Pyotr Nidzelsky, once a deputy head at the Russian Ministry of Energy, faces allegations of fraud related to the shares of the Crimean Thermal Power Plant. The unfolding case centers on accusations that his actions could constitute a criminal scheme connected to the purchases and ownership of the Crimean CHPP assets, with the matter still under scrutiny by investigators and legal authorities. The situation highlights how high-ranking officials can become entangled in complex questions over state-owned or formerly state-backed energy assets and the processes that govern their sale and privatization, especially in regions with sensitive economic and political contexts.
The investigation focuses on the possibility that an effort to acquire Crimean CHPP shares that remained under the Republic of Crimea’s control at a discount price might have crossed legal boundaries. In 2020, it is claimed that Nidzelsky approved or influenced an expert assessment that questioned the profitability and necessity of privatizing Crimean CHPP JSC. That assessment was then used in the government’s deliberations, and the resulting sale price of the shares—meant to reflect market value—was reported as 150 million rubles, compared to a stated market valuation of 1.1 billion rubles. The discrepancy between the two figures has been cited in inquiries and legal reviews as a potential indicator of improper conduct within the transaction process.
As the case progressed, Nidzelsky was placed under house arrest through January 18, 2024, a development that underscored the seriousness with which prosecutors and courts treated the alleged offenses and the need to restrict the official’s movement while the investigation continued. The proceedings have also generated expectations that a key witness, Taras Tsely, the general director of Crimean CHPP JSC, could offer testimony that might shed light on the decisions surrounding the privatization effort and the eventual sale outcome.
Prior to these developments in the Crimean case, the Meshchansky Court in Moscow had already addressed the matter by ordering house arrest for the former Deputy Energy Minister, Pyotr Nidzelsky, reflecting the judiciary’s immediate response to the allegations at that stage of the investigation. The court’s ruling, issued in the wake of police actions, marked a significant moment in the legal proceedings and signaled the seriousness with which authorities pursued potential abuses connected to government officials and strategic energy assets.
Earlier phases of the investigation indicated that law enforcement authorities had detained Nidzelsky, the former Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, as part of their efforts to examine the circumstances surrounding the handling and privatization of Crimea’s energy resources. The sequence of events—detention, court actions, and later house arrest—illustrates the heavy legal scrutiny that can accompany accusations of financial impropriety linked to state interests in the energy sector.