Russia makes arrests after dozens of people suspected of contracting botulism

Russian investigators have arrested and charged three people after more than 120 people in Moscow and dozens in other cities fell ill with suspected food poisoning.

Russia’s Investigative Committee for Serious Crimes said it had arrested the head of a food manufacturer and the director and head of quality control of a food delivery service.

The Interfax news agency reported that more than 120 people in Moscow had sought medical attention because they had symptoms of poisoning and suspected botulism. Botulism is a rare, life-threatening disease that attacks the body’s nerves and causes breathing problems and muscle paralysis. The bacteria that cause the disease can enter the body through poorly preserved food.

Interfax reported that nearly 30 people with botulism symptoms were also admitted to hospitals in the cities of Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow.

Dozens of people in the three cities are in intensive care. An official in Moscow quoted by Interfax said the patients were under constant observation and their symptoms were not life-threatening.

The committee of inquiry said it had concluded that the food companies had violated numerous hygiene and epidemiological standards, including failing to submit laboratory test reports and inadequate production control.

Investigators said they also accused the two men of aiding the illegal immigration of Uzbek citizens. Many food suppliers in Russia come from Central Asian countries.