Magnitskiy 1

From: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.
net>
Senttime: 06/11/201607:09:18AM
To: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: RE:ViktorIvanov
ThatswhyIwrotecouldbeinthatsameparaButIshouldhavewrittensomethinglikesupposedlyorreportedlyinthe
firstsentence,soIllcomebacktoitandqualifytheremark.Ivewrittendozensoftimesanddidagainthistimethatwhenone
ofthesethingsstartsacampaign,apersonnelreshuffle,ashakeupthatalotofreasonsthatmayhavehadnothingtodo
withtheinitialmotivestartcomingintoplayasscoresaresettled,sothatsalwayssomethingtokeepinmind.
From:RobertOtto[mailto:robertotto25@gmail.com]
Sent:Saturday,June11,20163:25AM
To:WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Subject:ViktorIvanov
AllthisstuffabouttheguysresigningandtheirtiestoViktormightbetrue..butthenagainmightnot.
IvefollowedVoronin,forexample,foryearsandtheVIconnectioncomesupONLYafterheresignsand
BigVikhaslostandrefusedanotherpost.
WhydidntitcomeupwithRussoChekistoorMagnitskiyortheNDSscams?
Alloftheseleaksabouttherelationshipmayjustbemisdirectionandthereareotherreasonsforwhatsgoing
on.
From: Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Senttime: 06/30/201605:59:13PM
To: PeterReddaway<pbreddaway@gmail.com>
Cc: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Subject: Re:InternetNotes10June2016
HisKryshawasMurovwhocouldnolongerprotecthimandwasoustedseveralweeksafterthearrest.
SentfrommyiPad
OnJun30,2016,at6:05PM,PeterReddaway<pbreddaway@gmail.com>wrote:
Thanksforthis,Wayne.
Intheperiodc.2004-2010,whichIstudiedforthepaperIsentyou3weeksago,DMwasvery
aggressiveandwasclearlyunderaStPetersburgkrysha,whichIthinkmeant,ultimatelyatleast,
Bortnikov.SohisarrestinMarchmightbeawarningtoBortnikov,althoughalotofwatermay
haveflownunderthebridgesincetheperiodIwasstudying.
Best,
Peter
OnMon,Jun13,2016at10:35AM,WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>wrote:
Peter,thanksforthisMikhalchenkowasarrested.Itwasreportedinthenotesfor30March.Hehascomeupin
the31March,26,27,and31Mayandon7,9,and10June.Ireferredbacktothenotesform2007thatclaimed
MikhalchenkowasinvolvedinTsepovsmurder.Illsearchagainandseeifanythingturnsupearlierthanthat.
HeresthebitonMIkhalchenkobeingtakenintocustodyfrom30March:
DmitriyMikhalchenkotakenintocustody(TheFSBvsFSO/CultureMinistryscandal)
Seeyesterdaysnotes
http://en.news-4-u.ru/basmanny-court-has-arrested-billionaire-mikhalchenko-in-the-case-of-smuggling-of-elite-
alcohol.html
MoscowsBasmannycourthasapprovedthattheheadoftheholdingForumDmitryMikhalchenko,
previouslyquestionedinacriminalcaseofalcoholsmuggling,betakenintocustodyfortwomonths.
JudgeAndreyKarpovdismissedtherequestthatthebusinessmanbereleasedonbailof50millionrubles
accordingtoInterfax.
Mikhalchenkocategoricallydeniedhisinvolvementinsmugglingoranyplanstohidefromthe
investigation.Thebusinessmanalsotoldthejuryaboutattemptstopressurehisbusiness,inparticular
theconstructionofadeepwaterportBronka,whichhasbeenheadedbyOOOPhoenix.
TheRussianbillionaireisaccusedofsmugglingalcoholin2015,creatinganorganizedcrimegroup
thatshippedthealcoholfromtheportofHamburgundertheguiseofconstructionsealant.
Mikhalchenkowasaccusedofsmugglingofalcoholicbeveragesinanorganizedgroupinespecially
largequantity(part3ofarticle200.2oftheCriminalCode).HisDeputyBorisChorevski,Deputy
DirectorofOOOLogistikCentralNorthwest,AnatolyKindzerskaya,andtheDirectorofSouth-East
tradingcompany,IlyaPichko,werealsodetained.
Accordingtosomemediareports,MikhalchenkoarrivedinMoscowonMarch28andwasdetainedthe
nextday.AccordingtoFontanka.ru,thedetentiontookplaceonWednesdaymorning.Hewas
detainedbyinvestigatorsofthecentralapparatusoftheFSBandwastakentotheInvestigative
Committee.Hewasdetainedfortwodays...
Mikhalchenkosnamewaspreviouslymentionedinconnectionwithacaseofmulti-million
embezzlementuncoveredintheMinistryofCulture.HeistheGeneralDirectorofamanagement
company,Forum.
OnMarch15and17,theGeneralDirectorofCJSCBaltstroy(partoftheForumholding),Dmitry
Sergeev,andBaltstroysAlexanderKochenovweretakenintocustodyonorderofMoscowsLefortovo
court.Theyaresuspectsinthecaseofamultimillionembezzlementofbudgetfundsallocatedforthe
restorationofanumberofculturalheritagesites.
ThemainsuspectinthiscaseistheDeputyMinisterofCulture,GregoryPirumov.On24Marchhewas
chargedwithchargedwithfraud.
From:PeterReddaway[mailto:pbreddaway@gmail.com]
Sent:Saturday,June11,20165:54PM
To:WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>;RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject:Re:InternetNotes10June2016
H
iWayneandBob,
ThisisjustaquicknoteaboutTsepov,Sechin,andMikhalchenko,
whomyou'vediscussedintworecentissues,Wayne,quotingareader
whoIsuspectisyou,Bob.
Betweenc.2004and2011Ididalotofresearchontheseandrelated
folks,puttingtheresultsintoa70pppaper,whichissupposedtobe
publishedsooninane-journal("Putin&theSilovikWars").
WhatstruckmeaboutMikhalchenkowerehisextraordinaryyouth
(about30in2005?),hisgreatpersonalambitionforwealthandpower,
andhisskillatcultivatingtheLeningradKGB.Idon'trecallanytiesto
MoscoworthelikesofSechinorZolotov-hewastooyoung.
Also,overthe5-6yearsafterTsepovwasassassinated,Idon'trecall
anyoneraisingthepossibilitythatMikhalchenkowasinanyway
involved.Certainlyhejumpedinaggressivelyandtookoverlarge
chunksofTsepov'sempire,sohecouldtheoreticallyhavehadamotive
inthisregard.Butthiswasalsotheopportunisticwayyou'dsimply
expectsomeoneofhischaractertoact.
Toconclude,onequestion-didyoumeanitwhenyouwrote2-3times
thathehadrecentlybeenarrested,andifso,forwhatandwhen?.And
onesmallfactualpoint:thebusinessco-runbyTsepovandZolotovwas
Baltik-Eskort(not-Eksport).
Withthanksonceagaintobothofyoufortheprodigiousamountof
outstandingworkthatyouproducedayinanddayout,
Yours,
Peter
OnFri,Jun10,2016at6:29PM,WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>wrote:
InternetNotes10June2016
MorechangesatFSB(FeoktistovMikhalchenko).1
MikhalchenkoandtheTsepovmurder?.2
MorefromRosbaltontheFSBpersonnelchanges.4
Strelkovssite:Theendisnear?.4
RussiasBraindrain.6
TheDumavs.IlyaPonomarev.7
Newsaggregatorswillberegulated.7
FrenchbankclosesRussiandiplomatsaccounts.8
CentralBanklowerskeyinterestrate.8
MorechangesatFSB(FeoktistovMikhalchenko)
http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2016/06/10/1522030.html
Theheads(nonamesgiven)oftheFSBsDirectoratesPandThaveresigned.Thosetwodirectorates,along
withK,whosehead,ViktorVoronin,hasalsoresigned,formthebackboneoftheFSBsEconomicSecurity
Service(SEB).DirectoratePhandlesindustrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,including
RussianRailwaysandaviation.TheheadofFSBSEB,YuriYakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutaswell.
RosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessorforYakovlevatFSBSEBistheFSBsheadoftheinternal
securitydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbereplacedbyhisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov.The
FSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
Comment:IwonderwhetherthepeopleatDirectoratesPandTwerealsoconnectedtoViktorIvanov,
asVoroninandRomodanovskiywere.Seeyesterdaysnotes.True,bothwerealsosupposedlylinked
toMikhalchenko,aswasMurov,butclanlinestendtooverlapandthekeyplayersallknowone
another.ItcouldbethatIvanovsdeparture,asIsuggestedyesterday,wasthebeginningofthe
unravellingofhisclannetworkwithinthespecialservicesandinotherkeyareasaswellsuchas
LarisaKalandaleavingherpostsatRosneft/Rosneftegaz.Mikhalchenkosnamecouldbedroppedas
apretexttogoafterIvanovspeople.
FeoktistovhascomeupinthesenotesbeforeinthematerialontheGUEBiPKscandalmentionedin
yesterdaysnotes.Heresabitfromthe14May2014notesthatmentionshim:
[MoreupdatesontheGUEBiPKscandalstory:
NovayaGazetarefutesSugrobovs(hisdeputyKolesnikov,alsoarrested,hasmadethesameclaim)claimheknewnothing
abouttheprovocationsanddidnotknowtheprovocateursusedbytheGUEBiPKinallegedlysettingupandframinga
numberofofficials.NovayahasinformationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,
whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVDDepartmentforEconomicSecurity(nowtheGUEBiPK):
http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/63516.html
InanopenlettertoPutin,postedonFacebookbyhislawyer,AntonTsetkov,SugrobovblameshistroublesonrivalsintheFSB
andSKheblamestheSKforfoulingupanumberofcorruptioncases(animpliesthattheywereprotectingcorruptofficials
andunderminingPutinsanti-corruptioncampaign).SugrobovalsodeniesthatheismarriedtoPresidentialAideKonstantin
ChuiychenkoswifessisterorthathehasbenefitedfromChuiychenkospatronage(asanumberofoursourceshavereported).
HefurtherclaimsthatFSBGeneralFeoktistovapproachedhimin2011,urginghimtoestablishrelationswithonetime1stDeputy
HeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev(FeoktistovclaimedthatKhorev,implicatedinthetax-rebateschemesthat
involvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiyaffair[See,forinstance,the20March2012notes],wassetto
becomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,andwouldagreetonameSugrobovhis
deputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:WehadreadthatpartofthestruggleinvolvingtheGUEBiPKwas
betweensupportersofKhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanevwroteontheties
betweenFeoktistovandKhorevbackin2011:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).Sugrobovendsbysayinghe
iswillingtotakeapolygraphtestandcallsonPutintomakesuretheinvestigationsofthechargesagainsthimandhis
subordinatesareobjective:http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
fbid=700657453313675&set=pcb.700658349980252&type=1&theater]
Comment:Foranyofthattomakesense,readerswillhavetoreferbacktosummationofthe
GUEBiPKscandal(uptothatpoint)Iincludedinthe31Marchnotes.TheGUEBiPKsSugrobovwas
connectedbyoursourcestoMevdedevslawyer/classmatesfaction,amongthemKonstantin
Chuiychenko,mentionedabove.Recallthisbitfromyesterdaysnotes:
[Thisitemhttp://www.moscow-post.com/politics/kto_za_vse_v_otvete21249/
claimsthatchargesagainstVoroninhavetodowithKsinvolvementinthecaseagainsttheMVDseconomicsecurity/anti-
corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,acaseinwhichtheformerheadofthatunit,DenisSugrobov,wasarrestedandstillawaitstrialon
corruptionchargesstemmingfromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.
Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwasalsoarrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhileincustody).
TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevsentourageandsomesaythatVoroninsdeparturefromtheFSB
SEBwasrevengebysomeofMedvedevspeoplefortheGUEBiPKcase.
Comment:RussiasoverlappingmoneylaunderingchannelsarevastandinvolvelotsofgamesapartfromtheMagnitskiy
affair,recallthelengthyGUEBiPKscandal,whichpointedtoaclashbetweentheMVDeconomicsecuritydepartment
(probablyalliedwithelementsintheProsecutorsoffice)andtheFSBanditsalliesintheInvestigativeCommittee.Thebattle
wassaidtobeovercontrollingmoneylaunderingchannels.Seethe31MarchnotesforarehashoftheGUEBiPKaffair.]
OnMikhalchenkorecallthebitfromyesterdaysnoteslinkinghimtotheTsepovmurderbackin2004:
[MikhalchenkoandtheTsepovmurder?
Comment:IrecentlycoveredPutinsconnectionstoorganizedcrimeinSt.Petersburg,connectionsthatincludedTsepov,in
the30Marchnotes.Brieflyput,Tsepovwasaracketeerandonetimeall-aroundfixerandbodyguardforMayorSobchakinSt.
Petersburg.Tsepovwastheco-founder,alongwithPutinbodyguardViktorZolotov,ofaSt.Petersburgsecurityfirm,Baltic
Eksport.TsepovapparentlytriedtoinsinuatehimselfintotheYukosaffairasamediatorIsuspectedatthetimethatthiswas
thereasonhewasassassinated.ZolotovattendedTsepovsfuneral.ThekillingofTsepovshookuptheelite,creatingquitea
scandal.IhadSechinandDeripaska,whowasalsointerestedinYukos,aslikelysuspectsinthemurderTsepovreportedly
triedtopasshimselfoffasDeripaskasrepresentative.TherehavebeenclaimsthatTsepov,likeLitvinenko,waspoisoned
withpolonium.
Thisitem(http://putinism.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/roma_tsepov/#more-146),anupdatetoanearlierarticleonPutinand
Tsepov,claimsthatFSBagentDmitriyMikhachenkokilledTsepovwithpolonium-poisonedteaattheSt.PetersburgFSB
office.MikhalchenkosubsequentlytookoverTsepovsbusinesses.ZolotovhadbeenTsepovspatron,butMikhalchenkohad
theFSBsBortnikovasakrysha.Thus,ZolotovandBortnikovhavelongbeenenemiesNemtsovwaskilledbyKadyrovand
Zolotov,theinvestigationconductedunderBortnikov.
Ane-mailfromthereaderwhosentthis:ThearticleisabitstrangesincetherecentinfoisthatMikhalchenkoisallmobbedupwiththe
FSO/MurovandthetargetoftheFSB.
Thatsaid,ifMikhalchenkowasinvolved,wehaveareasontothinktheresenmitybetweenMikhalchenkoandZolotov(andmaybeMurov,
toosinceheseemstobetheMikhalchenkokryshanow)..andZolotovandBortnikov?
In2004,whenTsepovwasmurdered,BortnikovwasoutofStP,btw.UptoFebruary2004heheadedtheFSBinStP,buthethenwentto
headtheFSBsSEB(whenhemetVoronin?),takingtheonetimeallegedlysuperinfluentialZaostrovtsevs(trikita)place.
YuriyIgnashchenkovtookBortnikovsplaceinStPandwasserving(nopunintended)whenTsepovwaspoisonedinSeptember.
Inshort,justhowmuchifnotallofthisstuffaprovocationisnotclear,butthatdoesntmakeitlessinterestinginlightofalltheother
stuffgoingon]
Comment:IincludedquiteabitofmaterialonMikhalchenkospossibleinvolvementintheTsepov
murderinnotesfromyearspast.Inthe5September2007notes,forinstance,Iincludedmaterialon
ChaykascampaignagainstTambovgangsterVladimirKumarinandoneitemhadKumarinas
possiblybeinginvolvedintheTsepovassassination,withheandSechinusingMikhalchenkoaspartof
theplantogetridofTsepov.TsepovwasconnectedwithalltheSt.Petersburgsiloviky,buthis
strongerconnectionswerewiththeMVDandFSO,MikhalchenkossupposedlywiththeFSB,asin
theitemabove.
MikhalchenkotookoverTsepovsnicheinSt.PetersburgafterTsepovsdeath.Inthosenotes,Ihad
Sechin,KumarinandtheiralliesintheFSBkillingTsepovbecausehetriedtoinsinuatehimselfinto
theYukosaffairandrepresentedaroadblocktoKumarinsfriendMikhalchenkosambitiontotake
overTsepovssecuritybusiness/fixerroleinSt.Petersburg.IhadalsosuspectedDeripaska,whomay
havebeenirritatedbyTsepovsreportedoversteppinginpresentinghimselfasaDeripaska(without
Dsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateofYukosbutheresanimportantpoint:Deripaskawas
supposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.AndZolotovwasaclosefriendofTsepovs.
SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspectforusinghisFSBconnections
andMikhalchenkotokillTsepov.
Theproblemwehaveisthatmorerecentlyandthisisanumberofyearslater,tobesureour
sourceshadMurovasMikhalchenkospatronandkrysha.Thingscanchange,ofcoursemaybe
MikhalchenkosFSBconnectionsweretopeopleclosertoPatrushevthanthemanwhowouldsucceed
himatFSB,Bortnikov,andare-alignmenttookplaceafteranumberofchangesinthepowerblock
andafterMikhalchenkohadestablishedhimselfasTsepovssuccessor.Whatsmore,wealsohave
somesourcessayingthatZolotovdriftedapartfromhisoldboss,Murov,andwaspleasedtoreplace
himwithhisownman,Kochnev,asheadoftheFSO.See,forinstance,thenotesfrom27May.
Ivebeenwritingthesenotessince2002.Thenotesfromsummer2004topresentareavailableatthe
OSCsiteforthosewithaccesswhomightbeinterestedintracingthestorybacktoSt.Petersburgin
the2000s.
MorefromRosbaltontheFSBpersonnelchanges
http://www.rosbalt.ru/main/2016/06/10/1522064.html
RelationsbetweentheFSBInternalSecurityDirectorate(USB)andtheFSBSEBhavebeenstrainedlately
andthestrainhasresultedinscandalsandcriminalcases.RosbaltssourcessayitstheFSBUSBsboss,
Korolev,whowilltakeoveratFSBSEB.Hisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov,willtakeoveratUSB,andIvan
TkachevofFSBUSBwilltakeoverDirectorateK.WhenthenheadofFSBUSB,AleksandrKupryazhkin,was
promotedtoFSBdeputydirectorin2011,Feoktistovwassupposedtobehisreplacement,butSergeyKorolev,
acomradeofAnatoliySerdyukovs,gotthenodJustacoupleofyearsago,theUSBandSEBwerefriendly
andcooperatedinthecaseagainsttheMVDGUEBiPK,butthentheUSBturneditsattentiontotheSEB.In
Februaryoflastyear,USBofficersarrestedDirectoratePsIgorKorobitsinfordemandinga$1millionbribe
fromtheheadofRosalkogolregulirovanie,IgorChuyan.Atthebeginningofthisyear,theUSBimplicated
DirectorateKsVadimUvarovinanextortioncaseinvolvingcontrabandcellphones.Theshadowfinancial
sectorhasreportedlyalreadyreactedtothepersonalshiftsatFSBbyraisingitsrateforlegalizinglargeamounts
ofillicitcash(obnalichivanieorobnal)to15%...
Strelkovssite:Theendisnear?
http://novorossia.pro/25yanvarya/2014-erik-lobah-vot-teper-stalo-pohozhe-na-konec.html
<image001.jpg>
Onepropagandafailureafteranother,withthestarringrolegoingtothefailedsuccessor,Medvedevandhis
theresnomoneycomment.AnditsnothappeningwithoutaPeskov-Volodin-Ernstconspiracy.Theresa
campaignagainstMedvedev,onethemajorityoftheKremlintowerssupport.
<image002.jpg>
TheyarecertainlynotinspiringoptimisminanyoneCrimeaisnolongerhelpingthethievingregime.Andwithin
theregime,conspiraciesabound,asthesystemisinastupor
Comment:RecallthatMedvedevwasinCrimeaandaretiredwomancomplainedaboutlowpensions
Medvedevtoldherpensionswouldbeindexedwhenpossible,butsaidtheresnomoney.Hetold
hertohanginthere.Seethe25Maynotes.HisremarksweremockedaroundtheRunet.Putinsaid
thatmaybeMedvedevscommentshadbeentakenoutofcontext:
http://www.newsru.com/russia/28may2016/hold_on.htmlAndthatthegovernmentwaspayingmoreattentionto
fulfillingsocialobligationsanyway,alotofcountrieswerehavingproblemswithpensions
RussiasBraindrain
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-facing-biggest-brain-drain-in-two-
decades/571758.html
Russiaisfacingitsbiggestbraindraininthelast20years,BritishnewspaperTheTimesreportedFriday.
Some350,000peopleleftRussiain2015,tentimesmorethanfiveyearsago.Manyarehighlytrainedandlookingfor
betterbusinessopportunitiesabroad,thenewspapersaid.
Forty-twopercentofseniormanagerswanttoemigratefromRussia,apollbyheadhuntingcompanyAgentstvo
KontaktrevealedTuesday.
Thosewishingtomovesaidthattheyweremotivatedbymorefavorableconditionsfordevelopingprivatebusinesses,
betterprospectsoffindinginvestors,andahigherqualityoflife.
ThepollwasconductedinMayamong467Russianhigh-levelmanagersworkinginlocalorinternationalcompanies.

TheDumavs.IlyaPonomarev
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russian-state-duma-strips-opposition-deputy-ponomarev-
of-his-powers/571816.html
TheRussianStateDumavotedtostripoppositiondeputyIlyaPonomarevofhispowersfornotfulfillinghisduties,the
VedomostinewspaperreportedFriday.
Thevoteconcludedwith413deputiesforandthreeagainst,allthreecomingfromtheAJustRussiaoppositionparty:
DmitryGudkov,SergeiPetrov,andPonomarevhimself,votinginabsentiafromtheUnitedStates.
Duringtheproceedings,theleaderoftheLiberalDemocraticPartyofRussia,VladimirZhirinovsky,allegedthat
Ponomarevisleadinganti-Russianpropagandaandactingagainsttheinterestsofthecountry.
TheAJustRussiapartypresentedtheinitiative,andconcludedthatPonomarevhasnotcometotheDumaintwo
years,hasnotbeenworkingwithconstituents,andhasnotbeencommunicatingwiththeparty.Ponomarevrefutes
theseclaims,Vedomostireported.
PonomarevwastheonlydeputyintheDumawhovotedagainsttheRussianannexationofCrimeain2014.Whenhe
traveledtoCaliforniasoonafter,hisbankaccountswerefrozenandhewasallegedlyprohibitedfromtravelingabroad.
HehasnotreturnedtoRussiasincethen,accordingtoTheNewYorkTimes.
In2015theDumastrippedhimofparliamentaryimmunity,chargedandarrestedhiminabsentiafortheembezzlement
of$750,000fromthestate-fundedscientificandtechnologicalSkolkovoFoundation.Ponomarevhadworkedwith
Skolkovoasalecturer,andin2011-12hemanagedpartofthefoundationsprojectswhileworkingcloselywiththen-
PresidentDmitryMedvedev.
Newsaggregatorswillberegulated
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-state-duma-passes-law-regulating-news-
aggregators/571817.html
MembersoftheRussianStateDumaonFridayapprovedthethirdreadingofalawregulatingtheworkofnews
aggregators,theSlon.runewswebsitereported.Thelawreceivedunanimoussupport,with319deputiesvotingforthe
lawandnoneagainst.
