MOSCOW, September 14 (RAPSI) – The Supreme Court of Russia has upheld a decision of the Higher Judges' Qualifications Board granting the launch of a criminal case against the former Chair of the Novosibirsk Regional Court Rimma Shatovkina, according to the highest instance’s press service.

In May, the Board gave its consent to opening of a case over abuse of office agaist Shatovkina.

Reportedly, in 2018, then judge alerted the regional government to the searches in a magistrate office as part of an embezzlent case. Investigators believe her actions could lead to the destruction of evidence by defendants.