Mordovexpocenter was returned to the ownership of the Republic of Mordovia

The Mordovexpocenter exhibition complex was returned to the ownership of the Republic of Mordovia. This was announced on October 13 by the head of the region, Artem Zdunov.

Until that moment, the complex belonged to the Development Corporation of the Republic of Mordovia. It was sold for 271 million rubles, while the market value was about 54 million rubles. The fraud with the deal was carried out by Alexey Merkushin, the former vice-governor of the region and the son of the ex-head of Mordovia, Alexander Merkushin, who was sentenced to seven years in a high-security penal colony.

The Mordovexpocenter has been returned to the ownership of the republic — the space and buildings belong to Mordovia again. <...> The place should become a point of attraction for walks, creativity, recreation and meetings," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to the governor, the government of Mordovia is already developing a master plan for the development of the territory, including landscaping, updating lighting and creating an ice rink in winter.

Family offerings: Merkushkin, the son of the ex-head of Mordovia, was given 7 years in a penal colony

Why was the sentence for fraud and bribery twice as lenient as the prosecutor demanded?

The son of the former head of Mordovia, Merkushin, was detained in May 2021 at Sheremetyevo Airport when he was about to fly to Minsk. Later, on September 5, 2025, he was sentenced to seven years in a high-security penal colony. He must also pay a fine of 150 million rubles. In addition, the court decided to recover 43 million rubles from him in favor of the Development Corporation of the Republic of Mordovia. The property of the former governor's son was seized.

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