Thelawholdsnewsaggregatorsaccountableforthedisseminationoffalseinformation.
ThelawreducesfinesforfailingtocomplywiththeordersoftheRoskomnadzormediawatchdog.
Thefirstoffenseforlegalentitiesnowcarriesafineof600,000rubles($9,200),thefirstforindividualsnow100,000
rubles($1,500).
LeadingRussiansearchengineYandexwascriticalofthebillwhenitwasfirstintroduced,sayingthatits
requirementswereexcessiveandimpractical.Thelawrequiresaggregatorstosavetheinformationtheydisseminate
forsixmonthsafterpublication.
UponinitialintroductioninFebruary,anexplanatorynoteaccompanyingthebillstatedtheneedforstricterregulation
ofaggregators,onthebasisoftheiraudiencereachandabilitytoinfluenceopinion.
FrenchbankclosesRussiandiplomatsaccounts
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/french-bank-closes-accounts-of-russian-diplomats/571802.html
FrenchbankSocieteGeneralebeganclosingtheaccountsofRussiandiplomatsinPariswithoutexplanationon
Friday,thestate-runRIANovostinewsagencyreported.
EmployeesoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)havealsobeen
affected,RIANovostireported,citinganunnamedsourcewithindiplomaticcircles.
Atthistime,whiledeputiesoftheNationalAssemblyandtheFrenchSenatearevotingonliftingthesanctions
againstRussia,theFrenchbankSocieteGenerale,seeminglyoutoffearfromtheU.S.side,isclosingtheaccounts
notonlyofRussiancitizens,butRussiandiplomatsaswell,theunnamedsourcesaid,RIANovostireported.
TheFrenchForeignMinistryhaspromisedtoprovideinformationontheclosingoftheaccounts.SocieteGenerale
hasnotyetrespondedtoRIANovostiwithcommentsregardingtheclosures.
InJune2015,theFrenchdaughterbankofRussia-basedVneshtorgbank(VTB)frozetheaccountsofRussian
companies.Theaccountswerereopenedthefollowingmonth.
Accountsofpeopleassociatedwithstate-ownedandoperatednewsagencyRossiaSegodnyawerealsofrozenin
June2015,amovedeclaredillegalbyaPariscourtinApril.
CentralBanklowerskeyinterestrate
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-central-bank-lowers-key-interest-rate/571794.html
TheRussianCentralBanklowereditskeyinterestrateby0.5percentagepointsto10.5percentonFriday,theTASS
statenewsagencyreported.ThelasttimethebankloweredtheinterestratewasinAugust2015.
FollowingameetingoftheBoardofDirectors,thebankdecidedtolowertheratebasedonrecentperceivedpositive
trendsininflationpatterns.
TheBoardofDirectorsnotespositiveprocessofinflationstabilization,declineofinflationexpectationsandinflation
risksamidsignsofanapproachingphaseofgrowingrecovery,thebank'sreportsaid,TASSreported.
ThereportsaidthedecisionwasalsobasedonpositiveGDPtrendsinQ1ofthisyear,aswellasmacroeconomic
indicatorsinApril,whichreflectthegrowingabilityoftheRussianeconomytowithstandfluctuationsinthepriceofoil.
Withthenextmeetingofthebank'sBoardofDirectorstotakeplaceonJuly29,thereportmentionedthefutureofthe
rate.
TheRussianCentralBankwillconsiderthepossibilityoffurtherreductionofthekeyrate,assessinginflationrisks
andcomplianceofdynamicsofinflationdecelerationwiththetargettrajectory,thereportsaid.
Therublecontinuedtofallfollowingtheannouncement,butstabilizedlaterinthedayafterthedollarandeurofellto
64.7and73.2rubles,respectively.
From: PeterReddaway<pbreddaway@gmail.com>
Senttime: 07/01/201603:18:42PM
To: Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Cc: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Thanks,Bob.Ionlyjustreadthis.
Peter
OnThu,Jun30,2016at8:59PM,Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
HisKryshawasMurovwhocouldnolongerprotecthimandwasoustedseveralweeksafterthearrest.
SentfrommyiPad
OnJun30,2016,at6:05PM,PeterReddaway<pbreddaway@gmail.com>wrote:
Intheperiodc.2004-2010,whichIstudiedforthepaperIsentyou3weeksago,DMwasvery
aggressiveandwasclearlyunderaStPetersburgkrysha,whichIthinkmeant,ultimatelyat
least,Bortnikov.SohisarrestinMarchmightbeawarningtoBortnikov,althoughalotofwater
mayhaveflownunderthebridgesincetheperiodIwasstudying.
Best,
Peter
Peter,thanksforthisMikhalchenkowasarrested.Itwasreportedinthenotesfor30March.Hehascomeup
inthe31March,26,27,and31Mayandon7,9,and10June.Ireferredbacktothenotesform2007thatclaimed
MikhalchenkowasinvolvedinTsepovsmurder.Illsearchagainandseeifanythingturnsupearlierthanthat.
HeresthebitonMIkhalchenkobeingtakenintocustodyfrom30March:
Seeyesterdaysnotes
http://en.news-4-u.ru/basmanny-court-has-arrested-billionaire-mikhalchenko-in-the-case-of-smuggling-of-elite-
alcohol.html
previouslyquestionedinacriminalcaseofalcoholsmuggling,betakenintocustodyfortwomonths.
JudgeAndreyKarpovdismissedtherequestthatthebusinessmanbereleasedonbailof50million
rublesaccordingtoInterfax.
Mikhalchenkocategoricallydeniedhisinvolvementinsmugglingoranyplanstohidefromthe
investigation.Thebusinessmanalsotoldthejuryaboutattemptstopressurehisbusiness,inparticular
theconstructionofadeepwaterportBronka,whichhasbeenheadedbyOOOPhoenix.
TheRussianbillionaireisaccusedofsmugglingalcoholin2015,creatinganorganizedcrimegroup
thatshippedthealcoholfromtheportofHamburgundertheguiseofconstructionsealant.
Mikhalchenkowasaccusedofsmugglingofalcoholicbeveragesinanorganizedgroupinespecially
largequantity(part3ofarticle200.2oftheCriminalCode).HisDeputyBorisChorevski,Deputy
DirectorofOOOLogistikCentralNorthwest,AnatolyKindzerskaya,andtheDirectorofSouth-East
tradingcompany,IlyaPichko,werealsodetained.
Accordingtosomemediareports,MikhalchenkoarrivedinMoscowonMarch28andwasdetainedthe
nextday.AccordingtoFontanka.ru,thedetentiontookplaceonWednesdaymorning.Hewas
detainedbyinvestigatorsofthecentralapparatusoftheFSBandwastakentotheInvestigative
Committee.Hewasdetainedfortwodays...
Mikhalchenkosnamewaspreviouslymentionedinconnectionwithacaseofmulti-million
embezzlementuncoveredintheMinistryofCulture.HeistheGeneralDirectorofamanagement
company,Forum.
OnMarch15and17,theGeneralDirectorofCJSCBaltstroy(partoftheForumholding),Dmitry
Sergeev,andBaltstroysAlexanderKochenovweretakenintocustodyonorderofMoscowsLefortovo
court.Theyaresuspectsinthecaseofamultimillionembezzlementofbudgetfundsallocatedforthe
restorationofanumberofculturalheritagesites.
ThemainsuspectinthiscaseistheDeputyMinisterofCulture,GregoryPirumov.On24Marchhewas
chargedwithchargedwithfraud.
H
iWayneandBob,
ThisisjustaquicknoteaboutTsepov,Sechin,andMikhalchenko,
whomyou'vediscussedintworecentissues,Wayne,quotingareader
whoIsuspectisyou,Bob.
Betweenc.2004and2011Ididalotofresearchontheseandrelated
folks,puttingtheresultsintoa70pppaper,whichissupposedtobe
publishedsooninane-journal("Putin&theSilovikWars").
WhatstruckmeaboutMikhalchenkowerehisextraordinaryyouth
(about30in2005?),hisgreatpersonalambitionforwealthandpower,
andhisskillatcultivatingtheLeningradKGB.Idon'trecallanytiesto
Also,overthe5-6yearsafterTsepovwasassassinated,Idon'trecall
anyoneraisingthepossibilitythatMikhalchenkowasinanyway
involved.Certainlyhejumpedinaggressivelyandtookoverlarge
chunksofTsepov'sempire,sohecouldtheoreticallyhavehadamotive
inthisregard.Butthiswasalsotheopportunisticwayyou'dsimply
expectsomeoneofhischaractertoact.
Toconclude,onequestion-didyoumeanitwhenyouwrote2-3times
thathehadrecentlybeenarrested,andifso,forwhatandwhen?.And
onesmallfactualpoint:thebusinessco-runbyTsepovandZolotovwas
Withthanksonceagaintobothofyoufortheprodigiousamountof
outstandingworkthatyouproducedayinanddayout,
Yours,
Peter
RussiasBraindrain.6

Theheads(nonamesgiven)oftheFSBsDirectoratesPandThaveresigned.Thosetwodirectorates,
alongwithK,whosehead,ViktorVoronin,hasalsoresigned,formthebackboneoftheFSBsEconomic
SecurityService(SEB).DirectoratePhandlesindustrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,
includingRussianRailwaysandaviation.TheheadofFSBSEB,YuriYakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutas
well.RosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessorforYakovlevatFSBSEBistheFSBsheadoftheinternal
securitydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbereplacedbyhisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov.The
FSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
Comment:IwonderwhetherthepeopleatDirectoratesPandTwerealsoconnectedtoViktor
Ivanov,asVoroninandRomodanovskiywere.Seeyesterdaysnotes.True,bothwerealso
supposedlylinkedtoMikhalchenko,aswasMurov,butclanlinestendtooverlapandthekey
playersallknowoneanother.ItcouldbethatIvanovsdeparture,asIsuggestedyesterday,wasthe
beginningoftheunravellingofhisclannetworkwithinthespecialservicesandinotherkeyareas
aswellsuchasLarisaKalandaleavingherpostsatRosneft/Rosneftegaz.Mikhalchenkosname
couldbedroppedasapretexttogoafterIvanovspeople.
FeoktistovhascomeupinthesenotesbeforeinthematerialontheGUEBiPKscandalmentionedin
yesterdaysnotes.Heresabitfromthe14May2014notesthatmentionshim:
NovayaGazetarefutesSugrobovs(hisdeputyKolesnikov,alsoarrested,hasmadethesameclaim)claimheknewnothing
abouttheprovocationsanddidnotknowtheprovocateursusedbytheGUEBiPKinallegedlysettingupandframinga
numberofofficials.NovayahasinformationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,
whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVDDepartmentforEconomicSecurity(nowtheGUEBiPK):
InanopenlettertoPutin,postedonFacebookbyhislawyer,AntonTsetkov,Sugrobovblameshistroublesonrivalsinthe
FSBandSKheblamestheSKforfoulingupanumberofcorruptioncases(animpliesthattheywereprotectingcorrupt
officialsandunderminingPutinsanti-corruptioncampaign).SugrobovalsodeniesthatheismarriedtoPresidentialAide
KonstantinChuiychenkoswifessisterorthathehasbenefitedfromChuiychenkospatronage(asanumberofoursources
havereported).HefurtherclaimsthatFSBGeneralFeoktistovapproachedhimin2011,urginghimtoestablishrelationswith
onetime1stDeputyHeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev(FeoktistovclaimedthatKhorev,implicatedinthetax-
rebateschemesthatinvolvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiyaffair[See,forinstance,the20March
2012notes],wassettobecomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,andwouldagree
tonameSugrobovhisdeputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:Wehadreadthatpartofthestruggleinvolving
theGUEBiPKwasbetweensupportersofKhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanev
wroteonthetiesbetweenFeoktistovandKhorevbackin2011:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).Sugrobov
endsbysayingheiswillingtotakeapolygraphtestandcallsonPutintomakesuretheinvestigationsofthechargesagainst
himandhissubordinatesareobjective:http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
Comment:Foranyofthattomakesense,readerswillhavetoreferbacktosummationofthe
GUEBiPKscandal(uptothatpoint)Iincludedinthe31Marchnotes.TheGUEBiPKsSugrobov
wasconnectedbyoursourcestoMevdedevslawyer/classmatesfaction,amongthemKonstantin
Chuiychenko,mentionedabove.Recallthisbitfromyesterdaysnotes:
claimsthatchargesagainstVoroninhavetodowithKsinvolvementinthecaseagainsttheMVDseconomic
security/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,acaseinwhichtheformerheadofthatunit,DenisSugrobov,wasarrestedand
stillawaitstrialoncorruptionchargesstemmingfromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,
amongotherthings.Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwasalsoarrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrange
circumstanceswhileincustody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevsentourageandsomesaythat
VoroninsdeparturefromtheFSBSEBwasrevengebysomeofMedvedevspeoplefortheGUEBiPKcase.
Comment:RussiasoverlappingmoneylaunderingchannelsarevastandinvolvelotsofgamesapartfromtheMagnitskiy
(probablyalliedwithelementsintheProsecutorsoffice)andtheFSBanditsalliesintheInvestigativeCommittee.The
battlewassaidtobeovercontrollingmoneylaunderingchannels.Seethe31MarchnotesforarehashoftheGUEBiPK
affair.]
Comment:IrecentlycoveredPutinsconnectionstoorganizedcrimeinSt.Petersburg,connectionsthatincludedTsepov,in
the30Marchnotes.Brieflyput,Tsepovwasaracketeerandonetimeall-aroundfixerandbodyguardforMayorSobchakin
St.Petersburg.Tsepovwastheco-founder,alongwithPutinbodyguardViktorZolotov,ofaSt.Petersburgsecurityfirm,
BalticEksport.TsepovapparentlytriedtoinsinuatehimselfintotheYukosaffairasamediatorIsuspectedatthetimethat
thiswasthereasonhewasassassinated.ZolotovattendedTsepovsfuneral.ThekillingofTsepovshookuptheelite,
creatingquiteascandal.IhadSechinandDeripaska,whowasalsointerestedinYukos,aslikelysuspectsinthemurder
TsepovreportedlytriedtopasshimselfoffasDeripaskasrepresentative.TherehavebeenclaimsthatTsepov,like
Litvinenko,waspoisonedwithpolonium.
Tsepov,claimsthatFSBagentDmitriyMikhachenkokilledTsepovwithpolonium-poisonedteaattheSt.PetersburgFSB
office.MikhalchenkosubsequentlytookoverTsepovsbusinesses.ZolotovhadbeenTsepovspatron,butMikhalchenko
hadtheFSBsBortnikovasakrysha.Thus,ZolotovandBortnikovhavelongbeenenemiesNemtsovwaskilledbyKadyrov
andZolotov,theinvestigationconductedunderBortnikov.
Thatsaid,ifMikhalchenkowasinvolved,wehaveareasontothinktheresenmitybetweenMikhalchenkoandZolotov(andmaybeMurov,
toosinceheseemstobetheMikhalchenkokryshanow)..andZolotovandBortnikov?
In2004,whenTsepovwasmurdered,BortnikovwasoutofStP,btw.UptoFebruary2004heheadedtheFSBinStP,buthethenwentto
headtheFSBsSEB(whenhemetVoronin?),takingtheonetimeallegedlysuperinfluentialZaostrovtsevs(trikita)place.
Inshort,justhowmuchifnotallofthisstuffaprovocationisnotclear,butthatdoesntmakeitlessinterestinginlightofallthe
otherstuffgoingon]
Comment:IincludedquiteabitofmaterialonMikhalchenkospossibleinvolvementintheTsepov
murderinnotesfromyearspast.Inthe5September2007notes,forinstance,Iincludedmaterialon
ChaykascampaignagainstTambovgangsterVladimirKumarinandoneitemhadKumarinas
possiblybeinginvolvedintheTsepovassassination,withheandSechinusingMikhalchenkoaspart
oftheplantogetridofTsepov.TsepovwasconnectedwithalltheSt.Petersburgsiloviky,buthis
strongerconnectionswerewiththeMVDandFSO,MikhalchenkossupposedlywiththeFSB,asin
theitemabove.
MikhalchenkotookoverTsepovsnicheinSt.PetersburgafterTsepovsdeath.Inthosenotes,Ihad
Sechin,KumarinandtheiralliesintheFSBkillingTsepovbecausehetriedtoinsinuatehimselfinto
theYukosaffairandrepresentedaroadblocktoKumarinsfriendMikhalchenkosambitiontotake
overTsepovssecuritybusiness/fixerroleinSt.Petersburg.IhadalsosuspectedDeripaska,who
mayhavebeenirritatedbyTsepovsreportedoversteppinginpresentinghimselfasaDeripaska
(withoutDsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateofYukosbutheresanimportantpoint:
DeripaskawassupposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.AndZolotovwasaclose
friendofTsepovs.SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspectforusinghis
FSBconnectionsandMikhalchenkotokillTsepov.
Theproblemwehaveisthatmorerecentlyandthisisanumberofyearslater,tobesureour
sourceshadMurovasMikhalchenkospatronandkrysha.Thingscanchange,ofcoursemaybe
MikhalchenkosFSBconnectionsweretopeopleclosertoPatrushevthanthemanwhowould
succeedhimatFSB,Bortnikov,andare-alignmenttookplaceafteranumberofchangesinthe
powerblockandafterMikhalchenkohadestablishedhimselfasTsepovssuccessor.Whatsmore,
wealsohavesomesourcessayingthatZolotovdriftedapartfromhisoldboss,Murov,andwas
pleasedtoreplacehimwithhisownman,Kochnev,asheadoftheFSO.See,forinstance,thenotes
from27May.
Ivebeenwritingthesenotessince2002.Thenotesfromsummer2004topresentareavailableat
theOSCsiteforthosewithaccesswhomightbeinterestedintracingthestorybacktoSt.Petersburg
inthe2000s.
RelationsbetweentheFSBInternalSecurityDirectorate(USB)andtheFSBSEBhavebeenstrainedlately
andthestrainhasresultedinscandalsandcriminalcases.RosbaltssourcessayitstheFSBUSBsboss,
Korolev,whowilltakeoveratFSBSEB.Hisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov,willtakeoveratUSB,andIvan
TkachevofFSBUSBwilltakeoverDirectorateK.WhenthenheadofFSBUSB,AleksandrKupryazhkin,
waspromotedtoFSBdeputydirectorin2011,Feoktistovwassupposedtobehisreplacement,butSergey
Korolev,acomradeofAnatoliySerdyukovs,gotthenodJustacoupleofyearsago,theUSBandSEBwere
friendlyandcooperatedinthecaseagainsttheMVDGUEBiPK,butthentheUSBturneditsattentiontothe
SEB.InFebruaryoflastyear,USBofficersarrestedDirectoratePsIgorKorobitsinfordemandinga$1million
bribefromtheheadofRosalkogolregulirovanie,IgorChuyan.Atthebeginningofthisyear,theUSBimplicated
DirectorateKsVadimUvarovinanextortioncaseinvolvingcontrabandcellphones.Theshadowfinancial
sectorhasreportedlyalreadyreactedtothepersonalshiftsatFSBbyraisingitsrateforlegalizinglarge
amountsofillicitcash(obnalichivanieorobnal)to15%...
<image001.jpg>
Onepropagandafailureafteranother,withthestarringrolegoingtothefailedsuccessor,Medvedevandhis
theresnomoneycomment.AnditsnothappeningwithoutaPeskov-Volodin-Ernstconspiracy.Theresa
campaignagainstMedvedev,onethemajorityoftheKremlintowerssupport.
<image002.jpg>
TheyarecertainlynotinspiringoptimisminanyoneCrimeaisnolongerhelpingthethievingregime.Andwithin
theregime,conspiraciesabound,asthesystemisinastupor
Comment:RecallthatMedvedevwasinCrimeaandaretiredwomancomplainedaboutlowpensions
Medvedevtoldherpensionswouldbeindexedwhenpossible,butsaidtheresnomoney.He
toldhertohanginthere.Seethe25Maynotes.HisremarksweremockedaroundtheRunet.Putin
saidthatmaybeMedvedevscommentshadbeentakenoutofcontext:
http://www.newsru.com/russia/28may2016/hold_on.htmlAndthatthegovernmentwaspayingmoreattention
tofulfillingsocialobligationsanyway,alotofcountrieswerehavingproblemswithpensions
RussiasBraindrain
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-facing-biggest-brain-drain-in-two-
decades/571758.html
Some350,000peopleleftRussiain2015,tentimesmorethanfiveyearsago.Manyarehighlytrainedandlooking
forbetterbusinessopportunitiesabroad,thenewspapersaid.
Forty-twopercentofseniormanagerswanttoemigratefromRussia,apollbyheadhuntingcompanyAgentstvo
KontaktrevealedTuesday.
Thosewishingtomovesaidthattheyweremotivatedbymorefavorableconditionsfordevelopingprivatebusinesses,
betterprospectsoffindinginvestors,andahigherqualityoflife.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russian-state-duma-strips-opposition-deputy-
ponomarev-of-his-powers/571816.html
TheRussianStateDumavotedtostripoppositiondeputyIlyaPonomarevofhispowersfornotfulfillinghisduties,
theVedomostinewspaperreportedFriday.
Thevoteconcludedwith413deputiesforandthreeagainst,allthreecomingfromtheAJustRussiaopposition
party:DmitryGudkov,SergeiPetrov,andPonomarevhimself,votinginabsentiafromtheUnitedStates.
Duringtheproceedings,theleaderoftheLiberalDemocraticPartyofRussia,VladimirZhirinovsky,allegedthat
Ponomarevisleadinganti-Russianpropagandaandactingagainsttheinterestsofthecountry.
TheAJustRussiapartypresentedtheinitiative,andconcludedthatPonomarevhasnotcometotheDumaintwo
years,hasnotbeenworkingwithconstituents,andhasnotbeencommunicatingwiththeparty.Ponomarevrefutes
theseclaims,Vedomostireported.
PonomarevwastheonlydeputyintheDumawhovotedagainsttheRussianannexationofCrimeain2014.Whenhe
traveledtoCaliforniasoonafter,hisbankaccountswerefrozenandhewasallegedlyprohibitedfromtravelingabroad.
HehasnotreturnedtoRussiasincethen,accordingtoTheNewYorkTimes.
In2015theDumastrippedhimofparliamentaryimmunity,chargedandarrestedhiminabsentiaforthe
embezzlementof$750,000fromthestate-fundedscientificandtechnologicalSkolkovoFoundation.Ponomarevhad
workedwithSkolkovoasalecturer,andin2011-12hemanagedpartofthefoundationsprojectswhileworking
closelywiththen-PresidentDmitryMedvedev.
MembersoftheRussianStateDumaonFridayapprovedthethirdreadingofalawregulatingtheworkofnews
aggregators,theSlon.runewswebsitereported.Thelawreceivedunanimoussupport,with319deputiesvotingfor
thelawandnoneagainst.
Thefirstoffenseforlegalentitiesnowcarriesafineof600,000rubles($9,200),thefirstforindividualsnow100,000
rubles($1,500).
