The Prosecutor General's Office filed a lawsuit for the nationalization of companies associated with United Russia deputy of the Chelyabinsk region parliament, Konstantin Strukov, state agencies report. Among them is 'Yuzhuralzoloto' — one of the largest gold mining companies in the country. The lawsuit claims that Strukov, using his position in the authorities, illegally gained control over the company 'Yuzhuralzoloto', which he previously headed. Based on it, he created PJSC 'Yuzhuralzoloto Group of Companies' (YGC). Currently, the asset is registered to the deputy's daughter, Alexandra Strukova, who has Swiss citizenship. At the end of 2024, a 'subsidiary' of Gazprombank bought 22% in 'Yuzhuralzoloto', and the Strukovs' share has now decreased to 67.85%.
'Yuzhuralzoloto' ranks third in terms of gold mining volumes in Russia. The company's assets include deposits in the Chelyabinsk region, Khakassia, and the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
As 'Interfax' writes, within the framework of the same lawsuit, the supervisory authority also asks to transfer to the state shares in several companies owned by individuals who, according to the prosecutor's office, act as nominal holders of Strukov's assets.
'Due to being in the representative body for more than 24 years, Strukov has acquired unlimited influence on the administrative and power structures of the region and today acts as the actual head of the legislative body,' says the justification for the lawsuit, which a source familiar with 'Interfax' has reviewed.
The day before, employees of the regional departments of the FSB and the Investigative Committee conducted searches in YGC divisions as part of criminal cases on violations of environmental protection and industrial safety rules.
Amid the news, shares of the company 'Yuzhuralzoloto' fell by 17%.