Suspended St. Petersburg University Rector Rejects Plea Deals as Asset Seizure Case Deepens

Overview

• - Aleksandr Zapesotsky said he will not enter any agreements that require admitting theft or abuse, noting he is aware a criminal case may be under consideration.
• - He announced plans to sue a media outlet for $1 million over alleged damage to his reputation.
• - Responding to reports on spending, he defended flying business class on age, status and health grounds, after Kommersant cited about 74 million rubles on trips and 20 million on enhanced security-related housing.
• - An arbitration court ordered the seizure and return of an academic building, a dormitory and other SPbGUP properties to the state, suspended Zapesotsky, and installed Evgeny Lubashev as acting rector.
• - RIA Novosti reported that his son holds Israeli citizenship and manages a Monaco-registered property company mentioned in coverage of the case.