LeadingRussiansearchengineYandexwascriticalofthebillwhenitwasfirstintroduced,sayingthatits
requirementswereexcessiveandimpractical.Thelawrequiresaggregatorstosavetheinformationtheydisseminate
forsixmonthsafterpublication.
UponinitialintroductioninFebruary,anexplanatorynoteaccompanyingthebillstatedtheneedforstricterregulation
ofaggregators,onthebasisoftheiraudiencereachandabilitytoinfluenceopinion.
FrenchbankSocieteGeneralebeganclosingtheaccountsofRussiandiplomatsinPariswithoutexplanationon
Friday,thestate-runRIANovostinewsagencyreported.
EmployeesoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)havealsobeen
affected,RIANovostireported,citinganunnamedsourcewithindiplomaticcircles.
Atthistime,whiledeputiesoftheNationalAssemblyandtheFrenchSenatearevotingonliftingthesanctions
againstRussia,theFrenchbankSocieteGenerale,seeminglyoutoffearfromtheU.S.side,isclosingtheaccounts
notonlyofRussiancitizens,butRussiandiplomatsaswell,theunnamedsourcesaid,RIANovostireported.
TheFrenchForeignMinistryhaspromisedtoprovideinformationontheclosingoftheaccounts.SocieteGenerale
hasnotyetrespondedtoRIANovostiwithcommentsregardingtheclosures.
InJune2015,theFrenchdaughterbankofRussia-basedVneshtorgbank(VTB)frozetheaccountsofRussian
companies.Theaccountswerereopenedthefollowingmonth.
Accountsofpeopleassociatedwithstate-ownedandoperatednewsagencyRossiaSegodnyawerealsofrozenin
June2015,amovedeclaredillegalbyaPariscourtinApril.
TheRussianCentralBanklowereditskeyinterestrateby0.5percentagepointsto10.5percentonFriday,the
TASSstatenewsagencyreported.ThelasttimethebankloweredtheinterestratewasinAugust2015.
FollowingameetingoftheBoardofDirectors,thebankdecidedtolowertheratebasedonrecentperceivedpositive
trendsininflationpatterns.
TheBoardofDirectorsnotespositiveprocessofinflationstabilization,declineofinflationexpectationsandinflation
risksamidsignsofanapproachingphaseofgrowingrecovery,thebank'sreportsaid,TASSreported.
ThereportsaidthedecisionwasalsobasedonpositiveGDPtrendsinQ1ofthisyear,aswellasmacroeconomic
indicatorsinApril,whichreflectthegrowingabilityoftheRussianeconomytowithstandfluctuationsinthepriceof
oil.
Withthenextmeetingofthebank'sBoardofDirectorstotakeplaceonJuly29,thereportmentionedthefutureof
therate.
TheRussianCentralBankwillconsiderthepossibilityoffurtherreductionofthekeyrate,assessinginflationrisks
andcomplianceofdynamicsofinflationdecelerationwiththetargettrajectory,thereportsaid.
Therublecontinuedtofallfollowingtheannouncement,butstabilizedlaterinthedayafterthedollarandeurofellto
64.7and73.2rubles,respectively.
From: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Senttime: 06/18/201610:02:27AM
To: WayneandStacyAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Subject: InternetNotes18June2016
Attachments: IN18June16.docx
MoreontheSt.PetersburgEconomicForum(PutinsspeechandQ&A:Russia/NATO/AnewColdWar?Ukraine/the
MinskagreementsSyria/Assad/ElectionsUSpresidentialelections/Russia-USThedopingscandal/Russiansoccer
fans)
StanovayaontheEconomicForumandforeignbusiness
SoloveyongesturestoAmerica
GermanforeignministeronNATOwarmongering
fans)
Seeyesterdaysnotes.
IdidabriefsummaryofPutinsspeechandincludedalinktotheRussianinyesterdaysnotes.HereareexcerptsfromanEnglish
versionofthespeech:http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52178
Thestructuralproblemsaccumulatedbytheglobaleconomystillpersist,andwehavenotyetputoureconomyonthegrowthtrajectory.
Incidentally,currentgeopoliticaltensionsarerelated,tosomeextent,toeconomicuncertainty
andtheexhaustingoftheoldsourcesofgrowth.Thereisariskitmayincreaseorevenbeartificiallyprovoked.
Itisourcommoninteresttofindacreativeandconstructivewayoutofthissituation.
Theworldsleadingeconomiesarelookingforsourcesofgrowth,andtheyarelookingtocapitalise
ontheenormousexistingandgrowingpotentialofdigitalandindustrialtechnologies,robotics,energy,
biotechnology,medicineandotherfields.Discoveriesintheseareascanleadtotruetechnologicalrevolutions,
toanexplosivegrowthoflabourproductivity.Thisisalreadyhappeningandwillhappeninevitablythereis
impendingrestructuringofentireindustries,thedevaluationofmanyfacilitiesandassets.Thiswillalter
thedemandforskillsandcompetencies,andcompetitionwillescalateinbothtraditionalandemerging
markets.
Infact,eventodaywecanseeattemptstosecureorevenmonopolisethebenefitsofnextgeneration
technologies.This,Ithink,isthemotivebehindthecreationofrestrictedareaswithregulatorybarriers
toreducethecross-flowofbreakthroughtechnologiestootherregionsoftheworldwithfairlytightcontrolover
cooperationchainsformaximumgainfromtechnologicaladvances.Wehavediscussedthiswithour
colleaguessomesayitispossible.Ithinknot.Onecancontrolthespreadofcertaintechnologiesforawhile,
butintoday'sworlditwouldbenexttoimpossibletokeeptheminacontainedarea,evenalargearea.Yet,
theseeffortscouldleadtobasicsciences,nowopentosharingofknowledgeandinformationthroughjoint
projects,gettingclosedtoo,withseparationbarrierscomingup.
Over40statesandinternationalorganisationshaveexpressedthedesiretoestablishafreetradezonewith
theEurasianEconomicUnion.OurpartnersandwethinkthattheEAEUcanbecomeoneofthecentres
ofagreateremergentintegrationarea.Amongotherbenefits,wecanaddressambitioustechnological
problemswithinitsframework,promotetechnologicalprogressandattractnewmembers.Wediscussedthis
inAstanaquiterecently.NowweproposeconsideringtheprospectsformoreextensiveEurasianpartnership
involvingtheEAEUandcountrieswithwhichwealreadyhaveclosepartnershipChina,India,Pakistan
andIranandcertainlyourCISpartners,andotherinterestedcountriesandassociations.
AsearlyasJunewe,alongwithourChinesecolleagues,areplanningtostartofficialtalksontheformation
ofcomprehensivetradeandeconomicpartnershipinEurasiawiththeparticipationoftheEuropeanUnion
statesandChina.IexpectthatthiswillbecomeoneofthefirststepstowardtheformationofamajorEurasian
partnership.WewillcertainlyresumethediscussionofthismajorprojectattheEasternEconomicForum
inVladivostokinearlySeptember.Colleagues,Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytoinviteallofyoutotake
partinit.
Friends,theprojectIhavejustmentionedthegreaterEurasiaprojectis,ofcourse,openforEurope,
andIamconvincedthatsuchcooperationmaybemutuallybeneficial.Despiteallofthewell-knownproblems
inourrelations,theEuropeanUnionremainsRussiaskeytradeandeconomicpartner.Itisournext-door
neighbourandwearenotindifferenttowhatishappeninginthelivesofourneighbours,Europeancountries
andtheEuropeaneconomy.
ThechallengeofthetechnologicalrevolutionandstructuralchangesarenolessurgentfortheEUthan
forRussia.IalsounderstandourEuropeanpartnerswhentheytalkaboutthecomplicateddecisionsforEurope
thatweremadeatthetalksontheformationoftheTrans-Atlanticpartnership.Obviously,Europehasavast
potentialandastakeonjustoneregionalassociationclearlynarrowsitsopportunities.Under
thecircumstances,itisdifficultforEuropetomaintainbalanceandpreservespaceforagainfulmanoeuvre.
AstherecentmeetingswithrepresentativesoftheGermanandFrenchbusinesscircleshaveshowed,
Europeanbusinessiswillingandreadytocooperatewiththiscountry.Politiciansshouldmeetbusinesses
halfwaybydisplayingwisdom,andafar-sightedandflexibleapproach.WemustreturntrusttoRussian-
Europeanrelationsandrestorethelevelofourcooperation.
Werememberhowitallstarted.Russiadidnotinitiatethecurrentbreakdown,disruption,problems
andsanctions.Allouractionshavebeenexclusivelyreciprocal.Butwedontholdagrudge,astheysay,
andarereadytomeetourEuropeanpartnershalfway.However,thiscanbynomeansbeaone-waystreet.
LetmerepeatthatweareinterestedinEuropeansjoiningtheprojectforamajorEurasianpartnership.Inthis
contextwewelcometheinitiativeofthePresidentofKazakhstanonholdingconsultationsbetween
theEurasianEconomicUnionandtheEU.Yesterdaywediscussedthisissueatthemeetingwith
thePresidentoftheEuropeanCommission.
Russiahasmanagedtoresolvethemosturgentcurrentproblemsintheeconomy.Wehopegrowthwill
resumeinthenearfuture.Wehavemaintainedreservesandsubstantiallyreducedcapitaldrainbyfivetimes
comparedwiththefirstquarterof2016.Inflationisgoingdownaswell.Ithasfallenalmostinhalfifwecompare
severalmonthsin20142015withthesameperiodin20152016.Ibelievethatitispossibletobringinflation
downto45percentasearlyasinthemid-termperspective.
Inaddition,itisnecessarytograduallydecreasethebudgetdeficitandthedependenceonrevenuesfrom
hydrocarbonsandotherrawmaterials.Thisincludescuttingournon-oilandgasdeficitatleastinhalf
inthenext5to7years.
Thecurrentslowdownisaglobaltrend.
Akeyfactorthatpredeterminestheoverallcompetitivenessoftheeconomy,marketdynamics,GDPgrowth
andhigherwagesislaborproductivity.Weneedhigherlaborproductivityatlargeandmedium-sized
enterprises:inindustry,intheconstructionandthetransportsectorsandinagriculturenolessthan5
percentayear.Thisappearstobeachallengingandevenunattainablegoal,ifwelookatwhatishappening
heretoday.Atthesametime,theexamplesofnumerousenterprises,aswellasofentiremanufacturing
sectors,suchastheaircraftindustry,thechemicalindustry,pharmaceuticsandagriculture,showthatthis
goalisquitefeasibleandrealistic.
Wewilldeveloplegislation,taxregulatorsandtechnicalstandardstoincentivisecompaniestoraiselabour
productivityandintroducelabourandenergysavingtechnology.Withthegrowthoflabourproductivity,
inefficientemploymentwillinevitablyshrink,whichmeanswewillneedtosubstantiallyincreasethelabour
marketsflexibility,toofferpeoplenewopportunities.Wewillbeabletoresolvethisproblemprimarily
bycreatingmorejobsatsmallandmedium-sizedbusinesses.Thenumberofpeople(whatIamgoingtosayis
veryimportant)employedatsmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesshouldgrowfromtoday's18million
byatleast1.4millionby2020andbymorethan3millionby2025.Itwillbedifficulttoincreasesupport
forsmallandmedium-sizedbusinesses,andstillhardertoconsistentlybuildanicheforitsoperation.Butit
needstobedone.
Ishouldaddthatourimportreplacementprogrammeisalsoaimedatmanufacturinggoodsthatare
competitiveontheglobalmarket.Andinthissense,Iwouldalsoliketostressthatimportreplacementis
animportantstageforexpandingexportsinsectorsotherthanrawmaterialsandfindingaplaceforour
companiesinglobalmanufacturingandtechnologicalalliancesandnotinsecondaryroles,butasstrong
andeffectivepartners.
Friends,wewillcontinuetofurtherliberaliseandimprovethebusinessclimate.Iknowagreatdealhasbeen
saidaboutthisatforumeventstodayandyesterday.Wewilltacklesystemicproblems,ofwhichwestillhave
plenty.Thisincludesimprovingtransparencyandbalancingrelationsbetweengovernmentagencies
andbusinesses.Theserelationsshouldbebuiltonunderstandingandmutualresponsibility,meticulous
observanceandcompliancewithlawsandrespectfortheinterestsofthestateandsociety,
andtheunconditionalvalueoftheinstitutionofprivateproperty.
Itisessentialtodrasticallyreduceillegalcriminalprosecutions.Furthermore,representativesofsecurity
andlawenforcementagenciesshouldbemadepersonallyliableforunjustifiedactionsleading
tothedestructionofabusinessenterprise.Ibelievethatthisliabilitycanbecriminal.
Irealizethatthisisaverysensitiveissue.Wecannotandshouldnotbindourlawenforcementagencieshand
andfoot.However,withoutadoubt,thereisaneedforbalancehere,forafirmbarriertoanyabusesofpower.
TheleadershipoftheProsecutorGeneralsOffice,theInvestigativeCommittee,theInteriorMinistry
andtheFederalSecurityServiceshouldcontinuouslymonitorthesituationonthegroundand,ifnecessary,
takemeasurestoimprovelegislation.
Iasktheworkinggrouponlawenforcementinentrepreneurialactivity,whichisheadedbyChiefofStaff
ofthePresidentialExecutiveOfficeSergeiIvanov,tofocusontheseissuesaswell.IshouldaddthatIhave
alreadysubmittedtoparliamentapackageofdraftlawspreparedbytheworkinggroup,designedtohumanise
theso-calledeconomicstatutes[oftheCriminalCode].Thatsaid,itisalsoimportanttoguaranteebusinesses
andallcitizenstherighttofairandimpartialdefenceincourt.
TheRussianjudicialcommunityhasdoneagooddealrecentlytoimprovethequalityofthecourtsystem.
ThemergingoftheSupremeandtheHigherArbitrationcourtshasplayedapositiveroleinensuring
theuniformityoflawenforcement.Ibelieveitisnecessarytomovefurthertowardenhancingtheresponsibility
ofjudgesandmakingthejudicialprocessmoretransparent.
Amajorroleincreatingafavorablebusinessenvironment,withoutadoubt,belongstoRussianregions.Iknow
thatthiswasdiscussedatforumeventsinthemorning,andtheresultsoftheannualnationalinvestment
climateratingswereannounced.Iwouldliketojoinincongratulatingthewinnersandremindyouthattheseare
TatarstanandtheBelgorodandKalugaregions.Iwouldalsoliketonotethesignificantprogressmade
bytheTula,Vladimir,Tyumen,Kirov,LipetskandOrelregions,andthecityofMoscow.
Whatstandsouthere?Judgingbytheresults,acoregroupofleadershasalreadyemerged,whoareinvariably
atthetopofrankings.Thenaturalquestionis:Wherearetheothers?IasktheGovernment,inconjunctionwith
businesscommunities,toconsideradditionalmechanismstorewardthebestregionaladministrativeteams.
Ontheotherhand,wewilltakeseriousmeasures,includingdismissals,withregardtoregionalleaderswhodo
notunderstandthatbusinesssupportisamajorresourceforregionalandnationaldevelopment.Iwouldlike
mycolleaguesintheregions,aboveall,regionalleaderstohearme.Wewillseriouslyanalysewhatis
happeninginthissphereineachRussianregionanddiscusstheissueindepthintheautumn.
Ladiesandgentlemen,IhavealreadytalkedaboutRussiasparticipationincooperativescientificresearch
projects,inparticularwithEuropeancountries.Itisessentialtoaddthatwehaveacoreadvantages
inphysics,mathematicsandchemistry.Asyouknow,recentlywehonouredscientistswhowontheNational
Award,whohavemadebrilliantbreakthroughsinbiology,geneticsandmedicine.Russianmicrobiologistshave
developed,forexample,aneffectivevaccineagainstEbola.Nationalcompaniesaregoingtobringanentireline
ofunmannedvehiclestothemarketandareworkingonenergydistributionandstorage,anddigitalsea
navigationsystems.Wehavepracticallyputinplaceatechnologicaldevelopmentmanagementsystem.What
doesthisentailandwhatwouldIliketosayinthiscontext?
First.TherecentlyformedTechnologyDevelopmentAgencywillhelpapplycurrentresearchtoreal
manufacturingandsetupjointventureswithforeignpartners.
Second.Anothermechanismwillbeinusestartingin2019.Majormanufacturerswillbemadelegallybound
tousethemostadvancedtechnologiesmeetingthehighestenvironmentalstandards.Hopefully,thiswillgive
aseriousboosttoindustrialmodernisation.Manyneighbouringcountriesintroducedsuchrequirementslong
ago.Wehavehadtoputoffthesechangesduetoproblemsintherealeconomicsectors,butwecantkeep
postponingitanymore.Ourbusinesscolleaguesknowthisandmustbeprepared.
Andfinally,third.TheNationalTechnologyInitiativecoversprojectsofthefuturebasedontechnologiesthatwill
createfundamentallynewmarketsinadecadeortwo.IwouldliketoasktheGovernmenttopromptlyremove
administrative,legislativeandotherobstaclesblockingthedevelopmentoffuturemarkets.Itisessential
tobackuptechnologicaldevelopmentwithfinancialresources.Therefore,thekeytaskfacingtheoverhauled
Vnesheconombankwillbetosupportlong-termprojects,attractiveprojectsinthishigh-techsector.
Weclearlyunderstandthatitispeoplewhocreateandusetechnologies.Talentedresearchers,qualified
engineersandworkersplayacrucialroleinmakingthenationaleconomycompetitive.Thereforeeducationis
somethingweshouldpayparticularattentiontointhenextfewyears.
Colleagues,obviouslytheissuesthatwearefacingcallfornewapproachestowarddevelopment
management,andherewearedeterminedtomakeactiveuseoftheprojectprinciple.Apresidentialcouncil
forstrategicdevelopmentandpriorityprojectswillbecreatedinthenearfuture.Itwillbeheadedbyyour
humbleservant,whilethecouncilpresidiumwillbeledbyPrimeMinisterDmitryMedvedev.
Thecouncilwilldealwithkeyprojectsaimedateffectingstructuralchangesintheeconomyandthesocial
sphere,andincreasinggrowthrates.Ihavespokenaboutsomeoftheseprojectstoday:raisinglabour
productivity,thebusinessclimate,supportforsmallandmedium-sizedbusiness,andexportsupport,among
others.
Plenarysessionmoderator,CNNhostFareedZakaria:Thankyoutoallthreeofyou:twopresidents,one
primeminister,thoughinItaly,youareallowedtosayPresidentRenzialso.Bytheformatwehaveagreed
upon,whatIwilldoiswewillbeginthisdiscussionfirstwithourhostpresident,PresidentPutin,andthenIwill
widenthatconversationtoincludePrimeMinisterRenziandPresidentNazarbayev.Westartedalittlebitlate,
sowewillgoalittlebitlonger.
PresidentPutin,letmeaskyouaverysimplequestion.Since2014,youhavehadEuropeanUnionsanctions
andUSsanctionsagainstRussia.NATOhasannouncedjustthisweekthatitisgoingtobuildupforces
instatesthatborderRussia.Russiahasannounceditsownbuildup.Arewesettlingintoalow-grade,lower-
levelcoldwarbetweentheWestandRussia?
VladimirPutin:IdonotwanttobelievethatwearemovingtowardsanotherColdWar,andIamsure
nobodywantsthis.Wecertainlydonot.Thereisnoneedforthis.Themainlogicbehindinternational
relationsdevelopmentisthatnomatterhowdramaticitmightseem,itisnotthelogicofglobal
confrontation.Whatistherootoftheproblem?
Iwilltellyou.Iwillhavetotakeyoubackintime.AfterthecollapseoftheSovietUnion,weexpectedoverall
prosperityandoveralltrust.Unfortunately,Russiahadtofacenumerouschallenges,speakinginmodernterms:
economic,socialanddomesticpolicy.Wecameupagainstseparatism,radicalism,aggressionofinternational
terror,becauseundoubtedlywewerefightingagainstAlQaedamilitantsintheCaucasus,itisanobviousfact,
andtherecanbenosecondthoughtsaboutit.Butinsteadofsupportfromourpartnersinourstrugglewith
theseproblems,wesadlycameacrosssomethingdifferentsupportfortheseparatists.Weweretold,Wedo
notacceptyourseparatistsatthetoppoliticallevel,onlyatthetechnological.
Verywell.Weappreciateit.Butwealsosawinformationsupport,financialsupportandadministrativebackup.
Later,afterwetackledthoseproblems,wentthroughserioushardships,wecametofaceanotherthing.
TheSovietUnionwasnomoretheWarsawPacthadceasedtoexist.Butforsomereason,NATOcontinues
toexpanditsinfrastructuretowardsRussiasborders.Itstartedlongbeforeyesterday.Montenegroisbecoming
a[NATO]member.WhoisthreateningMontenegro?Yousee,ourpositionisbeingtotallyignored.
Another,equallyimportant,orperhaps,themostimportantissueistheunilateralwithdrawal[oftheUS]from
theABMTreaty.TheABMTreatywasonceconcludedbetweentheSovietUnionandtheUnitedStates
foragoodreason.TworegionswereallowedtostayMoscowandthesiteofUSICBMsilos.
Thetreatywasdesignedtoprovideastrategicbalanceintheworld.However,theyunilaterallyquitthetreaty,
sayinginafriendlymanner,Thisisnotaimedagainstyou.Youwanttodevelopyouroffensivearms,andwe
assumeitisnotaimedagainstus.
Youknowwhytheysaidso?Itissimple:nobodyexpectedRussiaintheearly2000s,whenitwasstruggling
withitsdomesticproblems,tornapartbyinternalconflicts,politicalandeconomicproblems,tortured
byterrorists,torestoreitsdefencesector.Clearly,nobodyexpectedustobeabletomaintainourarsenals,let
alonehavenewstrategicweapons.Theythoughttheywouldbuilduptheirmissiledefenceforcesunilaterally
whileourarsenalswouldbeshrinking.
AllofthiswasdoneunderthepretextofcombattingtheIraniannuclearthreat.WhathasbecomeoftheIranian
nuclearthreatnow?Thereisnone,buttheprojectcontinues.Thisisthewayitis,stepbystep,oneafter
another,andsoon.
Thentheybegantosupportallkindsofcolourrevolutions,includingtheso-calledArabSpring.Theyfervently
supportedit.Howmanypositivetakesdidwehearonwhatwasgoingon?Whatdiditleadto?Chaos.
Iamnotinterestedinlayingblamenow.Isimplywanttosaythatifthispolicyofunilateralactionscontinues
andifstepsintheinternationalarenathatareverysensitivetotheinternationalcommunityarenotcoordinated
thensuchconsequencesareinevitable.Conversely,ifwelistentooneanotherandseekoutabalance
ofinterests,thiswillnothappen.Yes,itisadifficultprocess,theprocessofreachingagreement,butitis
theonlypathtoacceptablesolutions.
