Gaizer was has been arrested together with his deputy Aleksey Chenov on charges of fraud and organized crime, Interfax reports.

Another 13 individuals will be detained in the case, regional prosecutors say, among them head of the regional parliament Igor Kovzel.

According to prosectors, the organized activities have been going on since 2006 and stretched across several regions and countries, Rbc.ru reports.

Gaizer has been regional leader for a number of years and has served in several high posts in the United Russia party.

BarentsObserver will follow up the case