Theft of RUS 15 million revealed at Baikonur complex
ASTANA. June 26. KAZINFORM - The department of economic security and anti-corruption of Ministry of Internal Affairs has identified and documented the fact of theft of 15 million rubles at the Baikonur complex, has been reported to RBC by the press service of the State Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Moscow region. It should be reminded that space complex is officially attributed to Podmoskovye (Moscow region).
Security officials opened a criminal case under article "Cheating on a large scale." Stealing occurred out at one of the local state-owned unitary enterprises, the name of whichhas not been disclosed.
It is not known who are formally charged. The criminal investigation is ongoing.
In mid-November 2012 it was reported that Russia and Kazakhstan were discussing the possibility of Baikonur's withdrawal from the Russian lease, but later the chairman of the National Space Agency of Kazakhstan Talgat Musabayev said that Moscow and Astana would again form the intergovernmental commission concerning the complex.
Under current arrangements, Russia leases Baikonur from Kazakhstan until 2050. Rental price amounts to $ 115 million per year, Baikonur's operating cost for Moscow is RUS 5 billion.