Ex-Colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Zakharchenko is studying to become an operator of a drying plant in a penal colony

Ex-colonel of the Russian Interior Ministry Dmitry Zakharchenko, after being transferred to penal colony No. 49 (IK-49, Komi Republic), participates in the life of the correctional institution and even learns a new profession. Zakharchenko told about this on November 13, giving Izvestia the answers through lawyer Alexei Razgonov.

"I am focused on obtaining sought—after professions - at the moment I am mastering the specialty of a drying plant operator. My life at the institution is not limited to basic responsibilities. I am actively involved in public activities, regularly participate in sports and cultural events, and have already been awarded diplomas for first places," Zakharchenko explained.

He added that he had an even relationship with his cellmates.

"I am a proponent of healthy communication and always try to maintain a calm atmosphere in the team. If there were any difficulties or bias, their source was not the environment of the convicts, but the purposeful position of the FSIN [Federal Penitentiary Service] staff, in particular, in IK-5 [Republic of Mordovia]," Zakharchenko emphasized.

Earlier, on November 30, 2023, it was reported that Zakharchenko was serving a 16-year sentence in a high-security penal colony following two court verdicts for bribes of 1.4 billion rubles. According to the investigation, from 2007 to 2016, the former colonel of the Russian Interior Ministry systematically received bribes from an organized group. He was charged with receiving them and abuse of office.

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