Former head of Kemerovo Health Ministry becomes defendant in bribery case

TASS reports that a case has been opened against Beglov. The measure of restraint for the former official will be chosen today in the Central District Court of Kemerovo. The preliminary investigation materials claim that the minister allegedly received the bribe from January to June 2025.

The money was allegedly intended not only for concluding contracts for the purchase and supply of medical devices and medical supplies, but also for general patronage.

The court's report states that the head of a separate division in the city of Kemerovo, OOO Medtrade - SRC, allegedly "acting intentionally, for selfish reasons, with the purpose of giving a large bribe, personally transferred large amounts of money to the Minister of Health of Kuzbass."

Law enforcement officers detained the defendant on June 7 on suspicion of committing crimes under paragraph "b" of Part 4 and 5 of Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (giving a bribe to an official on an especially large scale). He was charged the same day. The selection of a preventive measure took place on June 9. The court file indicates that the person in question is Sergei Ksenzov.

Dmitry Beglov headed the Ministry of Health of the Kemerovo Region since April 2022. The official announced his resignation on June 6, 2025. He did not disclose the reasons for his dismissal at the time, but noted that in his post he “worked with dedication, delving into existing problems, responding to every request and trying to help.”