Former Deputy Prime Minister of the Kirov Region Maria Gaidar on Tuesday spoke in the Leninsky District Court of Kirov at a hearing on the case of organizing theft from the Kirovles State Unitary Enterprise, in which oppositionist Alexey Navalny and businessman Pyotr Ofitserov are involved.

Maria Gaidar was called as a defense witness. Gaidar in 2009 (until 2011), when, according to the prosecution, the theft was organized, she held the position of adviser to Governor Nikita Belykh and his deputy on social issues. Navalny at that time was an advisor to the Belykhs on a voluntary basis.

Maria Gaidar’s questions from the defense were asked by both Navalny himself and the lawyers. Gaidar said that a number of administration officials, including Belykh, Navalny and herself, were living at the Black Lake government residence near Kirov at that time. She spoke about the powers of the governor's adviser - in particular, that he can “give advice,” but does not have the right to sign documents. She said that Navalny was initially offered another position, with greater powers, but he refused. According to Gaidar, a lawyer in the administration worked with unprofitable enterprises. She also noted that she heard Alexei Navalny harshly criticize the management of Kirovles, in particular, the former general director Vyacheslav Opalev.

Gaidar's interrogation was unexpectedly interrupted for 5 minutes by the decision of judge Sergei Blinov. He called a break without explaining the reasons and left the courtroom. The meeting continued after his return. After his defense, Gaidar was questioned by the prosecutor.

The Leninsky Court of Kirov has been considering the “Kirovles case” since April 17. According to investigators, Navalny, as an adviser to the regional governor, organized the theft of the enterprise's property, conspiring with the director of Vyatka Timber Company LLC, Pyotr Ofitserov, and the general director of KOGUP, Vyacheslav Opalev. The damage caused to the budget of the Kirov region was estimated by the Investigative Committee at 16 million rubles. Navalny, who is nominated as a candidate for the post of mayor of Moscow, faces up to 10 years in prison.

Maria Gaidar testified in court in the Navalny case