Oboronservice case is biggest recent corruption scandal in Russia – poll

MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) – The Oboronservice case and the consequent dismissal of Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov are the most high-profile corruption scandals Russia has had lately, sociologists told Interfax on Thursday. Seventy-two percent of Russians know about it, they said.

Thirty-three percent of the respondents paid attention to corruptive practices at the Russian Regional Development Ministry and theft of funds assigned for the APEC Vladivostok summit, and 32% were aware of the embezzlement of Glonass funds, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center reports.

There is no unanimity about causes of the corruption scandals: 45% link them with the fulfillment of anti-corruption promises President Vladimir Putin gave in his election campaign, and 45% think it is an internal political struggle and settling of a score. Supporters of United Russia (60%) and residents of small towns and villages (51-52%) tend to support the first opinion, while supporters of A Just Russia (62%), supporters of the Communist Party (63%), supporters of non-parliamentary parties (70%) and Muscovites and residents of St. Petersburg (53%) disagree with them.

Fifty-five percent believe that Serdyukov should have been fired much earlier because the Armed Forces status worsened while he held the office. The opinion was mostly expressed by supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party (66%), supporters of the Communist Party (68%) and supporters of non-parliamentary parties (66%).

Thirty-two percent believe it was a timely dismissal due to corruption suspicions about the ex-minister’s subordinates. United Russia supporters (39%) and young people (39%) expressed that opinion. Only 4% think that the dismissal of Serdyukov was premature.

The center polled 1,600 adults in 138 towns and cities in 46 regions on November 17-18.