The Vladivostok Frunzensky District Court rejected the Investigation petition to arrest Bolshoi Kamen mayor Rustyam Abushaev in absentia, who is wanted in a fraud case. On Friday, May 5, DEA News reported.
The mayor had previously appeared on the federal wanted list and released a video message claiming to be near the area where Russia was conducting its special military operation in Ukraine.
On March 22, 2023, Abushaev was detained in absentia. The Primorsky District Court later overturned the arrest warrant for procedural violations. In early May, prosecutors submitted the question of preventive measures for new consideration.
The unified press service of the regional judicial system stated that the Frunzensky District Court of Vladivostok refused to grant a detention measure for Abushaev.
At the same time, no other restraining measures were imposed on him.
The core charges
Between 2019 and 2021, Abushaev led the Nadezhda district of Primorsky Krai. He is accused of land fraud in a scheme involving two plots designated for a disabled person in the De-Vries area and in the village of Klyuchevoi in 2019–2020. Reports indicate that the defendants also include the former deputy head of the district and a former expert in the local government’s architecture and urban planning department, according to VladNews.
Investigators allege that the land was registered in the name of non-beneficiaries and later divided into 22 plots, which were used at the discretion of the accused and associates. The market value of these plots exceeded 54 million rubles, and they were transferred to third parties without legitimate rights.
The district attorney’s office seeks to convert all illegally registered lands into municipal property.
Abushaev is also accused of participating in the management of a commercial enterprise through proxies from 2015 to 2022. The company involved provides commercial space for rent.
Due to the lack of information about Abushaev’s whereabouts, he was placed on the federal wanted list. The Bolshekamensk administration’s press service reported that until April 18 he was on official leave and had not resigned.
Involvement in the SVO
One day before the holiday ended, on April 17, Abushaev issued a message through a Telegram channel, attracting attention.
“Dear friends. I am currently in a special military operations zone. I decided to come here long ago, but I felt a strong obligation, especially when attending events for the families of those mobilized. This is our Motherland, our people, and I want to protect our country and our people. We will return with a victory. I will try to share updates as much as possible. Your support warms our warriors, and it is truly needed here. Take care of yourselves and one another.” This statement appeared in a publication attributed to him.
No official confirmation has been issued about Abushaev’s participation in the special operation.
On April 22, the commander of the Primorsky volunteer detachment Tiger said that Abushaev was serving with the unit and suggested the official would make himself look good. The military noted that the mayor was in Pavlovka at that time. The situation remains under official review and monitoring by regional authorities, with ongoing legal proceedings addressing the charges and the status of Abushaev’s movements.