Ex-Vidjayevo Head Suspected in Dumping Case

The Murmansk Region Prosecutor«s Office reviewed the criminal case against former head of the closed administrative-territorial entity (ZATO) of Vidjayevo, Sergei Bogza, and deemed its initiation lawful and justified.

According to investigators, in 2024–2025, while serving as head of ZATO Vidjayevo, Bogza issued illegal orders regarding the storage sites for construction waste. The waste was generated from the demolition of dilapidated houses and apartment renovations.

Investigators believe the ex-official acted out of selfish motives — to receive an illegal reward from a commercial organization in Murmansk. As a result, the company did not have to pay for the removal of construction waste.

A quarry on the territory of ZATO Vidjayevo, which had not been used for this purpose before, was chosen for waste storage. This led to an unauthorized landfill, caused environmental harm, and inflicted damages on the state and municipality totaling over 6.8 million rubles (approximately $75,600 at current rates).

The criminal case was opened under the article on abuse of official powers. The maximum penalty under this article is up to 10 years in prison with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years.

Earlier, in early 2023, Sergei Bogza found himself at the center of a scandal after a video appeared on social media showing him involved in a conflict with a serviceman. Bogza later acknowledged his role in the incident, clarifying that he intervened after witnessing a quarrel between drunk men and young people.

We also showed how FSB officers detained Sergei Bogza.