Media: Kardo Festival Director Detained in Stavropol for Fraud
The new work year in Stavropol Krai appears to have begun with a loud corruption scandal. On Friday, January 23, 2026, in Stavropol, the general director of the street culture and sports festival «Kardo», Valentin Rabotenko, was detained, reports «Bloknot» citing its source.
According to preliminary information, the director and two of his subordinates are suspected of fraud. Allegedly, Valentin Rabotenko, as well as operational director Korolyova Ya. and financial director Grudnyov V., could have produced and submitted 105 fake airplane tickets to the Ministry of Youth Policy of Stavropol Krai — for participants of the «Kardo» festival, but no one used these tickets. The documents were accepted and approved, despite possible discrepancies.
After an inspection, a criminal case was initiated under the article «Fraud». On January 21, searches were allegedly conducted in organizations and departments involved in the case.
The head of the «Kardo» festival, Valentin Rabotenko, and two of his accomplices have been detained and placed in isolation under Article 91 of the Russian Criminal Procedure Code.
Separate attention, according to media reports, was drawn to the fact that on the eve of the investigative actions, the head of the supervising ministry was hospitalized. It is this department that approved the financial reporting and data on the number of festival participants.
Who exactly approved the documents, why the reports were accepted without remarks, and whether new persons involved will appear in the case — remains to be established by the investigation.
At the time of publication, no official comments had been received from Valentin Rabotenko, the Ministry of Youth Policy of Stavropol Krai, or law enforcement agencies.
Recall that the street culture and sports festival «Kardo» is held in Stavropol annually. In 2025, the «Kardo» festival took place in Stavropol under pouring rain — but this did not stop either participants or spectators. Dancing in the downpour, loud music, battles, and full venues became one of the most discussed details of the event. Read about how the festival went in our separate material.
