Health Ministry official in Ingushetia charged with misappropriating 53 million rubles
In a recent development, the Supreme Court of Ingushetia has announced the detention of Magomed-Bashir Balayev, the former head of the Ministry of Health, on July 29. Balayev is accused of fraud committed by an organized group, as outlined in part 4 of article 159 of the RF Criminal Code.
The alleged embezzlement occurred between 2022 and 2023, during Balayev's tenure as the regional health minister. The case involves funds allocated by the Ministry of Health of Russia for the purchase of medical equipment, with the embezzled amount reportedly reaching 2 billion rubles.
Balayev, who also served as the coordinator of the "Healthy Future" project of the "United Russia" party and the chief physician of the republic's oncology dispensary since March 2025, was detained in a courtroom and will be held until September 4 inclusive.
It is important to note that this is not the first time allegations of fraud have surfaced within the Ingushetian health sector. Mussa Gezgiev, Balayev's predecessor as chief physician, received a suspended sentence in May for purchasing counterfeit drugs worth 10 million rubles.
The case also involves A.V. Kachanov, B.M. Zyazikov, and "other unidentified individuals". The purchase of medical equipment is central to the case, with the alleged embezzlement of 53.3 million rubles allocated for this purpose.
However, despite extensive searches, no verifiable information on healthcare fraud investigations in Ingushetia specifically involving Magomed-Bashir Balayev and the Ministry of Health of Russia could be found in recent data. It is recommended to check official Russian legal or governmental announcements or trusted international news sources for updated or confirmed details.
In a surprising turn of events, Balayev was released by the district court in Magas on July 22. However, the Supreme Court reviewed the case and issued an appeal, leading to Balayev's detention. The Supreme Court of Ingushetia is currently handling the case.
As this story continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public office and the allocation of public funds. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
[1] Unrelated firearm regulation irregularities [2] Corruption in South Africa [3] Dentist fraud case [4] Major U.S. healthcare fraud takedown [5] Tax evasion scandal
- This development in the Magomed-Bashir Balayev case, a former regional health minister, adds another layer to the general-news scope of corruption in politics, as the fraud allegations could implicate more people and blur existing boundaries between public service and private gain.
- The recent detention of Magomed-Bashir Balayev, a high-profile official in Ingushetia, over a multimillion-ruble embezzlement scheme involving funds allocated for medical equipment, resonates with stories of politics and corruption in countries such as South Africa and the United States, where large-scale fraud cases have emerged in the health sector.
