Two retired commercial court judges, Natalia Pozdnyakova and Elena Rukavishnikova, face criminal prosecution in Russia over a 3.5 million ruble bribery scheme.
Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, launched the criminal cases against Natalia Pozdnyakova and Elena Rukavishnikova following formal approval from the Higher Qualification Board of Judges of Russia.
Bribe paid through intermediaries
According to the Investigative Committee, the founder of the firm IrMeKom passed 3.5 million rubles to Rukavishnikova in November 2024 through four intermediaries, including Pozdnyakova. In exchange for the payment, the business owner won a lawsuit against an energy company, which declared a restricted regime of electricity supply illegal.
The court ruling issued by Rukavishnikova subsequently stood upon appeal in both appellate and cassation instances. Investigators revealed that the court victory was paid for two years after the judgment was handed down. The Investigative Committee told news outlet Lenta.ru that criminal charges have also been brought against the bribe-giver and the intermediaries.
Judicial oversight and legal framework
In the Russian judicial system, arbitration courts specialize in resolving commercial, corporate, and economic disputes between business entities and state organs. Irkutsk Oblast, a major industrial region in southeastern Siberia, maintains a regional arbitration court to adjudicate commercial lawsuits and regulatory conflicts across the territory.
The Investigative Committee serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency tasked with investigating high-level corruption and crimes committed by public officials. Under Russian legal procedure, retired and active magistrates hold special legal protections, meaning criminal charges against judicial officers require clearance from the Higher Qualification Board of Judges before prosecutors can proceed.
Related judicial corruption cases
The case against the Irkutsk Oblast arbitration judges follows other recent corruption investigations involving judicial figures. The Investigative Committee previously reported that it completed its criminal investigation into Sergey Kostulin, the chairman of the Antratsit City Court, who was also charged with corruption offences.