Ibelievethatifweensuresuchcooperation,therewillbenotalkofacoldwar.Afterall,sincetheArabSpring,
theyhavealreadyapproachedourborders.WhydidtheyhavetosupportthecoupinUkraine?Ihaveoften
spokenaboutthis.Theinternalpoliticalsituationthereiscomplicatedandtheoppositionthatisinpowernow
wouldmostlikelyhavecometopowerdemocratically,throughelections.Thatsit.Wewouldhaveworkedwith
themaswehadwiththegovernmentthatwasinpowerbeforePresidentYanukovych.
Butno,theyhadtoproceedwithacoup,casualties,unleashbloodshed,acivilwar,andscaretheRussian-
speakingpopulationofsoutheasternUkraineandCrimea.Allforthesakeofwhat?Andafterwehadto,simply
hadtotakemeasurestoprotectcertainsocialgroups,theybegantoescalatethesituation,ratchetingup
tensions.Inmyopinion,thisisbeingdone,amongotherthings,tojustifytheexistenceoftheNorthAtlantic
bloc.Theyneedanexternaladversary,anexternalenemyotherwisewhyisthisorganisationnecessary
inthefirstplace?ThereisnoWarsawPact,noSovietUnionwhoisitdirectedagainst?
Ifwecontinuetoactaccordingtothislogic,escalating[tensions]andredoublingeffortstoscareeachother,
thenonedayitwillcometoacoldwar.Ourlogicistotallydifferent.Itisfocusedoncooperationandthesearch
forcompromise.(Applause.)
FareedZakaria:Soletmeaskyou,MrPresident,thenwhatisthewayout?BecauseIsawaninterview
ofyoursthatyoudidwithDieWelt,theGermannewspaper,inwhichyousaid,thekeyproblemisthat
theMinskAccordshavenotbeenimplementedbytheGovernmentinUkraine,byKiev,theconstitutional
reforms.TheysayontheothersidethatinEasternUkraine,theviolencehasnotcomedown,
andtheseparatistsarenotrestrainingthemselves,andtheybelieveRussiashouldhelp.Sosinceneither
sideseemstobackdown,willthesanctionsjustcontinue,willthislow-gradecoldwarjustcontinue?What
isthewayout?
VladimirPutin:Anditisallaboutpeople,nomatterwhatyoucallthem.Itisaboutpeopletryingtoprotect
theirlegalrightsandinterests,whofearrepressioniftheseinterestsarenotupheldatthepoliticallevel.
IfwelookattheMinskagreements,thereareonlyafewpoints,andwediscussedthemallthroughthenight.
Whatwastheboneofcontention?Whataspectisofprimaryimportance?Andweagreedultimatelythat
politicalsolutionsthatensurethesecurityofpeoplelivinginDonbasswerethepriority.
Whatarethesepoliticalsolutions?Theyarelaiddownindetailintheagreements.Constitutionalamendments
thathadtobeadoptedbytheendof2015.Butwherearethey?Theyarenowheretobeseen.Thelaw
onaspecialstatusoftheseterritories,whichwecallunrecognizedrepublics,shouldhavebeenputinto
practice.Thelawhasbeenpassedbythecountrysparliamentbutstillhasntcomeintoeffect.Thereshould
havebeenanamnestylaw.ItwaspassedbytheUkrainianparliamentbutwasneversignedbythepresident,it
hasnoeffect.
Whatkindofelectionsarewetalkingabout?Whatsortofelectionprocesscanbeorganisedduringananti-
terroristoperation?Doanycountriesdothat?Wedonottalkaboutit,butdoesanyothercountryholdelection
campaignswhenananti-terroristoperationistakingplaceonitsterritory?
They[elections]havetobecancelledandourworkshouldfocusoneconomicandhumanitarianrestoration.
Nothingisbeingdone,nothingatall.Postponingtheseproblemsoveron-goingviolenceonthefrontlinesisjust
anexcuse.Whatishappeninginrealityisthatbothsidesareaccusingeachotherofopeningfire.Whydoyou
thinkitisseparatistswhoareshooting?Ifyouaskthem,theysay,ItisUkrainiangovernmentforces,
theUkrainianarmy.
Onesideopensfire,theothersiderespondsthatswhatexchangingfiremeans.Doyouthinkthisisagood
enoughreasontodelaypoliticalreforms?Onthecontrary,politicalreformsthatwillconstitutethefoundation
ofafinalsettlementonsecurityareapressingpriority.
Somethingshavetobedoneinparallel.IagreewithMrPoroshenkothattheOSCEmissionhastobe
reinforcedtothepointofauthorizingOSCEobserverstocarryfirearms.Otherthingscanbedonetoimprove
security.Butwecannotaffordtocontinueputtingoffkeypoliticaldecisionbycitingthelackofsecurity
inthearea.Thatsit.(Applause.)
FareedZakaria:Therearesomanyareastocoverwithyou,MrPresident,soletmegototheMiddle
East,whereRussiahashadaforcefulinterventiontobolstertheAssadregime.PresidentAssadnowsays
thathisgoalistotakebackeverysquareinchofhisterritory.DoyoubelievethatthesolutioninSyriais
thattheAssadregimeshouldtakebackandgoverneverysquareinchofSyria?
VladimirPutin:IthinkthattheproblemsofSyria,ofcourse,concernprimarilytheanti-terroriststruggle,
butthereismoretoit.ItgoeswithoutsayingthattheSyrianconflictisrootedincontradictionswithin
Syriansociety,andPresidentBasharal-Assadunderstandsthisverywell.Thetaskisnotjusttoexpand
controlovervariousterritories,althoughthisisveryimportant.Thepointistoensuretheconfidence
oftheentiresocietyandtrustbetweendifferentpartsofthissociety,andtoestablishonthisfoundation
amodernandefficientgovernmentthatwillbetrustedbythecountrysentirepopulation.Andpolitical
negotiationsaretheonlyroadtothis.Wehaveurgedthismorethanonce.Presidental-Assadalsospoke
aboutthisheacceptsthisprocess.
Whatneedstobedonetoday?ItisnecessarytojoinmoreactivelytheprocessofformingthenewConstitution
andtoconduct,onthisbasis,futureelections,bothpresidentialandparliamentary.WhenPresidental-Assad
wasinMoscow,wespokeaboutthiswithhimandhefullyagreedwiththis.Moreover,itisextremelyimportant
toconducttheelectionsunderstrictinternationalcontrol,withtheparticipationoftheUnitedNations.
YesterdaywediscussedthisissueindetailwithMrdeMisturaandtheUNSecretary-General.Theyallagree
withthis,butweneedaction.Wehopeverymuchthatourpartners,primarilyfromtheUnitedStates,willwork
withtheiralliesthatsupporttheoppositiontoencourageconstructivecooperationwiththeSyrianauthorities.
Whatdowemeanbythis?Ingeneral,whenIaskmycolleagues:Whyareyoudoingthis?theyreply:
Toasserttheprinciplesofdemocracy.Presidental-Assadsregimeisnotdemocraticandthetriumph
ofdemocracymustbeensured.Fine.Isdemocracyeverywherethere?No,notyetbutdemocracyshould
existinSyria.Ok.Andhowdoyoumakesocietydemocratic?Isitonlypossibletoachievethisbyforce
ofarmsorsimplybyforce?No,thismaybedoneonlywiththehelpofdemocraticinstitutions
andprocedures.Andwhataretheyallabout?Thereisnomoredemocraticwayofformingagovernmentthan
electionsonthebasisoffundamentallaw:aConstitutionthatisformulatedinaclearway,thatistransparent
andacceptedbytheoverwhelmingmajorityofsociety.PasstheConstitutionandholdelectionsonitsbasis.
Whatsbadaboutthis,especiallyiftheyareheldunderinternationalcontrol?
Occasionallywehearthatsomecountriesoftheregiondonotfullyunderstandwhatdemocracyis.Dowe
wanttoreplaceoneundemocraticregimewithanotherundemocraticone?Andifwestillwanttopromote
theprincipleofdemocracyletsdothisbydemocraticmeans.Butconsideringthisisacomplicatedprocess
andresultswillnotcometomorroworthedayaftertomorrowbutwillrequiretime,whilewestillneedtodo
somethingtoday,Iagreewiththeproposalsofourpartners,primarilyourAmericanpartnersthatsuggest
(Idontknow,maybeImsayingtoomuchalthough,ontheotherhand,thisUSproposalisknownintheregion,
andthenegotiatorsofbothsidesthegovernmentandtheoppositionarefamiliarwithitandIconsiderit
absolutelyacceptable),theysuggestedconsideringthepossibilityofbringingrepresentativesoftheopposition
intoexistingpowerstructures,forinstance,theGovernment.Itisnecessarytothinkaboutwhatpowersthis
Governmentwillhave.
However,itisimportantnottogotoofar.Itisnecessarytoproceedfromthecurrentrealitiesandtorefrainfrom
declaringunfeasible,unrealisticgoals.ManyofourpartnersaresayingthatAssadshouldgo.Todaytheyare
sayingno,letsrestructuregoverninginstitutionsinsuchandsuchaway,butinpracticaltermsitwillalso
meanhisdeparture.Butthisisalsounrealistic.Therefore,itisnecessarytoactcarefully,stepbystep,
graduallywinningtheconfidenceofallsidestotheconflict.
Ifthishappens,andIthinkthiswillhappeninanyeventandthesoonerthebetter,itwillbepossibletogo
furtherandspeakbothaboutsubsequentelectionsandafinalsettlement.Themainpointistoprevent
thecountryscollapse.Andifthingscontinuetogoastheyaretoday,collapsewillbecomeinevitable.Andthis
istheworst-casescenariobecausewecannotassumethatafterthecountryscollapsesomequasi-state
formationswillco-existinpeaceandharmony.No,thiswillbeadestabilisingfactorfortheregionandtherest
oftheworld.
FareedZakaria:Letmeaskyou,MrPresident,aboutanotherdemocracythatishavingaverydifferent
kindofdrama.YoumadesomecommentsabouttheAmericanRepublicanpresumptivenominee,Donald
Trump.Youcalledhimbrilliant,outstanding,talented.Thesecommentswerereportedaroundtheworld.
Iwaswondering,whatinhimledyoutothatjudgement,anddoyoustillholdthatjudgement?
VladimirPutin:Youarewellknowninourcountry,youpersonally.NotonlyasahostofamajorTV
corporation,butalsoasanintellectual.Whyareyoudistortingeverything?Thejournalistinyouisgetting
thebetteroftheanalyst.Look,whatdidIsay?IsaidinpassingthatTrumpisavividpersonality.Ishenot?
Heis.Ididnotascribeanyothercharacteristicstohim.However,whatIdefinitelynoteandwhat
IdefinitelywelcomeandIseenothingwrongaboutthis,justtheoppositeisthatMrTrumpsaidthathe
isreadyforthefull-scalerestorationofRussian-USrelations.Whatiswrongwiththat?Weallwelcome
this!Dontyou?
Weneverinterfereintheinternalpoliticsofothercountries,especiallytheUnitedStates.However,wewillwork
withanypresidentthattheUSpeoplevotefor.AlthoughIdonotthink,bytheway,thatWell,theylecture
everyoneonhowtoliveandondemocracy.Now,doyoureallythinkpresidentialelectionsthereare
democratic?Look,twiceinUShistoryapresidentwaselectedbyamajorityofelectors,butstandingbehind
thoseelectorswasasmallernumberofvoters.Isthatdemocracy?Andwhen(sometimeswehavedebates
withourcolleaguesweneveraccuseanyoneofanything,wesimplyhavedebates)wearetold:Donot
meddleinouraffairs.Mindyourownbusiness.Thisishowwedothings,wefeellikesaying:Wellthen,do
notmeddleinouraffairs.Whydoyou?Putyourownhouseinorderfirst.
But,toreiterate,indeed,thisisnoneofourbusinessalthough,inmyopinion,evenprosecutorstherechase
internationalobserversawayfrompollingstationsduringelectioncampaigns.USprosecutorsthreatentojail
them.However,thesearetheirownproblemsthisishowtheydothingsandtheylikeit.Americaisagreat
power,todayperhapstheonlysuperpower.Weacceptthis.WewanttoworkwiththeUnitedStatesandwe
arepreparedto.Nomatterhowtheseelectionsgo,eventuallytheywilltakeplace.Therewillbea[new]head
ofstatewithextensivepowers.Therearecomplicatedinternalpoliticalandeconomicprocessesatwork
intheUnitedStates.TheworldneedsapowerfulcountryliketheUnitedStates,andwealsoneedit.Butwe
donotneedittocontinuouslyinterfereinouraffairs,tellingushowtolive,andpreventingEuropefrombuilding
arelationshipwithus.
HowarethesanctionsthatyouhavementionedaffectingtheUnitedStates?Innowaywhatsoever.Itcouldnot
carelessaboutthesesanctionsbecausetheconsequencesofouractionsinresponsehavenoimpactonit.
TheyimpactEuropebutnottheUnitedStates.Zeroeffect.However,theAmericansaretellingtheirpartners:
Bepatient.Whyshouldthey?Idonotunderstand.Iftheywantto,letthem.
Wedonotlavishpraiseonanybody.Itsnoneofourbusiness.AsGermanssay,thisisnotourbeer.
Becausewhentheymaketheirchoice,wewillworkwithanypresidentwhohasreceivedthesupport
oftheAmericanpeople,inthehopethatitwillbeapersonwhoseekstodeveloprelationswithourcountry
andhelpbuildamoresecureworld.
FareedZakaria:Justtobeclear,MrPresident,thewordbrilliantwasintheInterfaxtranslation,Irealize
thatothertranslationsmightsaybright,butIusedtheofficialInterfaxtranslation.Butletmeaskyou
aboutanotherpersonyouhavedealtwithagreatdeal.MrTrump,you'venevermet.HillaryClintonwas
SecretaryofState.InyourverylongquestionsandanswerswiththeRussianpeople,youmadeajoke
whensomebodyaskedyouaboutheryousaid,IthinkthattheRussiaidiomis,thehusbandandwifeis
thesamedevil.AndwhatitmeansintheEnglishversionis,it'stwosidesofthesamecoin.Whatdidyou
meanbythat,andhowdidshedoasSecretaryofState?Youdealtwithherextensively.
VladimirPutin:Ididnotworkwithher,Lavrovdid.Askhim.Heissittinghere.
Iwasnotaforeignminister,butSergeiLavrovwas.Hewillsoontie[SovietForeignMinisterAndrei]Gromyko.
(AddressingSergeiLavrov.)Howlonghaveyoubeeninoffice?
IworkedwithBillClinton,althoughforaveryshorttime,andwehadaverygoodrelationship.Icanevensay
thatIamgratefultohimforcertainmomentsasIwasenteringthebigstageinpolitics.Onseveraloccasions,
heshowedsignsofattention,respectformepersonally,aswellasforRussia.IrememberthisandIam
gratefultohim.
AboutMsClinton.PerhapsshehasherownviewonthedevelopmentofRussian-USrelations.Youknow,there
issomethingIwouldliketodraw[your]attentionto,whichhasnothingtodowithRussian-USrelationsorwith
nationalpolitics.Itisrelated,rather,topersonnelpolicy.
Inmyexperience,Ihaveoftenseenwhathappenswithpeoplebeforetheytakeonacertainjobandafterward.
Often,youcannotrecognisethem,becauseoncetheyreachanewlevelofresponsibilitytheybegintotalk
andthinkdifferently,theyevenlookdifferent.Weactontheassumptionthatthesenseofresponsibility
oftheUSheadofstate,theheadofthecountryonwhichagreatdealintheworlddependstoday,thatthis
senseofresponsibilitywillencouragethenewlyelectedpresidenttocooperatewithRussiaand,Iwouldlike
torepeat,buildamoresecureworld.
FareedZakaria:PresidentPutin,letmefinallyaskyouonequestionaboutnewsreportsaboutRussian
athletes.TherearenowtwomajorinvestigationsthathaveshownthatRussianathleteshaveengaged
indopingonamassivescale,andthattherehasbeenasystematicevasionanddoctoringoftestingandlab
samples.AndIwasjustwonderingwhatyoureactiontothesereportsis.
VladimirPutin:Ididnotunderstandwhatkindofprogrammeitistotamperwiththesamplesthatwere
collectedfortests?Ifsamplesarecollectedtheyareimmediatelytransferredtointernationalorganisations
forstorageandwehavenothingtodowiththem.Samplesarecollectedandtakensomewhere,
toLausanneorwherever,Idonotknowwhere,buttheyarenotonRussianterritory.Theycanbe
opened,re-checked,andthisiswhatspecialistsaredoingnow.
DopingisnotonlyaRussianproblem.Itisaproblemoftheentiresportsworld.Ifsomebodytriestopoliticise
somethinginthissphere,Ithinkthisisabigmistake,becausejustlikeculture,forexample,sportcannotbe
politicised.Thesearethebridgesthatbringpeople,nationsandstatesclosertogether.Thisistheway
toapproachit,nottrytoforgesomeanti-Russianoranti-whateverpolicyonthisbasis.
AsfortheRussianauthorities,Icanassureyou,wearecategoricallyagainstalldopingforseveralreasons.
First,asaformeramateurathlete,Icantellyou,andIthinkthattheoverwhelmingmajorityofpeoplewillagree
withthis:ifweknowthereisdoping,itsnotinterestingtowatchtheeventmillionsoffansloseinterest
inthesport.
Second,nolessimportant,andmaybeevenmostimportant,thereisthehealthoftheathletesthemselves.
Youcantjustifyanythingthatdamageshealth.Thisiswhywehavecombatedandwillcontinuetocombat
dopinginsportonthenationallevel.
Furthermore,asfarasIknow,theProsecutorGeneralsOfficeandtheInvestigativeCommitteehavebeen
closelylookingintoallfactsreportedinthemedia,amongothers.Simply,thismustnotbeturnedinto
acampaign,especiallyacampaigndisparagingsport,includingRussiansport.
Next,thethirdpointIwouldliketomake.Thereisalegalconceptthatsaysresponsibilitycanonlybe
individual.Collectiveresponsibilitycannotbeimposedonallathletesorathletesofacertainsportsfederationif
certainindividualshavebeencaughtdoping.Anentireteamcannotbeheldresponsibleforthosewhohave
committedthisviolation.Ibelievethatthisisanabsolutelynatural,correctapproach.
However,dopingisnottheonlyproblemtoday.Thereareplentyofproblemsinsport.Euro2016isunderway.
Ibelievethatlessattentionisbeingpaidtofootballthantobrawlingbetweenfans.ThisisverysadandIregret
this,butheretooweshouldalwaysproceedfromsomegeneralcriteria.Toreiterate,responsibility
formisconductshouldbeindividualisedasmuchaspossibleandtheapproachtowardperpetratorsshouldbe
thesame.
Euro2016beganwithahigh-profilecase:afightbetweenRussianandBritishfans.Thisisabsolutely
outrageous.Granted,Idonotknowhow200RussianfanswereabletopummelseveralthousandBritons.Ido
notunderstand.Butinanycase,lawenforcementagenciesshouldtakethesameapproachtowardall
perpetrators.
Thisisthewaywehaveorganisedthisworkandwillcontinuetocombatdopingandenforcedisciplineamong
fans.Wewillworkwiththesefanassociations.Iverymuchhopethatthereareplentyofintelligent,sensible
peopleamongthefans,whoreallylovesportandwhounderstandthatviolationsdonothingtosupporttheir
teambut,onthecontrary,causedamagetotheteamandtosport.However,agreatdealhasyettobedone
here,includinginconjunctionwithour[foreign]colleagues.
Iwouldliketostressthattherehasbeenabsolutelynosupportandcanbeabsolutelynosupportforviolations
insport,letalonedopingviolations,atthestatelevel.Wehaveworkedandwillcontinuetoworkwithall
internationalorganisationsinthissphere.
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http://slon.ru/posts/69481
ThisisthefirstSt.PetersburgforumnotshunnedbyWesternpoliticalelitesinacoupleofyearsRussiawantstoshowWestern
businessthattherearepossibilitiesforreformThesanctionshavenotbeenremoved,theMinskagreementsnotfulfilled,butthere
hasbeenacertainloweringoftensionsTheKremliniscautiouslyrehabilitatingthesystemicliberalsKudrinhasinformalstatus
asthemainreformer,withassistancefromGrefVlast,notveryconvincingly,ismakingnoisesaboutimprovingconditionsfor
privatebusinessGestureshavebeenmadetoeasetensionswiththeWestSavchenko,forexample,wasreleasedtheresa
certainwearinesswithconfrontationTherehasbeensomemovementawayfromtheconservativetrenddomestically
Pavlenskiyhasbeenreleased(http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-pavlensky-artist-fined-cultural-site-fsb/27786266.html)...The
messagetoWesterninvestorsisclearRussiadoesnotwanttobeNorthKoreaorevenBelarusRussianeedsdirectinvestment
andbudgetproblemsarepushingvlasttowardmakingapoliticaldecisiononstructuralreforms
ThewearinessofbothRussiaandtheWestwithsanctionsinthemid-termcouldatleastleadtotheirweakening.Thedeclineofthe
economyhassloweddownandsomeoptimistsexpectgrowthbytheendoftheyearTheUkrainecrisiscouldberoutinized,
pushedtothebackburnerinfavorofcooperatingoncombattingterrorismPutinwantstolowertensionswiththeAmericans
Yetthearbitrarybehaviorofcourts,taxterrorism,corruption,andnightmaringbusinesseshaveonlybecomeworseAverage
investorswithoutspecialconnectionsarewaitingforasignofvlastsintensionsandofamoretransparenteconomicpolicyIts
doubtfulthatwillhappenandforeignbusinesssurelyunderstandsthatForeigninvestorswanttoknowaboutconcrete
economicdevelopmentplans,taxpolicy,aboutwhetherGlazyevistakenseriouslyandwhetherKudrinisaroundjustforwindow
dressing.Arethesilovikytakingpartindiscussionsoneconomicpolicytemporarilyoristheyheretostay?
Putinwantstheeconomytoimprove,butwithoutchanginganythinginstitutionallyThewaytohaveinfluenceinRussiais
througharelationshipwithoneofPutinsfriends,whooftenhavemoreinfluencethanministers.Soinvestorswanttoknowwhata
particularpersonsaccesstoPutinreallyis,whatkindofinfluenceapersonmighthaveonaministerAndinvestorsseeasociety
thatisdistrustful,evenhatefultowardtheWest,onewhereoppositionpoliticalfiguresareindanger,whereonehastobewaryof
provocationsbycompetitorsAndtheYukoscase,theMagnitskiyaffair,andthecaseagainsttheownersandmanagersof
Domodedovoairportarestillverymuchonthemindsofforeigninvestors
InRussia,ifyoumoveoneway,youloseyourbusiness,anotherandyouloseyourlife.Ifyoumovejustright,youcanbecomea
billionaire
http://vk.com/id244477574?w=wall244477574_18809/all
RussiasconciliatorygesturestoAmericaarebeingmadefortworeasons:One,becauseitistheAmericansblockingEuropean
revisionismregardingRussiaandtwo,becauseMoscowisworriedaboutreputationalscandalstheremaybemoretocome,
provokingaspiltintheRussianelite
HTTP://WWW.YAHOO.COM/NEWS/GERMANY-SLAMS-NATO-WARMONGERING-RUSSIA-115515814.HTML?REF=GS
GermanForeignMinisterFrank-WalterSteinmeierhascriticisedNATOforhavingabellicosepolicytowardsRussia,describingitas
"warmongering",theGermandailyBildreported.
