Four Allegedly Collected Credit Cards From The Wreckage And Used Them

After a weekend of vigorous denials, the Russian government is admitting that four guards assigned to safeguard the wreckage of the Polish airliner which went down killing 96 people, including Poland's president, took bank cards belonging to the victims and used them to withdraw funds from their accounts.

Vladimir V. Markin, speaking for the Investigative Committee of the Russian General Prosecutor, said the four conscripts had been arrested and charged with theft by an organized group, according to the New York Times. The four have reportedly admitted their guilt and are cooperating.

Prosecutors in Warsaw said that almost immediately after the crash, some $1,700 was withdrawn from the account of a Polish official, and repeated attempts continued throughout the day.

Investigators said five cards were stolen in all, and the thieves were able to withdraw just under $1,900 dollars, or over 60 thousand rubles, from the account of Adnrzej Przewoznik, who oversaw war memorials and commemorations for Poland. Both Polish and Russian officials are taking credit for uncovering the theft. The Russian government has pledged to pay the money back.

FMI: http://eng.genproc.gov.ru