The mayor of the Russian city of Volgograd standing trial on fraud charges has told court he is stepping down, Itar-Tass reports.

Yevgeny Ishchenko made the statement before the beginning of another day of hearings on Monday.

In part, Ishchenko said he was reluctant “to make the people of the city hostages of the situation on the eve of the winter season.”

“Perfectly aware that it was the people of Volgograd, who elected me mayor I am asking those whom I may have insulted, willfully or unwillfully, to forgive me. I made the decision to resign and to relieve myself of the Volgograd mayor’s duties consciously and of my own accord,” Ishchenko said.

The former mayor is facing charges under three articles of the criminal code — abuse of office, illegal business activity for the sake of personal selfish interests and illegal keeping of ammunition.

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