SteinmeierpointedtothedeploymentofNATOtroopsnearborderswithRussiainthemilitaryalliance'sBalticandeastEuropean
memberstates.
"Whatweshouldavoidtodayisinflamingthesituationbywarmongeringandstompingboots,"SteinmeiertoldBildinaninterviewto
bepublishedSunday.
"Anyonewhothinksyoucanincreasesecurityinthealliancewithsymbolicparadesoftanksneartheeasternborders,ismistaken,"
Germany'stopdiplomatadded.
NATOhadannouncedonMondaythatitwoulddeployfourbattalionstoEstonia,Latvia,LithuaniaandPolandtocounteramore
assertiveRussia,aheadofalandmarksummitinWarsawnextmonth.
AllfourcountrieswereonceruledfromMoscowandremaindeeplysuspiciousofRussianintentions,especiallyafterRussia's
annexationofCrimeafromUkrainein2014.
InaninterviewwithBildonThursday,NATOchiefJensStoltenbergsaidRussiaisseekingtocreate"azoneofinfluencethrough
militarymeans".
"WeareobservingmassivemilitarisationatNATOborders--intheArctic,intheBaltic,fromtheBlackSeatotheMediterranean
Sea,"hetoldthenewspaper.
StoltenberghasstressedthatNATOdoesnotseekconfrontationwithRussiaandwantsaconstructivedialoguebutthatitwould
defendthe28alliesagainstanythreat
RussiabitterlyopposesNATO'sexpansionintoitsSoviet-erasatellitesandlastmonthsaiditwouldcreatethreenewdivisionsinits
southwestregiontomeetwhatitdescribedasadangerousmilitarybuild-upalongitsborders.
Senttime: 06/18/201610:02:27AM
fans)
fans)
Seeyesterdaysnotes.
IdidabriefsummaryofPutinsspeechandincludedalinktotheRussianinyesterdaysnotes.HereareexcerptsfromanEnglish
versionofthespeech:http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52178
Thestructuralproblemsaccumulatedbytheglobaleconomystillpersist,andwehavenotyetputoureconomyonthegrowthtrajectory.
Incidentally,currentgeopoliticaltensionsarerelated,tosomeextent,toeconomicuncertainty
andtheexhaustingoftheoldsourcesofgrowth.Thereisariskitmayincreaseorevenbeartificiallyprovoked.
Itisourcommoninteresttofindacreativeandconstructivewayoutofthissituation.
Theworldsleadingeconomiesarelookingforsourcesofgrowth,andtheyarelookingtocapitalise
ontheenormousexistingandgrowingpotentialofdigitalandindustrialtechnologies,robotics,energy,
biotechnology,medicineandotherfields.Discoveriesintheseareascanleadtotruetechnologicalrevolutions,
toanexplosivegrowthoflabourproductivity.Thisisalreadyhappeningandwillhappeninevitablythereis
impendingrestructuringofentireindustries,thedevaluationofmanyfacilitiesandassets.Thiswillalter
thedemandforskillsandcompetencies,andcompetitionwillescalateinbothtraditionalandemerging
markets.
Infact,eventodaywecanseeattemptstosecureorevenmonopolisethebenefitsofnextgeneration
technologies.This,Ithink,isthemotivebehindthecreationofrestrictedareaswithregulatorybarriers
toreducethecross-flowofbreakthroughtechnologiestootherregionsoftheworldwithfairlytightcontrolover
cooperationchainsformaximumgainfromtechnologicaladvances.Wehavediscussedthiswithour
colleaguessomesayitispossible.Ithinknot.Onecancontrolthespreadofcertaintechnologiesforawhile,
butintoday'sworlditwouldbenexttoimpossibletokeeptheminacontainedarea,evenalargearea.Yet,
theseeffortscouldleadtobasicsciences,nowopentosharingofknowledgeandinformationthroughjoint
projects,gettingclosedtoo,withseparationbarrierscomingup.
Over40statesandinternationalorganisationshaveexpressedthedesiretoestablishafreetradezonewith
theEurasianEconomicUnion.OurpartnersandwethinkthattheEAEUcanbecomeoneofthecentres
ofagreateremergentintegrationarea.Amongotherbenefits,wecanaddressambitioustechnological
problemswithinitsframework,promotetechnologicalprogressandattractnewmembers.Wediscussedthis
inAstanaquiterecently.NowweproposeconsideringtheprospectsformoreextensiveEurasianpartnership
involvingtheEAEUandcountrieswithwhichwealreadyhaveclosepartnershipChina,India,Pakistan
andIranandcertainlyourCISpartners,andotherinterestedcountriesandassociations.
AsearlyasJunewe,alongwithourChinesecolleagues,areplanningtostartofficialtalksontheformation
ofcomprehensivetradeandeconomicpartnershipinEurasiawiththeparticipationoftheEuropeanUnion
statesandChina.IexpectthatthiswillbecomeoneofthefirststepstowardtheformationofamajorEurasian
partnership.WewillcertainlyresumethediscussionofthismajorprojectattheEasternEconomicForum
inVladivostokinearlySeptember.Colleagues,Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytoinviteallofyoutotake
partinit.
Friends,theprojectIhavejustmentionedthegreaterEurasiaprojectis,ofcourse,openforEurope,
andIamconvincedthatsuchcooperationmaybemutuallybeneficial.Despiteallofthewell-knownproblems
inourrelations,theEuropeanUnionremainsRussiaskeytradeandeconomicpartner.Itisournext-door
neighbourandwearenotindifferenttowhatishappeninginthelivesofourneighbours,Europeancountries
andtheEuropeaneconomy.
ThechallengeofthetechnologicalrevolutionandstructuralchangesarenolessurgentfortheEUthan
forRussia.IalsounderstandourEuropeanpartnerswhentheytalkaboutthecomplicateddecisionsforEurope
thatweremadeatthetalksontheformationoftheTrans-Atlanticpartnership.Obviously,Europehasavast
potentialandastakeonjustoneregionalassociationclearlynarrowsitsopportunities.Under
thecircumstances,itisdifficultforEuropetomaintainbalanceandpreservespaceforagainfulmanoeuvre.
AstherecentmeetingswithrepresentativesoftheGermanandFrenchbusinesscircleshaveshowed,
Europeanbusinessiswillingandreadytocooperatewiththiscountry.Politiciansshouldmeetbusinesses
halfwaybydisplayingwisdom,andafar-sightedandflexibleapproach.WemustreturntrusttoRussian-
Europeanrelationsandrestorethelevelofourcooperation.
Werememberhowitallstarted.Russiadidnotinitiatethecurrentbreakdown,disruption,problems
andsanctions.Allouractionshavebeenexclusivelyreciprocal.Butwedontholdagrudge,astheysay,
andarereadytomeetourEuropeanpartnershalfway.However,thiscanbynomeansbeaone-waystreet.
LetmerepeatthatweareinterestedinEuropeansjoiningtheprojectforamajorEurasianpartnership.Inthis
contextwewelcometheinitiativeofthePresidentofKazakhstanonholdingconsultationsbetween
theEurasianEconomicUnionandtheEU.Yesterdaywediscussedthisissueatthemeetingwith
thePresidentoftheEuropeanCommission.
Russiahasmanagedtoresolvethemosturgentcurrentproblemsintheeconomy.Wehopegrowthwill
resumeinthenearfuture.Wehavemaintainedreservesandsubstantiallyreducedcapitaldrainbyfivetimes
comparedwiththefirstquarterof2016.Inflationisgoingdownaswell.Ithasfallenalmostinhalfifwecompare
severalmonthsin20142015withthesameperiodin20152016.Ibelievethatitispossibletobringinflation
downto45percentasearlyasinthemid-termperspective.
Inaddition,itisnecessarytograduallydecreasethebudgetdeficitandthedependenceonrevenuesfrom
hydrocarbonsandotherrawmaterials.Thisincludescuttingournon-oilandgasdeficitatleastinhalf
inthenext5to7years.
Thecurrentslowdownisaglobaltrend.
Akeyfactorthatpredeterminestheoverallcompetitivenessoftheeconomy,marketdynamics,GDPgrowth
andhigherwagesislaborproductivity.Weneedhigherlaborproductivityatlargeandmedium-sized
enterprises:inindustry,intheconstructionandthetransportsectorsandinagriculturenolessthan5
percentayear.Thisappearstobeachallengingandevenunattainablegoal,ifwelookatwhatishappening
heretoday.Atthesametime,theexamplesofnumerousenterprises,aswellasofentiremanufacturing
sectors,suchastheaircraftindustry,thechemicalindustry,pharmaceuticsandagriculture,showthatthis
goalisquitefeasibleandrealistic.
Wewilldeveloplegislation,taxregulatorsandtechnicalstandardstoincentivisecompaniestoraiselabour
productivityandintroducelabourandenergysavingtechnology.Withthegrowthoflabourproductivity,
inefficientemploymentwillinevitablyshrink,whichmeanswewillneedtosubstantiallyincreasethelabour
marketsflexibility,toofferpeoplenewopportunities.Wewillbeabletoresolvethisproblemprimarily
bycreatingmorejobsatsmallandmedium-sizedbusinesses.Thenumberofpeople(whatIamgoingtosayis
veryimportant)employedatsmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesshouldgrowfromtoday's18million
byatleast1.4millionby2020andbymorethan3millionby2025.Itwillbedifficulttoincreasesupport
forsmallandmedium-sizedbusinesses,andstillhardertoconsistentlybuildanicheforitsoperation.Butit
needstobedone.
Ishouldaddthatourimportreplacementprogrammeisalsoaimedatmanufacturinggoodsthatare
competitiveontheglobalmarket.Andinthissense,Iwouldalsoliketostressthatimportreplacementis
animportantstageforexpandingexportsinsectorsotherthanrawmaterialsandfindingaplaceforour
companiesinglobalmanufacturingandtechnologicalalliancesandnotinsecondaryroles,butasstrong
andeffectivepartners.
Friends,wewillcontinuetofurtherliberaliseandimprovethebusinessclimate.Iknowagreatdealhasbeen
saidaboutthisatforumeventstodayandyesterday.Wewilltacklesystemicproblems,ofwhichwestillhave
plenty.Thisincludesimprovingtransparencyandbalancingrelationsbetweengovernmentagencies
andbusinesses.Theserelationsshouldbebuiltonunderstandingandmutualresponsibility,meticulous
observanceandcompliancewithlawsandrespectfortheinterestsofthestateandsociety,
andtheunconditionalvalueoftheinstitutionofprivateproperty.
Itisessentialtodrasticallyreduceillegalcriminalprosecutions.Furthermore,representativesofsecurity
andlawenforcementagenciesshouldbemadepersonallyliableforunjustifiedactionsleading
tothedestructionofabusinessenterprise.Ibelievethatthisliabilitycanbecriminal.
Irealizethatthisisaverysensitiveissue.Wecannotandshouldnotbindourlawenforcementagencieshand
andfoot.However,withoutadoubt,thereisaneedforbalancehere,forafirmbarriertoanyabusesofpower.
TheleadershipoftheProsecutorGeneralsOffice,theInvestigativeCommittee,theInteriorMinistry
andtheFederalSecurityServiceshouldcontinuouslymonitorthesituationonthegroundand,ifnecessary,
takemeasurestoimprovelegislation.
Iasktheworkinggrouponlawenforcementinentrepreneurialactivity,whichisheadedbyChiefofStaff
ofthePresidentialExecutiveOfficeSergeiIvanov,tofocusontheseissuesaswell.IshouldaddthatIhave
alreadysubmittedtoparliamentapackageofdraftlawspreparedbytheworkinggroup,designedtohumanise
theso-calledeconomicstatutes[oftheCriminalCode].Thatsaid,itisalsoimportanttoguaranteebusinesses
andallcitizenstherighttofairandimpartialdefenceincourt.
TheRussianjudicialcommunityhasdoneagooddealrecentlytoimprovethequalityofthecourtsystem.
ThemergingoftheSupremeandtheHigherArbitrationcourtshasplayedapositiveroleinensuring
theuniformityoflawenforcement.Ibelieveitisnecessarytomovefurthertowardenhancingtheresponsibility
ofjudgesandmakingthejudicialprocessmoretransparent.
Amajorroleincreatingafavorablebusinessenvironment,withoutadoubt,belongstoRussianregions.Iknow
thatthiswasdiscussedatforumeventsinthemorning,andtheresultsoftheannualnationalinvestment
climateratingswereannounced.Iwouldliketojoinincongratulatingthewinnersandremindyouthattheseare
TatarstanandtheBelgorodandKalugaregions.Iwouldalsoliketonotethesignificantprogressmade
bytheTula,Vladimir,Tyumen,Kirov,LipetskandOrelregions,andthecityofMoscow.
Whatstandsouthere?Judgingbytheresults,acoregroupofleadershasalreadyemerged,whoareinvariably
atthetopofrankings.Thenaturalquestionis:Wherearetheothers?IasktheGovernment,inconjunctionwith
businesscommunities,toconsideradditionalmechanismstorewardthebestregionaladministrativeteams.
Ontheotherhand,wewilltakeseriousmeasures,includingdismissals,withregardtoregionalleaderswhodo
notunderstandthatbusinesssupportisamajorresourceforregionalandnationaldevelopment.Iwouldlike
mycolleaguesintheregions,aboveall,regionalleaderstohearme.Wewillseriouslyanalysewhatis
happeninginthissphereineachRussianregionanddiscusstheissueindepthintheautumn.
Ladiesandgentlemen,IhavealreadytalkedaboutRussiasparticipationincooperativescientificresearch
projects,inparticularwithEuropeancountries.Itisessentialtoaddthatwehaveacoreadvantages
inphysics,mathematicsandchemistry.Asyouknow,recentlywehonouredscientistswhowontheNational
Award,whohavemadebrilliantbreakthroughsinbiology,geneticsandmedicine.Russianmicrobiologistshave
developed,forexample,aneffectivevaccineagainstEbola.Nationalcompaniesaregoingtobringanentireline
ofunmannedvehiclestothemarketandareworkingonenergydistributionandstorage,anddigitalsea
navigationsystems.Wehavepracticallyputinplaceatechnologicaldevelopmentmanagementsystem.What
doesthisentailandwhatwouldIliketosayinthiscontext?
First.TherecentlyformedTechnologyDevelopmentAgencywillhelpapplycurrentresearchtoreal
manufacturingandsetupjointventureswithforeignpartners.
Second.Anothermechanismwillbeinusestartingin2019.Majormanufacturerswillbemadelegallybound
tousethemostadvancedtechnologiesmeetingthehighestenvironmentalstandards.Hopefully,thiswillgive
aseriousboosttoindustrialmodernisation.Manyneighbouringcountriesintroducedsuchrequirementslong
ago.Wehavehadtoputoffthesechangesduetoproblemsintherealeconomicsectors,butwecantkeep
postponingitanymore.Ourbusinesscolleaguesknowthisandmustbeprepared.
Andfinally,third.TheNationalTechnologyInitiativecoversprojectsofthefuturebasedontechnologiesthatwill
createfundamentallynewmarketsinadecadeortwo.IwouldliketoasktheGovernmenttopromptlyremove
administrative,legislativeandotherobstaclesblockingthedevelopmentoffuturemarkets.Itisessential
tobackuptechnologicaldevelopmentwithfinancialresources.Therefore,thekeytaskfacingtheoverhauled
Vnesheconombankwillbetosupportlong-termprojects,attractiveprojectsinthishigh-techsector.
Weclearlyunderstandthatitispeoplewhocreateandusetechnologies.Talentedresearchers,qualified
engineersandworkersplayacrucialroleinmakingthenationaleconomycompetitive.Thereforeeducationis
somethingweshouldpayparticularattentiontointhenextfewyears.
Colleagues,obviouslytheissuesthatwearefacingcallfornewapproachestowarddevelopment
management,andherewearedeterminedtomakeactiveuseoftheprojectprinciple.Apresidentialcouncil
forstrategicdevelopmentandpriorityprojectswillbecreatedinthenearfuture.Itwillbeheadedbyyour
humbleservant,whilethecouncilpresidiumwillbeledbyPrimeMinisterDmitryMedvedev.
Thecouncilwilldealwithkeyprojectsaimedateffectingstructuralchangesintheeconomyandthesocial
sphere,andincreasinggrowthrates.Ihavespokenaboutsomeoftheseprojectstoday:raisinglabour
productivity,thebusinessclimate,supportforsmallandmedium-sizedbusiness,andexportsupport,among
others.
Plenarysessionmoderator,CNNhostFareedZakaria:Thankyoutoallthreeofyou:twopresidents,one
primeminister,thoughinItaly,youareallowedtosayPresidentRenzialso.Bytheformatwehaveagreed
upon,whatIwilldoiswewillbeginthisdiscussionfirstwithourhostpresident,PresidentPutin,andthenIwill
widenthatconversationtoincludePrimeMinisterRenziandPresidentNazarbayev.Westartedalittlebitlate,
sowewillgoalittlebitlonger.
PresidentPutin,letmeaskyouaverysimplequestion.Since2014,youhavehadEuropeanUnionsanctions
andUSsanctionsagainstRussia.NATOhasannouncedjustthisweekthatitisgoingtobuildupforces
instatesthatborderRussia.Russiahasannounceditsownbuildup.Arewesettlingintoalow-grade,lower-
levelcoldwarbetweentheWestandRussia?
VladimirPutin:IdonotwanttobelievethatwearemovingtowardsanotherColdWar,andIamsure
nobodywantsthis.Wecertainlydonot.Thereisnoneedforthis.Themainlogicbehindinternational
relationsdevelopmentisthatnomatterhowdramaticitmightseem,itisnotthelogicofglobal
confrontation.Whatistherootoftheproblem?
Iwilltellyou.Iwillhavetotakeyoubackintime.AfterthecollapseoftheSovietUnion,weexpectedoverall
prosperityandoveralltrust.Unfortunately,Russiahadtofacenumerouschallenges,speakinginmodernterms:
economic,socialanddomesticpolicy.Wecameupagainstseparatism,radicalism,aggressionofinternational
terror,becauseundoubtedlywewerefightingagainstAlQaedamilitantsintheCaucasus,itisanobviousfact,
andtherecanbenosecondthoughtsaboutit.Butinsteadofsupportfromourpartnersinourstrugglewith
theseproblems,wesadlycameacrosssomethingdifferentsupportfortheseparatists.Weweretold,Wedo
notacceptyourseparatistsatthetoppoliticallevel,onlyatthetechnological.
Verywell.Weappreciateit.Butwealsosawinformationsupport,financialsupportandadministrativebackup.
Later,afterwetackledthoseproblems,wentthroughserioushardships,wecametofaceanotherthing.
TheSovietUnionwasnomoretheWarsawPacthadceasedtoexist.Butforsomereason,NATOcontinues
toexpanditsinfrastructuretowardsRussiasborders.Itstartedlongbeforeyesterday.Montenegroisbecoming
a[NATO]member.WhoisthreateningMontenegro?Yousee,ourpositionisbeingtotallyignored.
Another,equallyimportant,orperhaps,themostimportantissueistheunilateralwithdrawal[oftheUS]from
theABMTreaty.TheABMTreatywasonceconcludedbetweentheSovietUnionandtheUnitedStates
foragoodreason.TworegionswereallowedtostayMoscowandthesiteofUSICBMsilos.
Thetreatywasdesignedtoprovideastrategicbalanceintheworld.However,theyunilaterallyquitthetreaty,
sayinginafriendlymanner,Thisisnotaimedagainstyou.Youwanttodevelopyouroffensivearms,andwe
assumeitisnotaimedagainstus.
Youknowwhytheysaidso?Itissimple:nobodyexpectedRussiaintheearly2000s,whenitwasstruggling
withitsdomesticproblems,tornapartbyinternalconflicts,politicalandeconomicproblems,tortured
byterrorists,torestoreitsdefencesector.Clearly,nobodyexpectedustobeabletomaintainourarsenals,let
alonehavenewstrategicweapons.Theythoughttheywouldbuilduptheirmissiledefenceforcesunilaterally
whileourarsenalswouldbeshrinking.
AllofthiswasdoneunderthepretextofcombattingtheIraniannuclearthreat.WhathasbecomeoftheIranian
nuclearthreatnow?Thereisnone,buttheprojectcontinues.Thisisthewayitis,stepbystep,oneafter
another,andsoon.
Thentheybegantosupportallkindsofcolourrevolutions,includingtheso-calledArabSpring.Theyfervently
supportedit.Howmanypositivetakesdidwehearonwhatwasgoingon?Whatdiditleadto?Chaos.
Iamnotinterestedinlayingblamenow.Isimplywanttosaythatifthispolicyofunilateralactionscontinues
andifstepsintheinternationalarenathatareverysensitivetotheinternationalcommunityarenotcoordinated
thensuchconsequencesareinevitable.Conversely,ifwelistentooneanotherandseekoutabalance
ofinterests,thiswillnothappen.Yes,itisadifficultprocess,theprocessofreachingagreement,butitis
theonlypathtoacceptablesolutions.
Ibelievethatifweensuresuchcooperation,therewillbenotalkofacoldwar.Afterall,sincetheArabSpring,
theyhavealreadyapproachedourborders.WhydidtheyhavetosupportthecoupinUkraine?Ihaveoften
spokenaboutthis.Theinternalpoliticalsituationthereiscomplicatedandtheoppositionthatisinpowernow
wouldmostlikelyhavecometopowerdemocratically,throughelections.Thatsit.Wewouldhaveworkedwith
themaswehadwiththegovernmentthatwasinpowerbeforePresidentYanukovych.
Butno,theyhadtoproceedwithacoup,casualties,unleashbloodshed,acivilwar,andscaretheRussian-
speakingpopulationofsoutheasternUkraineandCrimea.Allforthesakeofwhat?Andafterwehadto,simply
hadtotakemeasurestoprotectcertainsocialgroups,theybegantoescalatethesituation,ratchetingup
tensions.Inmyopinion,thisisbeingdone,amongotherthings,tojustifytheexistenceoftheNorthAtlantic
bloc.Theyneedanexternaladversary,anexternalenemyotherwisewhyisthisorganisationnecessary
inthefirstplace?ThereisnoWarsawPact,noSovietUnionwhoisitdirectedagainst?
Ifwecontinuetoactaccordingtothislogic,escalating[tensions]andredoublingeffortstoscareeachother,
thenonedayitwillcometoacoldwar.Ourlogicistotallydifferent.Itisfocusedoncooperationandthesearch
forcompromise.(Applause.)
FareedZakaria:Soletmeaskyou,MrPresident,thenwhatisthewayout?BecauseIsawaninterview
ofyoursthatyoudidwithDieWelt,theGermannewspaper,inwhichyousaid,thekeyproblemisthat
theMinskAccordshavenotbeenimplementedbytheGovernmentinUkraine,byKiev,theconstitutional
reforms.TheysayontheothersidethatinEasternUkraine,theviolencehasnotcomedown,
andtheseparatistsarenotrestrainingthemselves,andtheybelieveRussiashouldhelp.Sosinceneither
sideseemstobackdown,willthesanctionsjustcontinue,willthislow-gradecoldwarjustcontinue?What
isthewayout?
