics."The decision to remove Pekhtin would have been taken at the highest level, Navalny said, adding: "The most corrupt people are around Putin … but these people are untouchable and to preserve their safety the leadership was forced to throw a bone to their critics."
Pekhtin's resignation speech in the Duma, or lower chamber of the Russian parliament, was met by a standing ovation. He told deputies that he needed time to clear his name. "I have never violated the letter or the spirit of the law and will not do so in the future. [But] I don't want the shadow of unfounded accusation to fall on our party." Pekhtin's resignation speech in the Duma, the lower chamber of parliament, was met by a standing ovation. He told deputies he needed time to clear his name, adding: "I have never violated the letter or the spirit of the law and will not do so in the future. I don't want the shadow of unfounded accusation to fall on our party."
In a blog last week Navalny posted material, much of it publicly available, that included the deeds for at least three Florida properties with Pekhtin's name on them. One South Beach apartment was worth £850,000. None of the properties had featured on the politician's property declaration to the Duma. In a blog last week, Navalny posted material, much of it publicly available, that included the deeds for at least three Florida properties with Pekhtin's name on them. One South Beach apartment was worth £850,000. None of the properties had featured on the politician's property declaration to the Duma.
Though Pekhtin denied owning any foreign real estate, and said it was likely his son had purchased the properties named, within 48 hours of the exposure by Navlany he had stepped down as head of the Russian parliament's ethics committee. Pekhtin denied owning any foreign real estate and said it was likely his son had purchased the properties named, but within 48 hours of the exposure by Navlany, he quit as head of the parliament's ethics committee.
But the politician received support from members of United Russia, who praised him for honesty. Members of his party, United Russia, praised him for honesty. Vyacheslav Timchenko said: "They are attacking the most true and most reliable of our comrades … with people in our ranks such as Vladimir Pekhtin we simply cannot lose."
Vyacheslav Timchenko, a member of the party, said: "They are attacking the most true and most reliable of our comrades … with people in our ranks such as Vladimir Pekhtin we simply cannot lose." The scandal comes amid an official campaign to "nationalise" the Russian elite, which analysts say is a way of spreading fear within the ruling class and strengthening the Kremlin's grip.
The scandal comes amid an official campaign to "nationalise" the Russian elite, which analysts say is also a way of spreading fear within the ruling class and strengthening the Kremlin's grip.
Putin proposed legislation to the Duma last week that would bar senior officials from holding foreign bank accounts.Putin proposed legislation to the Duma last week that would bar senior officials from holding foreign bank accounts.
Dmitry Gudkov, member of the party A Just Russia, wrote on Twitter immediately after Pekhtin's announcement: "It will not end with the resignation of Pekhtin. Parliamentary cannibalism is incurable. The engine won't stop now. It will end with the dissolution of the state Duma." Dmitry Gudkov, a member of the A Just Russia party, wrote on Twitter immediately after Pekhtin's announcement: "It will not end with the resignation of Pekhtin. Parliamentary cannibalism is incurable. The engine won't stop now. It will end with the dissolution of the state Duma."
Pavel Salin, a political analyst, said: "This is the beginning of a clean-up of the deputy body."Pavel Salin, a political analyst, said: "This is the beginning of a clean-up of the deputy body."
Pekhtin is not the only prominent deputy to leave the Duma since the last elections in December 2011. Gennady Gudkov, of A Just Russia, was expelled last autumn for allegedly running a company whilst serving in parliament, and the Communist deputy Konstantin Shirshov was forced out last week because of a fraud case. Pekhtin is not the only prominent deputy to leave the Duma since the last elections in December 2011. Gennady Gudkov, of A Just Russia, was expelled last autumn for allegedly running a company while serving in parliament, and the Communist deputy Konstantin Shirshov was forced out last week because of a fraud case.