Putin Names Justice Minister As Chief Prosecutor

Sacked Russian Prosecutor-General Vladimir Ustinov (file photo) (official site) June 19, 2006 -- President Vladimir Putin has nominated Justice Minister Yury Chaika to become Russia's new prosecutor-general.

Chaika replaces Vladimir Ustinov, who resigned in a surprise move on June 2. Ustinov had occupied the post for six years.


Ustinov's departure followed criticism by Putin that Russia is failing to combat corruption, and the firing of a number of law enforcement officials in May.


Speaker Sergei Mironov said he expects the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, to back Chaika's nomination in a vote on June 23.


Chaika served for four years as deputy prosecutor-general before becoming justice minister in 1999.


(compiled from agency reports)


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