VladimirPutin:Anditisallaboutpeople,nomatterwhatyoucallthem.Itisaboutpeopletryingtoprotect
theirlegalrightsandinterests,whofearrepressioniftheseinterestsarenotupheldatthepoliticallevel.
IfwelookattheMinskagreements,thereareonlyafewpoints,andwediscussedthemallthroughthenight.
Whatwastheboneofcontention?Whataspectisofprimaryimportance?Andweagreedultimatelythat
politicalsolutionsthatensurethesecurityofpeoplelivinginDonbasswerethepriority.
Whatarethesepoliticalsolutions?Theyarelaiddownindetailintheagreements.Constitutionalamendments
thathadtobeadoptedbytheendof2015.Butwherearethey?Theyarenowheretobeseen.Thelaw
onaspecialstatusoftheseterritories,whichwecallunrecognizedrepublics,shouldhavebeenputinto
practice.Thelawhasbeenpassedbythecountrysparliamentbutstillhasntcomeintoeffect.Thereshould
havebeenanamnestylaw.ItwaspassedbytheUkrainianparliamentbutwasneversignedbythepresident,it
hasnoeffect.
Whatkindofelectionsarewetalkingabout?Whatsortofelectionprocesscanbeorganisedduringananti-
terroristoperation?Doanycountriesdothat?Wedonottalkaboutit,butdoesanyothercountryholdelection
campaignswhenananti-terroristoperationistakingplaceonitsterritory?
They[elections]havetobecancelledandourworkshouldfocusoneconomicandhumanitarianrestoration.
Nothingisbeingdone,nothingatall.Postponingtheseproblemsoveron-goingviolenceonthefrontlinesisjust
anexcuse.Whatishappeninginrealityisthatbothsidesareaccusingeachotherofopeningfire.Whydoyou
thinkitisseparatistswhoareshooting?Ifyouaskthem,theysay,ItisUkrainiangovernmentforces,
theUkrainianarmy.
Onesideopensfire,theothersiderespondsthatswhatexchangingfiremeans.Doyouthinkthisisagood
enoughreasontodelaypoliticalreforms?Onthecontrary,politicalreformsthatwillconstitutethefoundation
ofafinalsettlementonsecurityareapressingpriority.
Somethingshavetobedoneinparallel.IagreewithMrPoroshenkothattheOSCEmissionhastobe
reinforcedtothepointofauthorizingOSCEobserverstocarryfirearms.Otherthingscanbedonetoimprove
security.Butwecannotaffordtocontinueputtingoffkeypoliticaldecisionbycitingthelackofsecurity
inthearea.Thatsit.(Applause.)
FareedZakaria:Therearesomanyareastocoverwithyou,MrPresident,soletmegototheMiddle
East,whereRussiahashadaforcefulinterventiontobolstertheAssadregime.PresidentAssadnowsays
thathisgoalistotakebackeverysquareinchofhisterritory.DoyoubelievethatthesolutioninSyriais
thattheAssadregimeshouldtakebackandgoverneverysquareinchofSyria?
VladimirPutin:IthinkthattheproblemsofSyria,ofcourse,concernprimarilytheanti-terroriststruggle,
butthereismoretoit.ItgoeswithoutsayingthattheSyrianconflictisrootedincontradictionswithin
Syriansociety,andPresidentBasharal-Assadunderstandsthisverywell.Thetaskisnotjusttoexpand
controlovervariousterritories,althoughthisisveryimportant.Thepointistoensuretheconfidence
oftheentiresocietyandtrustbetweendifferentpartsofthissociety,andtoestablishonthisfoundation
amodernandefficientgovernmentthatwillbetrustedbythecountrysentirepopulation.Andpolitical
negotiationsaretheonlyroadtothis.Wehaveurgedthismorethanonce.Presidental-Assadalsospoke
aboutthisheacceptsthisprocess.
Whatneedstobedonetoday?ItisnecessarytojoinmoreactivelytheprocessofformingthenewConstitution
andtoconduct,onthisbasis,futureelections,bothpresidentialandparliamentary.WhenPresidental-Assad
wasinMoscow,wespokeaboutthiswithhimandhefullyagreedwiththis.Moreover,itisextremelyimportant
toconducttheelectionsunderstrictinternationalcontrol,withtheparticipationoftheUnitedNations.
YesterdaywediscussedthisissueindetailwithMrdeMisturaandtheUNSecretary-General.Theyallagree
withthis,butweneedaction.Wehopeverymuchthatourpartners,primarilyfromtheUnitedStates,willwork
withtheiralliesthatsupporttheoppositiontoencourageconstructivecooperationwiththeSyrianauthorities.
Whatdowemeanbythis?Ingeneral,whenIaskmycolleagues:Whyareyoudoingthis?theyreply:
Toasserttheprinciplesofdemocracy.Presidental-Assadsregimeisnotdemocraticandthetriumph
ofdemocracymustbeensured.Fine.Isdemocracyeverywherethere?No,notyetbutdemocracyshould
existinSyria.Ok.Andhowdoyoumakesocietydemocratic?Isitonlypossibletoachievethisbyforce
ofarmsorsimplybyforce?No,thismaybedoneonlywiththehelpofdemocraticinstitutions
andprocedures.Andwhataretheyallabout?Thereisnomoredemocraticwayofformingagovernmentthan
electionsonthebasisoffundamentallaw:aConstitutionthatisformulatedinaclearway,thatistransparent
andacceptedbytheoverwhelmingmajorityofsociety.PasstheConstitutionandholdelectionsonitsbasis.
Whatsbadaboutthis,especiallyiftheyareheldunderinternationalcontrol?
Occasionallywehearthatsomecountriesoftheregiondonotfullyunderstandwhatdemocracyis.Dowe
wanttoreplaceoneundemocraticregimewithanotherundemocraticone?Andifwestillwanttopromote
theprincipleofdemocracyletsdothisbydemocraticmeans.Butconsideringthisisacomplicatedprocess
andresultswillnotcometomorroworthedayaftertomorrowbutwillrequiretime,whilewestillneedtodo
somethingtoday,Iagreewiththeproposalsofourpartners,primarilyourAmericanpartnersthatsuggest
(Idontknow,maybeImsayingtoomuchalthough,ontheotherhand,thisUSproposalisknownintheregion,
andthenegotiatorsofbothsidesthegovernmentandtheoppositionarefamiliarwithitandIconsiderit
absolutelyacceptable),theysuggestedconsideringthepossibilityofbringingrepresentativesoftheopposition
intoexistingpowerstructures,forinstance,theGovernment.Itisnecessarytothinkaboutwhatpowersthis
Governmentwillhave.
However,itisimportantnottogotoofar.Itisnecessarytoproceedfromthecurrentrealitiesandtorefrainfrom
declaringunfeasible,unrealisticgoals.ManyofourpartnersaresayingthatAssadshouldgo.Todaytheyare
sayingno,letsrestructuregoverninginstitutionsinsuchandsuchaway,butinpracticaltermsitwillalso
meanhisdeparture.Butthisisalsounrealistic.Therefore,itisnecessarytoactcarefully,stepbystep,
graduallywinningtheconfidenceofallsidestotheconflict.
Ifthishappens,andIthinkthiswillhappeninanyeventandthesoonerthebetter,itwillbepossibletogo
furtherandspeakbothaboutsubsequentelectionsandafinalsettlement.Themainpointistoprevent
thecountryscollapse.Andifthingscontinuetogoastheyaretoday,collapsewillbecomeinevitable.Andthis
istheworst-casescenariobecausewecannotassumethatafterthecountryscollapsesomequasi-state
formationswillco-existinpeaceandharmony.No,thiswillbeadestabilisingfactorfortheregionandtherest
oftheworld.
FareedZakaria:Letmeaskyou,MrPresident,aboutanotherdemocracythatishavingaverydifferent
kindofdrama.YoumadesomecommentsabouttheAmericanRepublicanpresumptivenominee,Donald
Trump.Youcalledhimbrilliant,outstanding,talented.Thesecommentswerereportedaroundtheworld.
Iwaswondering,whatinhimledyoutothatjudgement,anddoyoustillholdthatjudgement?
VladimirPutin:Youarewellknowninourcountry,youpersonally.NotonlyasahostofamajorTV
corporation,butalsoasanintellectual.Whyareyoudistortingeverything?Thejournalistinyouisgetting
thebetteroftheanalyst.Look,whatdidIsay?IsaidinpassingthatTrumpisavividpersonality.Ishenot?
Heis.Ididnotascribeanyothercharacteristicstohim.However,whatIdefinitelynoteandwhat
IdefinitelywelcomeandIseenothingwrongaboutthis,justtheoppositeisthatMrTrumpsaidthathe
isreadyforthefull-scalerestorationofRussian-USrelations.Whatiswrongwiththat?Weallwelcome
this!Dontyou?
Weneverinterfereintheinternalpoliticsofothercountries,especiallytheUnitedStates.However,wewillwork
withanypresidentthattheUSpeoplevotefor.AlthoughIdonotthink,bytheway,thatWell,theylecture
everyoneonhowtoliveandondemocracy.Now,doyoureallythinkpresidentialelectionsthereare
democratic?Look,twiceinUShistoryapresidentwaselectedbyamajorityofelectors,butstandingbehind
thoseelectorswasasmallernumberofvoters.Isthatdemocracy?Andwhen(sometimeswehavedebates
withourcolleaguesweneveraccuseanyoneofanything,wesimplyhavedebates)wearetold:Donot
meddleinouraffairs.Mindyourownbusiness.Thisishowwedothings,wefeellikesaying:Wellthen,do
notmeddleinouraffairs.Whydoyou?Putyourownhouseinorderfirst.
But,toreiterate,indeed,thisisnoneofourbusinessalthough,inmyopinion,evenprosecutorstherechase
internationalobserversawayfrompollingstationsduringelectioncampaigns.USprosecutorsthreatentojail
them.However,thesearetheirownproblemsthisishowtheydothingsandtheylikeit.Americaisagreat
power,todayperhapstheonlysuperpower.Weacceptthis.WewanttoworkwiththeUnitedStatesandwe
arepreparedto.Nomatterhowtheseelectionsgo,eventuallytheywilltakeplace.Therewillbea[new]head
ofstatewithextensivepowers.Therearecomplicatedinternalpoliticalandeconomicprocessesatwork
intheUnitedStates.TheworldneedsapowerfulcountryliketheUnitedStates,andwealsoneedit.Butwe
donotneedittocontinuouslyinterfereinouraffairs,tellingushowtolive,andpreventingEuropefrombuilding
arelationshipwithus.
HowarethesanctionsthatyouhavementionedaffectingtheUnitedStates?Innowaywhatsoever.Itcouldnot
carelessaboutthesesanctionsbecausetheconsequencesofouractionsinresponsehavenoimpactonit.
TheyimpactEuropebutnottheUnitedStates.Zeroeffect.However,theAmericansaretellingtheirpartners:
Bepatient.Whyshouldthey?Idonotunderstand.Iftheywantto,letthem.
Wedonotlavishpraiseonanybody.Itsnoneofourbusiness.AsGermanssay,thisisnotourbeer.
Becausewhentheymaketheirchoice,wewillworkwithanypresidentwhohasreceivedthesupport
oftheAmericanpeople,inthehopethatitwillbeapersonwhoseekstodeveloprelationswithourcountry
andhelpbuildamoresecureworld.
FareedZakaria:Justtobeclear,MrPresident,thewordbrilliantwasintheInterfaxtranslation,Irealize
thatothertranslationsmightsaybright,butIusedtheofficialInterfaxtranslation.Butletmeaskyou
aboutanotherpersonyouhavedealtwithagreatdeal.MrTrump,you'venevermet.HillaryClintonwas
SecretaryofState.InyourverylongquestionsandanswerswiththeRussianpeople,youmadeajoke
whensomebodyaskedyouaboutheryousaid,IthinkthattheRussiaidiomis,thehusbandandwifeis
thesamedevil.AndwhatitmeansintheEnglishversionis,it'stwosidesofthesamecoin.Whatdidyou
meanbythat,andhowdidshedoasSecretaryofState?Youdealtwithherextensively.
VladimirPutin:Ididnotworkwithher,Lavrovdid.Askhim.Heissittinghere.
Iwasnotaforeignminister,butSergeiLavrovwas.Hewillsoontie[SovietForeignMinisterAndrei]Gromyko.
(AddressingSergeiLavrov.)Howlonghaveyoubeeninoffice?
IworkedwithBillClinton,althoughforaveryshorttime,andwehadaverygoodrelationship.Icanevensay
thatIamgratefultohimforcertainmomentsasIwasenteringthebigstageinpolitics.Onseveraloccasions,
heshowedsignsofattention,respectformepersonally,aswellasforRussia.IrememberthisandIam
gratefultohim.
AboutMsClinton.PerhapsshehasherownviewonthedevelopmentofRussian-USrelations.Youknow,there
issomethingIwouldliketodraw[your]attentionto,whichhasnothingtodowithRussian-USrelationsorwith
nationalpolitics.Itisrelated,rather,topersonnelpolicy.
Inmyexperience,Ihaveoftenseenwhathappenswithpeoplebeforetheytakeonacertainjobandafterward.
Often,youcannotrecognisethem,becauseoncetheyreachanewlevelofresponsibilitytheybegintotalk
andthinkdifferently,theyevenlookdifferent.Weactontheassumptionthatthesenseofresponsibility
oftheUSheadofstate,theheadofthecountryonwhichagreatdealintheworlddependstoday,thatthis
senseofresponsibilitywillencouragethenewlyelectedpresidenttocooperatewithRussiaand,Iwouldlike
torepeat,buildamoresecureworld.
FareedZakaria:PresidentPutin,letmefinallyaskyouonequestionaboutnewsreportsaboutRussian
athletes.TherearenowtwomajorinvestigationsthathaveshownthatRussianathleteshaveengaged
indopingonamassivescale,andthattherehasbeenasystematicevasionanddoctoringoftestingandlab
samples.AndIwasjustwonderingwhatyoureactiontothesereportsis.
VladimirPutin:Ididnotunderstandwhatkindofprogrammeitistotamperwiththesamplesthatwere
collectedfortests?Ifsamplesarecollectedtheyareimmediatelytransferredtointernationalorganisations
forstorageandwehavenothingtodowiththem.Samplesarecollectedandtakensomewhere,
toLausanneorwherever,Idonotknowwhere,buttheyarenotonRussianterritory.Theycanbe
opened,re-checked,andthisiswhatspecialistsaredoingnow.
DopingisnotonlyaRussianproblem.Itisaproblemoftheentiresportsworld.Ifsomebodytriestopoliticise
somethinginthissphere,Ithinkthisisabigmistake,becausejustlikeculture,forexample,sportcannotbe
politicised.Thesearethebridgesthatbringpeople,nationsandstatesclosertogether.Thisistheway
toapproachit,nottrytoforgesomeanti-Russianoranti-whateverpolicyonthisbasis.
AsfortheRussianauthorities,Icanassureyou,wearecategoricallyagainstalldopingforseveralreasons.
First,asaformeramateurathlete,Icantellyou,andIthinkthattheoverwhelmingmajorityofpeoplewillagree
withthis:ifweknowthereisdoping,itsnotinterestingtowatchtheeventmillionsoffansloseinterest
inthesport.
Second,nolessimportant,andmaybeevenmostimportant,thereisthehealthoftheathletesthemselves.
Youcantjustifyanythingthatdamageshealth.Thisiswhywehavecombatedandwillcontinuetocombat
dopinginsportonthenationallevel.
Furthermore,asfarasIknow,theProsecutorGeneralsOfficeandtheInvestigativeCommitteehavebeen
closelylookingintoallfactsreportedinthemedia,amongothers.Simply,thismustnotbeturnedinto
acampaign,especiallyacampaigndisparagingsport,includingRussiansport.
Next,thethirdpointIwouldliketomake.Thereisalegalconceptthatsaysresponsibilitycanonlybe
individual.Collectiveresponsibilitycannotbeimposedonallathletesorathletesofacertainsportsfederationif
certainindividualshavebeencaughtdoping.Anentireteamcannotbeheldresponsibleforthosewhohave
committedthisviolation.Ibelievethatthisisanabsolutelynatural,correctapproach.
However,dopingisnottheonlyproblemtoday.Thereareplentyofproblemsinsport.Euro2016isunderway.
Ibelievethatlessattentionisbeingpaidtofootballthantobrawlingbetweenfans.ThisisverysadandIregret
this,butheretooweshouldalwaysproceedfromsomegeneralcriteria.Toreiterate,responsibility
formisconductshouldbeindividualisedasmuchaspossibleandtheapproachtowardperpetratorsshouldbe
thesame.
Euro2016beganwithahigh-profilecase:afightbetweenRussianandBritishfans.Thisisabsolutely
outrageous.Granted,Idonotknowhow200RussianfanswereabletopummelseveralthousandBritons.Ido
notunderstand.Butinanycase,lawenforcementagenciesshouldtakethesameapproachtowardall
perpetrators.
Thisisthewaywehaveorganisedthisworkandwillcontinuetocombatdopingandenforcedisciplineamong
fans.Wewillworkwiththesefanassociations.Iverymuchhopethatthereareplentyofintelligent,sensible
peopleamongthefans,whoreallylovesportandwhounderstandthatviolationsdonothingtosupporttheir
teambut,onthecontrary,causedamagetotheteamandtosport.However,agreatdealhasyettobedone
here,includinginconjunctionwithour[foreign]colleagues.
Iwouldliketostressthattherehasbeenabsolutelynosupportandcanbeabsolutelynosupportforviolations
insport,letalonedopingviolations,atthestatelevel.Wehaveworkedandwillcontinuetoworkwithall
internationalorganisationsinthissphere.
<>
ThisisthefirstSt.PetersburgforumnotshunnedbyWesternpoliticalelitesinacoupleofyearsRussiawantstoshowWestern
businessthattherearepossibilitiesforreformThesanctionshavenotbeenremoved,theMinskagreementsnotfulfilled,butthere
hasbeenacertainloweringoftensionsTheKremliniscautiouslyrehabilitatingthesystemicliberalsKudrinhasinformalstatus
asthemainreformer,withassistancefromGrefVlast,notveryconvincingly,ismakingnoisesaboutimprovingconditionsfor
privatebusinessGestureshavebeenmadetoeasetensionswiththeWestSavchenko,forexample,wasreleasedtheresa
certainwearinesswithconfrontationTherehasbeensomemovementawayfromtheconservativetrenddomestically
Pavlenskiyhasbeenreleased(http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-pavlensky-artist-fined-cultural-site-fsb/27786266.html)...The
messagetoWesterninvestorsisclearRussiadoesnotwanttobeNorthKoreaorevenBelarusRussianeedsdirectinvestment
andbudgetproblemsarepushingvlasttowardmakingapoliticaldecisiononstructuralreforms
ThewearinessofbothRussiaandtheWestwithsanctionsinthemid-termcouldatleastleadtotheirweakening.Thedeclineofthe
economyhassloweddownandsomeoptimistsexpectgrowthbytheendoftheyearTheUkrainecrisiscouldberoutinized,
pushedtothebackburnerinfavorofcooperatingoncombattingterrorismPutinwantstolowertensionswiththeAmericans
Yetthearbitrarybehaviorofcourts,taxterrorism,corruption,andnightmaringbusinesseshaveonlybecomeworseAverage
investorswithoutspecialconnectionsarewaitingforasignofvlastsintensionsandofamoretransparenteconomicpolicyIts
doubtfulthatwillhappenandforeignbusinesssurelyunderstandsthatForeigninvestorswanttoknowaboutconcrete
economicdevelopmentplans,taxpolicy,aboutwhetherGlazyevistakenseriouslyandwhetherKudrinisaroundjustforwindow
dressing.Arethesilovikytakingpartindiscussionsoneconomicpolicytemporarilyoristheyheretostay?
Putinwantstheeconomytoimprove,butwithoutchanginganythinginstitutionallyThewaytohaveinfluenceinRussiais
througharelationshipwithoneofPutinsfriends,whooftenhavemoreinfluencethanministers.Soinvestorswanttoknowwhata
particularpersonsaccesstoPutinreallyis,whatkindofinfluenceapersonmighthaveonaministerAndinvestorsseeasociety
thatisdistrustful,evenhatefultowardtheWest,onewhereoppositionpoliticalfiguresareindanger,whereonehastobewaryof
provocationsbycompetitorsAndtheYukoscase,theMagnitskiyaffair,andthecaseagainsttheownersandmanagersof
Domodedovoairportarestillverymuchonthemindsofforeigninvestors
InRussia,ifyoumoveoneway,youloseyourbusiness,anotherandyouloseyourlife.Ifyoumovejustright,youcanbecomea
billionaire
http://vk.com/id244477574?w=wall244477574_18809/all
RussiasconciliatorygesturestoAmericaarebeingmadefortworeasons:One,becauseitistheAmericansblockingEuropean
revisionismregardingRussiaandtwo,becauseMoscowisworriedaboutreputationalscandalstheremaybemoretocome,
provokingaspiltintheRussianelite
HTTP://WWW.YAHOO.COM/NEWS/GERMANY-SLAMS-NATO-WARMONGERING-RUSSIA-115515814.HTML?REF=GS
GermanForeignMinisterFrank-WalterSteinmeierhascriticisedNATOforhavingabellicosepolicytowardsRussia,describingitas
"warmongering",theGermandailyBildreported.
SteinmeierpointedtothedeploymentofNATOtroopsnearborderswithRussiainthemilitaryalliance'sBalticandeastEuropean
memberstates.
"Whatweshouldavoidtodayisinflamingthesituationbywarmongeringandstompingboots,"SteinmeiertoldBildinaninterviewto
bepublishedSunday.
"Anyonewhothinksyoucanincreasesecurityinthealliancewithsymbolicparadesoftanksneartheeasternborders,ismistaken,"
Germany'stopdiplomatadded.
NATOhadannouncedonMondaythatitwoulddeployfourbattalionstoEstonia,Latvia,LithuaniaandPolandtocounteramore
assertiveRussia,aheadofalandmarksummitinWarsawnextmonth.
AllfourcountrieswereonceruledfromMoscowandremaindeeplysuspiciousofRussianintentions,especiallyafterRussia's
annexationofCrimeafromUkrainein2014.
InaninterviewwithBildonThursday,NATOchiefJensStoltenbergsaidRussiaisseekingtocreate"azoneofinfluencethrough
militarymeans".
"WeareobservingmassivemilitarisationatNATOborders--intheArctic,intheBaltic,fromtheBlackSeatotheMediterranean
Sea,"hetoldthenewspaper.
StoltenberghasstressedthatNATOdoesnotseekconfrontationwithRussiaandwantsaconstructivedialoguebutthatitwould
defendthe28alliesagainstanythreat
RussiabitterlyopposesNATO'sexpansionintoitsSoviet-erasatellitesandlastmonthsaiditwouldcreatethreenewdivisionsinits
southwestregiontomeetwhatitdescribedasadangerousmilitarybuild-upalongitsborders.
