MOSCOW, August 20 (RAPSI) – The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation upheld a decision of the Higher Judges' Qualifications Board giving consent to the opening of a criminal case against former justice of peace in Moscow Nagatinsky 25th Judicial Sub-District Svetlana Samgina, RAPSI reports from the courtroom on Thursday.

The Court dismissed the administrative claim submitted by Samgina.

The hearings were held in camera since both the ex-justice and representatives of the Investigative Committee cited court materials protected by the secrecy of investigation.

This May, the Board gave its consent to open a case against Samgina on charges of serious fraud, attempted fraud, and mediation in bribery.

Earlier, mass media outlets reported that in 2017 Samgina acted as an intermediary in deal where a 500,000 euros was given to a St. Petersburg investigator.

The former justice denies she was involved in this crime.