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Russian Police Whistle-Blower Released From Prison


Major Igor Matveyev had been sentenced to four years in prison for abuse of office. (file photo)
Major Igor Matveyev had been sentenced to four years in prison for abuse of office. (file photo)

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia -- A former Russian Interior Ministry officer who was sent to prison after claiming that soldiers were fed dog food has been released. He had served more than four years.

Major Igor Matveyev made headlines in May 2011 after he claimed that soldiers in Russia's Far East were given to eat dog food to save money.

He said in a video that the dog food labels on the cans had been covered with labels reading "premium quality beef."

In September 2011, Matveyev was stripped of his military rank and sentenced to four years in prison for abuse of office. His term was later extended by five more months.

Investigators eventually discovered his claims to be well-founded.

After his release from prison in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok on February 8, Matveyev said he would continue "seeking justice."

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