United Russia Lawmaker in Yakutsk Ousted in Drug Scandal

MOSCOW, January 13 (RIA Novosti) – A lawmaker in Russia’s northern republic of Yakutia has been expelled from the ruling party’s faction after being found under the influence of drugs at a local movie theater, officials said Monday.

Anton Bushin, who represented the United Russia party in Yakutsk city council, faces a probe by the ethics commission after he was detained by drug-control officials on January 3.

Bushin was fined for appearing drug intoxicated at the theater. A later search at his firm’s office found a stash of hash oil and an employee who was also under the influence of drugs, local news site News.Ykt.Ru reported.

The ethics commission will decide whether he should be stripped off his seat in the legislature.

Bushin said that he would appeal against the actions of drug-control officials, Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported.

Health risks of different drugs

© RIA Novosti

A spokesman for the party told the news site that Bushin had not been a member of United Russia, but had been included on its list at the election after winning a primary contest for new candidates.