Mykhailo Chechetov

Mykhailo Vasylyovych Chechetov was a Russian-born Ukrainian politician. He was a former first deputy head of the Party of Regions parliamentary faction; and de facto its Chief Whip. Chechetov committed suicide on 27 February 2015.

Biography

Chechetov was born 3 October 1953 in the village of Lyubimovka in current Russia; then the village was part of the USSR. In 1979 he graduated from the Kharkiv Engineering and Economics Institute with a degree in economics and organization of mining industry. From 1971 to 1982 he worked as a mechanic in a coal mine in Yenakiyevo. And from 1982 till 1994, Chechetov was a teacher at the Kharkiv Engineering and Economics Institute.
From 1994 till 1997 Chechetov was a member of the Liberal Party of Ukraine. In the 1994 Ukrainian parliamentary election he was elected into parliament and joined the faction Socio-market choice. In 1998 and 1999 he served as Deputy Minister of Economy. From September 1999 to April 2003 Chechetov was First Deputy Chairman of the State Property Fund of Ukraine. From 1998 to 2005 Chechetov was a member of various economic commissions under President Kuchma. In the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2007 Ukrainian parliamentary election and 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election he returned to parliament for the Party of Regions. After 2012 he became first deputy head of the party's parliamentary faction; and de facto its Chief Whip. Chechetov did not take part in the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election.
On 20 January 2015 the General Prosecutor's Office informed Chechetov of suspicion of abuse of power and forgery. On 21 February he was bailed out for almost ₴5 million.
Chechetov committed suicide on the night of 27 February 2015 by jumping from the window of his apartment, located on the 17th floor. He left behind his wife Natalia Chechetov and his daughter Tatiana Chechetov-Terashvili.