RBC reported Friday, citing three sources, that investigators are examining two contracts between Rosmolodyozh and Synergy University dated 2023 and 2024, with a combined value of 40.5 million rubles ($492,000). Authorities detained Denis Ashirov, a deputy head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh), in the inquiry, RBC reported.
The case concerns two agreements with Synergy University signed in 2023 and 2024. RBC reported that investigators are examining Ashirov’s oversight of the contracts and his approval of the university’s work. The Moscow Times reported that Ashirov has served as the agency’s state secretary and deputy head since July 2022.
Synergy said the contracts funded online training for youth workers. It described the courses’ purpose as “preventing negative social phenomena.”
The university said customer experts reviewed and accepted its work, with authorized officials signing completion documents. It said both projects met their deadlines and that seven organizations took part in open tenders for the contracts. Synergy also said antitrust authorities found no violations.
The Moscow Times reported that RBC and Russian state media said raids Friday led to the detention of Mikhail Yerofeyev, Synergy’s vice rector for regional development. The university said no staff member had faced charges.
Rosmolodyozh organizes educational forums and offers grants for projects led by young people.