From: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Senttime: 06/11/201601:24:45AM
To: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Subject: ViktorIvanov
AllthisstuffabouttheguysresigningandtheirtiestoViktormightbetrue..butthenagainmightnot.
IvefollowedVoronin,forexample,foryearsandtheVIconnectioncomesupONLYafterheresignsand
BigVikhaslostandrefusedanotherpost.
WhydidntitcomeupwithRussoChekistoorMagnitskiyortheNDSscams?
Alloftheseleaksabouttherelationshipmayjustbemisdirectionandthereareotherreasonsforwhatsgoing
on.
From: Firestone,Thomas<thomas.firestone@bakermckenzie.com>
Senttime: 06/23/201609:01:19AM
To: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: RE:Magnitskiy
Interesting.Itispossiblethathewasemployedbythefirmonlyinanaudit/investigativecapacityanddidnotgivelegaladvice,ashe
didnothavealegaleducation.WhynotjustaskBrowderorJamison?
Sent:Thursday,June23,20168:28AM
To:Firestone,Thomas
Subject:Re:Magnitskiy
Let'stryitthisway(sinceIamatworkwritingfromthesite):
http://russian-untouchables.com/eng/testimonies/
PagedowntotheJune82008document.Theauditoroccupationisspecifiedonthe1stpageafterthenumeral8.
OnThu,Jun23,2016at7:18AM,Firestone,Thomas<thomas.firestone@bakermckenzie.com>wrote:
Thedocumentwontopen.Canyouresend?
Sent:Thursday,June23,20164:40AM
To:Firestone,Thomas
Seethetopofthedocumentforauditor.
OnWed,Jun22,2016at6:07PM,Firestone,Thomas<thomas.firestone@bakermckenzie.com>wrote:
Yuristisjustalawyer,i.e.,anyonewhohasalawdegree,whichisanundergraddegreeinRussia.Tobeanadvokat,youhaveto
passaspecialexamandbeadmittedtoanadvokatskayapalata.Onlyadvokatscanrepresentdefendantsincriminalcasesand
onlyadvokatshaveattorney-clientprivilege.Otherthanthat,thereisnotmuchdifference.Butayuristisdefinitelyalawyerand
shouldbedescribedassuch,notasanauditor.
-----OriginalMessage-----
Sent:Wednesday,June22,20163:41PM
To:Firestone,Thomas
What'sthedifferencebetweenthe2?yuristandadvokat?
>OnJun22,2016,at3:40PM,Firestone,Thomas<thomas.firestone@bakermckenzie.com>wrote:
>
>Doyouhavemoreinformationabouthisbio?AsIunderstandit,hewasalawyer()butnotan.Ihavenoidea
wheretheauditorbitcomesfrom.
>
>SentfrommyiPhone
>
>>OnJun22,2016,at3:37PM,RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>HiTom:
>>
>>Aquestionabouthisprofessionandthecourtsystem.
>>
>>Browderalwayscallshimalawyerand,whenpressed,notesthatMagnitskiyrepresentedHermitageincourt(andhasthe
documents)
>>
>>ThePublicoversightcommissionreferredtohimasanauditor(appendix1oftheHRCreport)andKabanaov'sNALclaimed
hewasalawyer-Auditor.
>>
>>What'sdealonthis?CanAuditorsgotocourt?Whatkindsetc.
>>
>>Ifyoudon'tknowcanyoupointmetosomethingtoread?
>>
>>b
>>
>>canyoudolunch?
>>
>>
>
>
>Thismessagemaycontainconfidentialandprivilegedinformation.Ifithasbeensenttoyouinerror,pleasereplytoadvisethe
senderoftheerrorandthenimmediatelydeletethismessage.Pleasevisitwww.bakermckenzie.com/disclaimersforother
importantinformationconcerningthismessage.
>
Senttime: 07/26/201611:51:53PM
To: RobertOtto<OttoRC@state.gov>
BCc: swallen@1scom.netchris.bort@gmail.comnaterey80@gmail.comdonald.jensen8@gmail.com
Subject: MKonBelyaninov(Korolevasaspotlessindividual)
KommersanthastheoponBelyaninovasajointUSBFSB//SKButwedonthaveaUSBFSBheadyet.
But
ThestuffonKorolovbeingpureremindedmeofthislivejournalstuffthatKanevmentionedin2011(iresentearlierthisyear).
WhatangeredFeoktistovwasKorolevbecomingheadofUSB...
,,,-
,6-.
,.2011
.
,,
.
.
http://www.mk.ru/social/2016/07/26/za-obyskami-u-belyaninova-stoit-bolshoy-peredel-v-fsb.html
17:51,:91875
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Senttime: 06/30/201604:05:03PM
To: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Cc: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Intheperiodc.2004-2010,whichIstudiedforthepaperIsentyou3weeksago,DMwasveryaggressive
andwasclearlyunderaStPetersburgkrysha,whichIthinkmeant,ultimatelyatleast,Bortnikov.Sohis
arrestinMarchmightbeawarningtoBortnikov,althoughalotofwatermayhaveflownunderthebridge
sincetheperiodIwasstudying.
Best,
Peter
Peter,thanksforthisMikhalchenkowasarrested.Itwasreportedinthenotesfor30March.Hehascomeupinthe31
March,26,27,and31Mayandon7,9,and10June.Ireferredbacktothenotesform2007thatclaimedMikhalchenkowas
involvedinTsepovsmurder.Illsearchagainandseeifanythingturnsupearlierthanthat.HeresthebitonMIkhalchenko
beingtakenintocustodyfrom30March:
Seeyesterdaysnotes
http://en.news-4-u.ru/basmanny-court-has-arrested-billionaire-mikhalchenko-in-the-case-of-smuggling-of-elite-alcohol.html
previouslyquestionedinacriminalcaseofalcoholsmuggling,betakenintocustodyfortwomonths.JudgeAndrey
Karpovdismissedtherequestthatthebusinessmanbereleasedonbailof50millionrublesaccordingtoInterfax.
Mikhalchenkocategoricallydeniedhisinvolvementinsmugglingoranyplanstohidefromtheinvestigation.The
businessmanalsotoldthejuryaboutattemptstopressurehisbusiness,inparticulartheconstructionofadeepwater
portBronka,whichhasbeenheadedbyOOOPhoenix.
TheRussianbillionaireisaccusedofsmugglingalcoholin2015,creatinganorganizedcrimegroupthatshipped
thealcoholfromtheportofHamburgundertheguiseofconstructionsealant.
Mikhalchenkowasaccusedofsmugglingofalcoholicbeveragesinanorganizedgroupinespeciallylargequantity
(part3ofarticle200.2oftheCriminalCode).HisDeputyBorisChorevski,DeputyDirectorofOOOLogistik
CentralNorthwest,AnatolyKindzerskaya,andtheDirectorofSouth-Easttradingcompany,IlyaPichko,were
alsodetained.
Accordingtosomemediareports,MikhalchenkoarrivedinMoscowonMarch28andwasdetainedthenextday.
AccordingtoFontanka.ru,thedetentiontookplaceonWednesdaymorning.Hewasdetainedbyinvestigatorsof
thecentralapparatusoftheFSBandwastakentotheInvestigativeCommittee.Hewasdetainedfortwodays...
Mikhalchenkosnamewaspreviouslymentionedinconnectionwithacaseofmulti-millionembezzlement
uncoveredintheMinistryofCulture.HeistheGeneralDirectorofamanagementcompany,Forum.
OnMarch15and17,theGeneralDirectorofCJSCBaltstroy(partoftheForumholding),DmitrySergeev,and
BaltstroysAlexanderKochenovweretakenintocustodyonorderofMoscowsLefortovocourt.Theyaresuspectsin
thecaseofamultimillionembezzlementofbudgetfundsallocatedfortherestorationofanumberofcultural
heritagesites.
ThemainsuspectinthiscaseistheDeputyMinisterofCulture,GregoryPirumov.On24Marchhewascharged
withchargedwithfraud.

H
iWayneandBob,
ThisisjustaquicknoteaboutTsepov,Sechin,andMikhalchenko,whomyou've
discussedintworecentissues,Wayne,quotingareaderwhoIsuspectisyou,
Bob.
Betweenc.2004and2011Ididalotofresearchontheseandrelatedfolks,
puttingtheresultsintoa70pppaper,whichissupposedtobepublishedsoonin
ane-journal("Putin&theSilovikWars").
WhatstruckmeaboutMikhalchenkowerehisextraordinaryyouth(about30in
2005?),hisgreatpersonalambitionforwealthandpower,andhisskillat
cultivatingtheLeningradKGB.Idon'trecallanytiestoMoscoworthelikesof
SechinorZolotov-hewastooyoung.
Also,overthe5-6yearsafterTsepovwasassassinated,Idon'trecallanyone
raisingthepossibilitythatMikhalchenkowasinanywayinvolved.Certainlyhe
jumpedinaggressivelyandtookoverlargechunksofTsepov'sempire,sohe
couldtheoreticallyhavehadamotiveinthisregard.Butthiswasalsothe
opportunisticwayyou'dsimplyexpectsomeoneofhischaractertoact.
Toconclude,onequestion-didyoumeanitwhenyouwrote2-3timesthathe
hadrecentlybeenarrested,andifso,forwhatandwhen?.Andonesmallfactual
point:thebusinessco-runbyTsepovandZolotovwasBaltik-Eskort(not-
Eksport).

Withthanksonceagaintobothofyoufortheprodigiousamountofoutstanding
workthatyouproducedayinanddayout,
Yours,
Peter
RussiasBraindrain.6
Theheads(nonamesgiven)oftheFSBsDirectoratesPandThaveresigned.Thosetwodirectorates,alongwithK,
whosehead,ViktorVoronin,hasalsoresigned,formthebackboneoftheFSBsEconomicSecurityService(SEB).
DirectoratePhandlesindustrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,includingRussianRailwaysandaviation.
TheheadofFSBSEB,YuriYakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutaswell.Rosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessor
forYakovlevatFSBSEBistheFSBsheadoftheinternalsecuritydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbe
replacedbyhisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov.TheFSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
Comment:IwonderwhetherthepeopleatDirectoratesPandTwerealsoconnectedtoViktorIvanov,asVoronin
andRomodanovskiywere.Seeyesterdaysnotes.True,bothwerealsosupposedlylinkedtoMikhalchenko,as
wasMurov,butclanlinestendtooverlapandthekeyplayersallknowoneanother.ItcouldbethatIvanovs
departure,asIsuggestedyesterday,wasthebeginningoftheunravellingofhisclannetworkwithinthespecial
servicesandinotherkeyareasaswellsuchasLarisaKalandaleavingherpostsatRosneft/Rosneftegaz.
MikhalchenkosnamecouldbedroppedasapretexttogoafterIvanovspeople.
FeoktistovhascomeupinthesenotesbeforeinthematerialontheGUEBiPKscandalmentionedinyesterdays
notes.Heresabitfromthe14May2014notesthatmentionshim:
NovayaGazetarefutesSugrobovs(hisdeputyKolesnikov,alsoarrested,hasmadethesameclaim)claimheknewnothingaboutthe
provocationsanddidnotknowtheprovocateursusedbytheGUEBiPKinallegedlysettingupandframinganumberofofficials.Novaya
hasinformationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVD
DepartmentforEconomicSecurity(nowtheGUEBiPK):http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/63516.html
InanopenlettertoPutin,postedonFacebookbyhislawyer,AntonTsetkov,SugrobovblameshistroublesonrivalsintheFSBandSKhe
blamestheSKforfoulingupanumberofcorruptioncases(animpliesthattheywereprotectingcorruptofficialsandunderminingPutinsanti-
corruptioncampaign).SugrobovalsodeniesthatheismarriedtoPresidentialAideKonstantinChuiychenkoswifessisterorthathehas
benefitedfromChuiychenkospatronage(asanumberofoursourceshavereported).HefurtherclaimsthatFSBGeneralFeoktistov
approachedhimin2011,urginghimtoestablishrelationswithonetime1stDeputyHeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev
(FeoktistovclaimedthatKhorev,implicatedinthetax-rebateschemesthatinvolvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiy
affair[See,forinstance,the20March2012notes],wassettobecomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,the
GUEBiPK,andwouldagreetonameSugrobovhisdeputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:Wehadreadthatpartofthe
struggleinvolvingtheGUEBiPKwasbetweensupportersofKhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanev
wroteonthetiesbetweenFeoktistovandKhorevbackin2011:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).Sugrobovendsbysaying
heiswillingtotakeapolygraphtestandcallsonPutintomakesuretheinvestigationsofthechargesagainsthimandhissubordinatesare
objective:http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=700657453313675&set=pcb.700658349980252&type=1&theater]
Comment:Foranyofthattomakesense,readerswillhavetoreferbacktosummationoftheGUEBiPKscandal
(uptothatpoint)Iincludedinthe31Marchnotes.TheGUEBiPKsSugrobovwasconnectedbyoursourcesto
Mevdedevslawyer/classmatesfaction,amongthemKonstantinChuiychenko,mentionedabove.Recallthisbit
fromyesterdaysnotes:
claimsthatchargesagainstVoroninhavetodowithKsinvolvementinthecaseagainsttheMVDseconomicsecurity/anti-corruption
unit,theGUEBiPK,acaseinwhichtheformerheadofthatunit,DenisSugrobov,wasarrestedandstillawaitstrialoncorruptioncharges
stemmingfromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.Sugrobovsdeputy,Boris
Kolesnikovwasalsoarrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhileincustody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaserious
blowtoMedvedevsentourageandsomesaythatVoroninsdeparturefromtheFSBSEBwasrevengebysomeofMedvedevspeopleforthe
GUEBiPKcase.
Comment:RussiasoverlappingmoneylaunderingchannelsarevastandinvolvelotsofgamesapartfromtheMagnitskiyaffair,recallthe
lengthyGUEBiPKscandal,whichpointedtoaclashbetweentheMVDeconomicsecuritydepartment(probablyalliedwithelementsinthe
Prosecutorsoffice)andtheFSBanditsalliesintheInvestigativeCommittee.Thebattlewassaidtobeovercontrollingmoneylaundering
channels.Seethe31MarchnotesforarehashoftheGUEBiPKaffair.]
Comment:IrecentlycoveredPutinsconnectionstoorganizedcrimeinSt.Petersburg,connectionsthatincludedTsepov,inthe30March
notes.Brieflyput,Tsepovwasaracketeerandonetimeall-aroundfixerandbodyguardforMayorSobchakinSt.Petersburg.Tsepovwasthe
co-founder,alongwithPutinbodyguardViktorZolotov,ofaSt.Petersburgsecurityfirm,BalticEksport.Tsepovapparentlytriedtoinsinuate
himselfintotheYukosaffairasamediatorIsuspectedatthetimethatthiswasthereasonhewasassassinated.ZolotovattendedTsepovs
funeral.ThekillingofTsepovshookuptheelite,creatingquiteascandal.IhadSechinandDeripaska,whowasalsointerestedinYukos,as
likelysuspectsinthemurderTsepovreportedlytriedtopasshimselfoffasDeripaskasrepresentative.Therehavebeenclaimsthat
Tsepov,likeLitvinenko,waspoisonedwithpolonium.
Thisitem(http://putinism.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/roma_tsepov/#more-146),anupdatetoanearlierarticleonPutinandTsepov,claimsthat
FSBagentDmitriyMikhachenkokilledTsepovwithpolonium-poisonedteaattheSt.PetersburgFSBoffice.Mikhalchenkosubsequently
tookoverTsepovsbusinesses.ZolotovhadbeenTsepovspatron,butMikhalchenkohadtheFSBsBortnikovasakrysha.Thus,Zolotov
andBortnikovhavelongbeenenemiesNemtsovwaskilledbyKadyrovandZolotov,theinvestigationconductedunderBortnikov.
Ane-mailfromthereaderwhosentthis:ThearticleisabitstrangesincetherecentinfoisthatMikhalchenkoisallmobbedupwiththeFSO/Murovand
thetargetoftheFSB.
Thatsaid,ifMikhalchenkowasinvolved,wehaveareasontothinktheresenmitybetweenMikhalchenkoandZolotov(andmaybeMurov,toosincehe
seemstobetheMikhalchenkokryshanow)..andZolotovandBortnikov?
In2004,whenTsepovwasmurdered,BortnikovwasoutofStP,btw.UptoFebruary2004heheadedtheFSBinStP,buthethenwenttoheadtheFSBs
SEB(whenhemetVoronin?),takingtheonetimeallegedlysuperinfluentialZaostrovtsevs(trikita)place.
Inshort,justhowmuchifnotallofthisstuffaprovocationisnotclear,butthatdoesntmakeitlessinterestinginlightofalltheotherstuffgoing
on]
Comment:IincludedquiteabitofmaterialonMikhalchenkospossibleinvolvementintheTsepovmurderinnotes
fromyearspast.Inthe5September2007notes,forinstance,IincludedmaterialonChaykascampaignagainst
TambovgangsterVladimirKumarinandoneitemhadKumarinaspossiblybeinginvolvedintheTsepov
assassination,withheandSechinusingMikhalchenkoaspartoftheplantogetridofTsepov.Tsepovwas
connectedwithalltheSt.Petersburgsiloviky,buthisstrongerconnectionswerewiththeMVDandFSO,
MikhalchenkossupposedlywiththeFSB,asintheitemabove.
MikhalchenkotookoverTsepovsnicheinSt.PetersburgafterTsepovsdeath.Inthosenotes,IhadSechin,
KumarinandtheiralliesintheFSBkillingTsepovbecausehetriedtoinsinuatehimselfintotheYukosaffairand
representedaroadblocktoKumarinsfriendMikhalchenkosambitiontotakeoverTsepovssecurity
business/fixerroleinSt.Petersburg.IhadalsosuspectedDeripaska,whomayhavebeenirritatedbyTsepovs
reportedoversteppinginpresentinghimselfasaDeripaska(withoutDsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateof
Yukosbutheresanimportantpoint:DeripaskawassupposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.
AndZolotovwasaclosefriendofTsepovs.SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspect
forusinghisFSBconnectionsandMikhalchenkotokillTsepov.
Theproblemwehaveisthatmorerecentlyandthisisanumberofyearslater,tobesureoursourceshad
MurovasMikhalchenkospatronandkrysha.Thingscanchange,ofcoursemaybeMikhalchenkosFSB
connectionsweretopeopleclosertoPatrushevthanthemanwhowouldsucceedhimatFSB,Bortnikov,andare-
alignmenttookplaceafteranumberofchangesinthepowerblockandafterMikhalchenkohadestablished
himselfasTsepovssuccessor.Whatsmore,wealsohavesomesourcessayingthatZolotovdriftedapartfromhis
oldboss,Murov,andwaspleasedtoreplacehimwithhisownman,Kochnev,asheadoftheFSO.See,for
instance,thenotesfrom27May.
Ivebeenwritingthesenotessince2002.Thenotesfromsummer2004topresentareavailableattheOSCsite
forthosewithaccesswhomightbeinterestedintracingthestorybacktoSt.Petersburginthe2000s.
RelationsbetweentheFSBInternalSecurityDirectorate(USB)andtheFSBSEBhavebeenstrainedlatelyandthestrain
hasresultedinscandalsandcriminalcases.RosbaltssourcessayitstheFSBUSBsboss,Korolev,whowilltakeoverat
FSBSEB.Hisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov,willtakeoveratUSB,andIvanTkachevofFSBUSBwilltakeoverDirectorateK.
WhenthenheadofFSBUSB,AleksandrKupryazhkin,waspromotedtoFSBdeputydirectorin2011,Feoktistovwas
supposedtobehisreplacement,butSergeyKorolev,acomradeofAnatoliySerdyukovs,gotthenodJustacoupleofyears
ago,theUSBandSEBwerefriendlyandcooperatedinthecaseagainsttheMVDGUEBiPK,butthentheUSBturnedits
attentiontotheSEB.InFebruaryoflastyear,USBofficersarrestedDirectoratePsIgorKorobitsinfordemandinga$1
millionbribefromtheheadofRosalkogolregulirovanie,IgorChuyan.Atthebeginningofthisyear,theUSBimplicated
DirectorateKsVadimUvarovinanextortioncaseinvolvingcontrabandcellphones.Theshadowfinancialsectorhas
reportedlyalreadyreactedtothepersonalshiftsatFSBbyraisingitsrateforlegalizinglargeamountsofillicitcash
(obnalichivanieorobnal)to15%...

Onepropagandafailureafteranother,withthestarringrolegoingtothefailedsuccessor,Medvedevandhistheresno
moneycomment.AnditsnothappeningwithoutaPeskov-Volodin-Ernstconspiracy.Theresacampaignagainst
Medvedev,onethemajorityoftheKremlintowerssupport.
TheyarecertainlynotinspiringoptimisminanyoneCrimeaisnolongerhelpingthethievingregime.Andwithintheregime,
conspiraciesabound,asthesystemisinastupor
Comment:RecallthatMedvedevwasinCrimeaandaretiredwomancomplainedaboutlowpensionsMedvedev
toldherpensionswouldbeindexedwhenpossible,butsaidtheresnomoney.Hetoldhertohanginthere.See
the25Maynotes.HisremarksweremockedaroundtheRunet.PutinsaidthatmaybeMedvedevscommentshad
beentakenoutofcontext:http://www.newsru.com/russia/28may2016/hold_on.htmlAndthatthegovernmentwaspaying
moreattentiontofulfillingsocialobligationsanyway,alotofcountrieswerehavingproblemswithpensions
RussiasBraindrain
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-facing-biggest-brain-drain-in-two-decades/571758.html
Some350,000peopleleftRussiain2015,tentimesmorethanfiveyearsago.Manyarehighlytrainedandlookingforbetter
businessopportunitiesabroad,thenewspapersaid.
Forty-twopercentofseniormanagerswanttoemigratefromRussia,apollbyheadhuntingcompanyAgentstvoKontaktrevealed
Tuesday.
Thosewishingtomovesaidthattheyweremotivatedbymorefavorableconditionsfordevelopingprivatebusinesses,better
prospectsoffindinginvestors,andahigherqualityoflife.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russian-state-duma-strips-opposition-deputy-ponomarev-of-his-
powers/571816.html
TheRussianStateDumavotedtostripoppositiondeputyIlyaPonomarevofhispowersfornotfulfillinghisduties,theVedomosti
newspaperreportedFriday.
Thevoteconcludedwith413deputiesforandthreeagainst,allthreecomingfromtheAJustRussiaoppositionparty:Dmitry
Gudkov,SergeiPetrov,andPonomarevhimself,votinginabsentiafromtheUnitedStates.
Duringtheproceedings,theleaderoftheLiberalDemocraticPartyofRussia,VladimirZhirinovsky,allegedthatPonomarevis
leadinganti-Russianpropagandaandactingagainsttheinterestsofthecountry.
TheAJustRussiapartypresentedtheinitiative,andconcludedthatPonomarevhasnotcometotheDumaintwoyears,hasnot
beenworkingwithconstituents,andhasnotbeencommunicatingwiththeparty.Ponomarevrefutestheseclaims,Vedomosti
reported.
