Former Aeroflot chief executive Mikhail Poluboyarinov has been arrested in Russia and is facing corruption-related charges, according to reports from local media sources.
A court in Moscow ordered that Poluboyarinov be held in pre-trial detention while investigations into allegations of abuse of power continue. Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the full details of the case or the specific actions that led to the charges.
Poluboyarinov served as the head of Russia’s national carrier, Aeroflot, from November 2020 until March 2022. He left the position shortly after being sanctioned by the European Union.
Following his departure from the airline, he reportedly joined Rostec, a major Russian state-owned corporation, in 2023.
Before leading Aeroflot, Poluboyarinov occupied several senior positions within Russia’s financial and transport sectors, including roles at VEB.RF, Vnesheconombank and the State Transport Leasing Company.
Sources familiar with the investigation believe the case may be linked to activities that took place during his time at VEB.RF, where he worked between 2009 and 2019.
One source indicated that the incident attracting the attention of law enforcement authorities dates back to 2016, although further information has not been made public.
The investigation comes amid increased scrutiny of former executives associated with state institutions. Earlier this year, Artem Dovlatov, a senior official at VEB.RF and a board member of a government-backed development corporation, was placed under house arrest over separate allegations of abuse of power linked to a bank restructuring carried out in 2016.
Russian authorities have yet to release additional details regarding the allegations against Poluboyarinov or the progress of the ongoing investigation.