PonomarevwastheonlydeputyintheDumawhovotedagainsttheRussianannexationofCrimeain2014.Whenhetraveledto
Californiasoonafter,hisbankaccountswerefrozenandhewasallegedlyprohibitedfromtravelingabroad.Hehasnotreturnedto
Russiasincethen,accordingtoTheNewYorkTimes.
In2015theDumastrippedhimofparliamentaryimmunity,chargedandarrestedhiminabsentiafortheembezzlementof$750,000
fromthestate-fundedscientificandtechnologicalSkolkovoFoundation.PonomarevhadworkedwithSkolkovoasalecturer,andin
2011-12hemanagedpartofthefoundationsprojectswhileworkingcloselywiththen-PresidentDmitryMedvedev.
MembersoftheRussianStateDumaonFridayapprovedthethirdreadingofalawregulatingtheworkofnewsaggregators,the
Slon.runewswebsitereported.Thelawreceivedunanimoussupport,with319deputiesvotingforthelawandnoneagainst.
Thefirstoffenseforlegalentitiesnowcarriesafineof600,000rubles($9,200),thefirstforindividualsnow100,000rubles($1,500).
LeadingRussiansearchengineYandexwascriticalofthebillwhenitwasfirstintroduced,sayingthatitsrequirementswere
excessiveandimpractical.Thelawrequiresaggregatorstosavetheinformationtheydisseminateforsixmonthsafterpublication.
UponinitialintroductioninFebruary,anexplanatorynoteaccompanyingthebillstatedtheneedforstricterregulationof
aggregators,onthebasisoftheiraudiencereachandabilitytoinfluenceopinion.
FrenchbankSocieteGeneralebeganclosingtheaccountsofRussiandiplomatsinPariswithoutexplanationonFriday,thestate-
runRIANovostinewsagencyreported.
EmployeesoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)havealsobeenaffected,RIANovosti
reported,citinganunnamedsourcewithindiplomaticcircles.
Atthistime,whiledeputiesoftheNationalAssemblyandtheFrenchSenatearevotingonliftingthesanctionsagainstRussia,the
FrenchbankSocieteGenerale,seeminglyoutoffearfromtheU.S.side,isclosingtheaccountsnotonlyofRussiancitizens,but
Russiandiplomatsaswell,theunnamedsourcesaid,RIANovostireported.
TheFrenchForeignMinistryhaspromisedtoprovideinformationontheclosingoftheaccounts.SocieteGeneralehasnotyet
respondedtoRIANovostiwithcommentsregardingtheclosures.
InJune2015,theFrenchdaughterbankofRussia-basedVneshtorgbank(VTB)frozetheaccountsofRussiancompanies.The
accountswerereopenedthefollowingmonth.
Accountsofpeopleassociatedwithstate-ownedandoperatednewsagencyRossiaSegodnyawerealsofrozeninJune2015,a
movedeclaredillegalbyaPariscourtinApril.
TheRussianCentralBanklowereditskeyinterestrateby0.5percentagepointsto10.5percentonFriday,theTASSstatenews
agencyreported.ThelasttimethebankloweredtheinterestratewasinAugust2015.
FollowingameetingoftheBoardofDirectors,thebankdecidedtolowertheratebasedonrecentperceivedpositivetrendsin
inflationpatterns.
TheBoardofDirectorsnotespositiveprocessofinflationstabilization,declineofinflationexpectationsandinflationrisksamid
signsofanapproachingphaseofgrowingrecovery,thebank'sreportsaid,TASSreported.
ThereportsaidthedecisionwasalsobasedonpositiveGDPtrendsinQ1ofthisyear,aswellasmacroeconomicindicatorsin
April,whichreflectthegrowingabilityoftheRussianeconomytowithstandfluctuationsinthepriceofoil.
Withthenextmeetingofthebank'sBoardofDirectorstotakeplaceonJuly29,thereportmentionedthefutureoftherate.
TheRussianCentralBankwillconsiderthepossibilityoffurtherreductionofthekeyrate,assessinginflationrisksandcompliance
ofdynamicsofinflationdecelerationwiththetargettrajectory,thereportsaid.
Therublecontinuedtofallfollowingtheannouncement,butstabilizedlaterinthedayafterthedollarandeurofellto64.7and73.2
rubles,respectively.
Senttime: 06/11/201603:53:42PM
To: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
H
iWayneandBob,
ThisisjustaquicknoteaboutTsepov,Sechin,andMikhalchenko,whomyou'vediscussedintworecent
issues,Wayne,quotingareaderwhoIsuspectisyou,Bob.
Betweenc.2004and2011Ididalotofresearchontheseandrelatedfolks,puttingtheresultsintoa70pp
paper,whichissupposedtobepublishedsooninane-journal("Putin&theSilovikWars").
WhatstruckmeaboutMikhalchenkowerehisextraordinaryyouth(about30in2005?),hisgreatpersonal
ambitionforwealthandpower,andhisskillatcultivatingtheLeningradKGB.Idon'trecallanytiesto
Also,overthe5-6yearsafterTsepovwasassassinated,Idon'trecallanyoneraisingthepossibilitythat
Mikhalchenkowasinanywayinvolved.Certainlyhejumpedinaggressivelyandtookoverlargechunksof
Tsepov'sempire,sohecouldtheoreticallyhavehadamotiveinthisregard.Butthiswasalsothe
Toconclude,onequestion-didyoumeanitwhenyouwrote2-3timesthathehadrecentlybeenarrested,
andifso,forwhatandwhen?.Andonesmallfactualpoint:thebusinessco-runbyTsepovandZolotovwas
Withthanksonceagaintobothofyoufortheprodigiousamountofoutstandingworkthatyouproduceday
inanddayout,
Yours,
Peter
RussiasBraindrain.6
whosehead,ViktorVoronin,hasalsoresigned,formthebackboneoftheFSBsEconomicSecurityService(SEB).Directorate
Phandlesindustrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,includingRussianRailwaysandaviation.TheheadofFSB
SEB,YuriYakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutaswell.RosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessorforYakovlevatFSB
SEBistheFSBsheadoftheinternalsecuritydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbereplacedbyhisdeputy,
OlegFeoktistov.TheFSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
andRomodanovskiywere.Seeyesterdaysnotes.True,bothwerealsosupposedlylinkedtoMikhalchenko,aswas
Murov,butclanlinestendtooverlapandthekeyplayersallknowoneanother.ItcouldbethatIvanovs
provocationsanddidnotknowtheprovocateursusedbytheGUEBiPKinallegedlysettingupandframinganumberofofficials.Novayahas
informationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVDDepartment
forEconomicSecurity(nowtheGUEBiPK):http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/63516.html
benefitedfromChuiychenkospatronage(asanumberofoursourceshavereported).HefurtherclaimsthatFSBGeneralFeoktistovapproached
himin2011,urginghimtoestablishrelationswithonetime1stDeputyHeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev(Feoktistovclaimedthat
Khorev,implicatedinthetax-rebateschemesthatinvolvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiyaffair[See,forinstance,the20
March2012notes],wassettobecomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,andwouldagreetoname
Sugrobovhisdeputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:WehadreadthatpartofthestruggleinvolvingtheGUEBiPKwasbetween
supportersofKhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanevwroteonthetiesbetweenFeoktistovandKhorev
backin2011:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).Sugrobovendsbysayingheiswillingtotakeapolygraphtestandcallson
Putintomakesuretheinvestigationsofthechargesagainsthimandhissubordinatesareobjective:http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
Comment:Foranyofthattomakesense,readerswillhavetoreferbacktosummationoftheGUEBiPKscandal(up
tothatpoint)Iincludedinthe31Marchnotes.TheGUEBiPKsSugrobovwasconnectedbyoursourcesto
claimsthatchargesagainstVoroninhavetodowithKsinvolvementinthecaseagainsttheMVDseconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,
theGUEBiPK,acaseinwhichtheformerheadofthatunit,DenisSugrobov,wasarrestedandstillawaitstrialoncorruptionchargesstemming
fromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwasalso
arrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhileincustody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevs
entourageandsomesaythatVoroninsdeparturefromtheFSBSEBwasrevengebysomeofMedvedevspeoplefortheGUEBiPKcase.
likelysuspectsinthemurderTsepovreportedlytriedtopasshimselfoffasDeripaskasrepresentative.TherehavebeenclaimsthatTsepov,
likeLitvinenko,waspoisonedwithpolonium.
FSBagentDmitriyMikhachenkokilledTsepovwithpolonium-poisonedteaattheSt.PetersburgFSBoffice.Mikhalchenkosubsequentlytook
overTsepovsbusinesses.ZolotovhadbeenTsepovspatron,butMikhalchenkohadtheFSBsBortnikovasakrysha.Thus,Zolotovand
BortnikovhavelongbeenenemiesNemtsovwaskilledbyKadyrovandZolotov,theinvestigationconductedunderBortnikov.
Ane-mailfromthereaderwhosentthis:ThearticleisabitstrangesincetherecentinfoisthatMikhalchenkoisallmobbedupwiththeFSO/Murovandthe
targetoftheFSB.
Thatsaid,ifMikhalchenkowasinvolved,wehaveareasontothinktheresenmitybetweenMikhalchenkoandZolotov(andmaybeMurov,toosinceheseems
tobetheMikhalchenkokryshanow)..andZolotovandBortnikov?
In2004,whenTsepovwasmurdered,BortnikovwasoutofStP,btw.UptoFebruary2004heheadedtheFSBinStP,buthethenwenttoheadtheFSBsSEB
(whenhemetVoronin?),takingtheonetimeallegedlysuperinfluentialZaostrovtsevs(trikita)place.
Inshort,justhowmuchifnotallofthisstuffaprovocationisnotclear,butthatdoesntmakeitlessinterestinginlightofalltheotherstuffgoingon]
assassination,withheandSechinusingMikhalchenkoaspartoftheplantogetridofTsepov.Tsepovwasconnected
withalltheSt.Petersburgsiloviky,buthisstrongerconnectionswerewiththeMVDandFSO,Mikhalchenkos
supposedlywiththeFSB,asintheitemabove.
representedaroadblocktoKumarinsfriendMikhalchenkosambitiontotakeoverTsepovssecuritybusiness/fixer
roleinSt.Petersburg.IhadalsosuspectedDeripaska,whomayhavebeenirritatedbyTsepovsreported
oversteppinginpresentinghimselfasaDeripaska(withoutDsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateofYukosbut
heresanimportantpoint:DeripaskawassupposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.AndZolotovwas
aclosefriendofTsepovs.SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspectforusinghisFSB
connectionsandMikhalchenkotokillTsepov.
Theproblemwehaveisthatmorerecentlyandthisisanumberofyearslater,tobesureoursourceshadMurov
asMikhalchenkospatronandkrysha.Thingscanchange,ofcoursemaybeMikhalchenkosFSBconnections
weretopeopleclosertoPatrushevthanthemanwhowouldsucceedhimatFSB,Bortnikov,andare-alignmenttook
placeafteranumberofchangesinthepowerblockandafterMikhalchenkohadestablishedhimselfasTsepovs
successor.Whatsmore,wealsohavesomesourcessayingthatZolotovdriftedapartfromhisoldboss,Murov,and
waspleasedtoreplacehimwithhisownman,Kochnev,asheadoftheFSO.See,forinstance,thenotesfrom27
May.
Ivebeenwritingthesenotessince2002.Thenotesfromsummer2004topresentareavailableattheOSCsitefor
thosewithaccesswhomightbeinterestedintracingthestorybacktoSt.Petersburginthe2000s.
RelationsbetweentheFSBInternalSecurityDirectorate(USB)andtheFSBSEBhavebeenstrainedlatelyandthestrainhas
resultedinscandalsandcriminalcases.RosbaltssourcessayitstheFSBUSBsboss,Korolev,whowilltakeoveratFSB
SEB.Hisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov,willtakeoveratUSB,andIvanTkachevofFSBUSBwilltakeoverDirectorateK.When
thenheadofFSBUSB,AleksandrKupryazhkin,waspromotedtoFSBdeputydirectorin2011,Feoktistovwassupposedto
behisreplacement,butSergeyKorolev,acomradeofAnatoliySerdyukovs,gotthenodJustacoupleofyearsago,theUSB
andSEBwerefriendlyandcooperatedinthecaseagainsttheMVDGUEBiPK,butthentheUSBturneditsattentiontothe
SEB.InFebruaryoflastyear,USBofficersarrestedDirectoratePsIgorKorobitsinfordemandinga$1millionbribefromthe
headofRosalkogolregulirovanie,IgorChuyan.Atthebeginningofthisyear,theUSBimplicatedDirectorateKsVadimUvarov
inanextortioncaseinvolvingcontrabandcellphones.Theshadowfinancialsectorhasreportedlyalreadyreactedtothe
personalshiftsatFSBbyraisingitsrateforlegalizinglargeamountsofillicitcash(obnalichivanieorobnal)to15%...

Onepropagandafailureafteranother,withthestarringrolegoingtothefailedsuccessor,Medvedevandhistheresnomoney
comment.AnditsnothappeningwithoutaPeskov-Volodin-Ernstconspiracy.TheresacampaignagainstMedvedev,onethe
majorityoftheKremlintowerssupport.
the25Maynotes.HisremarksweremockedaroundtheRunet.PutinsaidthatmaybeMedvedevscommentshadbeen
takenoutofcontext:http://www.newsru.com/russia/28may2016/hold_on.htmlAndthatthegovernmentwaspayingmore
attentiontofulfillingsocialobligationsanyway,alotofcountrieswerehavingproblemswithpensions
RussiasBraindrain
Some350,000peopleleftRussiain2015,tentimesmorethanfiveyearsago.Manyarehighlytrainedandlookingforbetterbusiness
opportunitiesabroad,thenewspapersaid.
Tuesday.
Thosewishingtomovesaidthattheyweremotivatedbymorefavorableconditionsfordevelopingprivatebusinesses,betterprospects
offindinginvestors,andahigherqualityoflife.
powers/571816.html
Thevoteconcludedwith413deputiesforandthreeagainst,allthreecomingfromtheAJustRussiaoppositionparty:DmitryGudkov,
SergeiPetrov,andPonomarevhimself,votinginabsentiafromtheUnitedStates.
Duringtheproceedings,theleaderoftheLiberalDemocraticPartyofRussia,VladimirZhirinovsky,allegedthatPonomarevisleading
anti-Russianpropagandaandactingagainsttheinterestsofthecountry.
TheAJustRussiapartypresentedtheinitiative,andconcludedthatPonomarevhasnotcometotheDumaintwoyears,hasnotbeen
workingwithconstituents,andhasnotbeencommunicatingwiththeparty.Ponomarevrefutestheseclaims,Vedomostireported.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-state-duma-passes-law-regulating-news-aggregators/571817.html
LeadingRussiansearchengineYandexwascriticalofthebillwhenitwasfirstintroduced,sayingthatitsrequirementswereexcessive
andimpractical.Thelawrequiresaggregatorstosavetheinformationtheydisseminateforsixmonthsafterpublication.
UponinitialintroductioninFebruary,anexplanatorynoteaccompanyingthebillstatedtheneedforstricterregulationofaggregators,
onthebasisoftheiraudiencereachandabilitytoinfluenceopinion.
FrenchbankSocieteGeneralebeganclosingtheaccountsofRussiandiplomatsinPariswithoutexplanationonFriday,thestate-run
RIANovostinewsagencyreported.
Accountsofpeopleassociatedwithstate-ownedandoperatednewsagencyRossiaSegodnyawerealsofrozeninJune2015,amove
declaredillegalbyaPariscourtinApril.
FollowingameetingoftheBoardofDirectors,thebankdecidedtolowertheratebasedonrecentperceivedpositivetrendsininflation
patterns.
TheBoardofDirectorsnotespositiveprocessofinflationstabilization,declineofinflationexpectationsandinflationrisksamidsigns
ofanapproachingphaseofgrowingrecovery,thebank'sreportsaid,TASSreported.
ThereportsaidthedecisionwasalsobasedonpositiveGDPtrendsinQ1ofthisyear,aswellasmacroeconomicindicatorsinApril,
whichreflectthegrowingabilityoftheRussianeconomytowithstandfluctuationsinthepriceofoil.
TheRussianCentralBankwillconsiderthepossibilityoffurtherreductionofthekeyrate,assessinginflationrisksandcomplianceof
dynamicsofinflationdecelerationwiththetargettrajectory,thereportsaid.

Senttime: 07/15/201603:01:51PM
Subject: InternetNotes15July2016
Attachments: IN15July16.docx
InternetNotes15July2016
NotesonNotes(AcommentonPutinsneighborsatValdayandaquestion)
AnotherarrestbytheFSB(KhorevandthearrestofStanislavSvetlitskiy)
MorefromOrlova
TheFSBarrestsGangsterKalashov
GovernmentannouncesRosneftprivatizationplan
Shoyguclaimsmorethan2000ISISmilitantsfromRussiakilledinSyria
PutinaddressestheFrenchpresidentaftertheNiceattack
PutinmeetswithKerry
Strelkov:Putinandhisteamaredeterminedtosurrender
Recallthisbitfromthe2Junenotes:
[http://politcom.ru/21134.html
AlekseyMakarkinsaysthatMurovsresignationisavictoryforZolotov(theywereonceapparatusallies,butZolotovhashisownclientelethesedays)ZolotovwasabletoreplacehimwithhismanDmitriy
Kochnev,ZolotovslongtimedeputyatthePresidentialSecurityServicewhosincelastyearhasheadedthatservice.Systemically,weseecadresfromthatservicebeingplacedinimportantpostsGeneral
KolpakovasheadofthePresidentialAffairsAdministration,GeneralMironovisnowheadoftheMVDseconomiccrimesunit(MakarkinseesDyuminmovingfromdeputydefenseministertoTulagovernoras
somethingofademotionsoheisanexceptiontotherule).
Thereisatendencytoachangingofthegenerationalguardinthehigherechelonsofvlast.Intheearly2000s,whenPutinbecamepresident,hebroughtwithhimateamofpeopleclosetohim,peoplehehad
workedwithintheKGBorinSt.Petersburg.Foralongtime,Putindidnotmakeanychangesinhiscircleheisamanstableinhissympathiesaswellashisantipathies.Iftherewasachange,thenitwasalateral
move,oraccompaniedbysomeformofcompensation.Butsomewheredowntheline,PutinbegantodoubttheeffectivenessofthesepeopleYakuninsdeparturefromRussianRailwayswasanindicator.And
Putinsawthataresignationinhisclosecirclewasnotacatastrophe.Thesystemcontinuedtofunctionnormally.SowegotadominoeffectViktorIvanovlosthisFSKNpost,Gryzlovhisseatasapermanent
SecurityCouncilmember.NowitsMurovsturn.
Comment:OnYakunin,Iwonderedwhetherhisdeparturehesubsequentlywarnedotherstheywerenotsafehadsomethingtodowitha)thecrisis,andtheineffectivenessofpeoplewhokeptcomingback
againandagainaskingformoremoney,moresubsidies.Putinwasdisturbedbythecrisisandthesensethathewasnotbeingrepaidwiththedegreeofsteadfastnessandloyaltyhemighthaveexpectedandb)
Putinsownviewofhimselfasamanofdestiny,onethatwasevident,Ithink,beforetheUkrainecrisis,asensethathewasamanapart,withaspecialmission.Thatwouldtendtomakeiteasiertopartwith
friendshemightseeaspresentingroadblockstofulfillinghisdestiny.InalowtrustenvironmentlikethatinRussia,suchmovesmightcauserumblingsamongthoseinhiscirclewhoexpectapremiumfrom
beingclosetothebodyaswellasdrawingthecircleofthosemosttrustedevencloser.LikeZolotov.
Makarkindoesntliketheclandescriptionofgroupswithinvlasthesaysthatvlastismoreatomized,withRussianpoliticscomprisedofafewdozenmajorplayersandtheirclienteleswhoform
situationalallianceswithoneanother,andclashaswell,withthepresidentpresidingoverthesystemsarbitrationwhichsoundsprettymuchlikemyverticalaxisoftheclansystem(thejust
businessaxis),soIthinkhesmakingadistinctionwithoutadifference.Onthehorizontalaxisareonesclosestfriendsandrelatives,thepeopleonecountsoninapinchIthinkwehaveanideaofwho
someofthosepeopleareinPutinscircleZolotov,Roldugin,theRotenbergs,andtheKovalchuksbeingexamples.
MakarkinissayingthatthecadrereservesPutinisdrawingonarenotsomuchfromthebroaderFSOasfromitsPresidentialSecurityServicebranch.]
Comment:Inthebitinthe13JulynotesonPutinsneighborsatValday,aswellasneighborsataSt.Petersburgapartmentbuildingmentionedinthepiece,theonlyname
thatdidntpopupthatImighthaveexpectedwasSergeyRoldugin.PutinsclosestingroupappearstobemadeupofOzeropeople,RossiyaBankpeople,afew
relatives,andhisbodyguards.
OnequestionhowlongdidPutindropoutofsightthistime?Isawhimchairingameetingwiththegovernmentonthenewsinthelastdayortwo.
http://mosmonitor.ru/articles/economy/u_vodokanalov_evraziyskogo_potekla_kryisha__kak_stanislav_svetlitskiy_pod_opekoy_generala_mvd_horeva_milliardyi_otkachal
Thearrestwason24June.Itdoesntsaywhichdepartment/directorateoftheFSBmadethearrest(itjustsaystheFSBscentralapparatus),butthemanarrestedinRostov(whileona
planewaitingtotakeoffforGermany)wasStanislavSvetlitskiy,formerdeputyenergyminister,currentlyheadofacompanycalledEurasia,whichhandleswatersupplyforcommunal
servicesintheregion.Svetlitskiyisaccusedoffraud.SvetlitskiywastakentoMoscowandisinLefortovo(butthereisanalternativeversiyainwhichSvetlitskiyandtheheadofanother
company,DmitriyPuzanovofABVK-EKHO,areinapre-trialdetentioncenterinRostovandtheinvestigationisheadedbytheMVD).ThechargesincludeanallegedplanbySvetlitskiy
andPuzanovtobankruptacertainfinancialinstitution(NarodniyKreditbank)andmakeoffwithdepositorsmoney.Butsomesaythattherealreasonsforhisarrestareconnectionsto
certainformer,andperhapscurrent,Moscowsiloviky.
ThearticleincludesabitonSvetlitskiybeingsuspectedofmoneylaunderinginSwitzerland(hetriedtoblameitallonVEBsVladimirDmitriyev).InRussia,hewasoneofthoseaccused
inanallegedschemetostealVEBfunds(thecasewasopenedbytheMVD,butlaterdropped)ThearticlegoesontopointoutthatSvetlitskiycouldnothavegottenawaywithsomuch
forsolongwithoutaninfluentialpatronandasitturnsout,oneoftheEurasiacompanyboardmembersinAndreyKhorev,oneoftheparticipantsintheMagnitskiyaffairandformerfirst
deputyheadofMVDEconomicSecuritySvetlitskiysarrestisasignthatKhorevsinfluenceiswaning
Comment:KhorevwaspartofanextortionschemewithpeopleinvolvedintheMagnitskiyaffair.AformerMVDcaptainwhoworkedunderhim,MaksimKaganskiy,
wasthemiddlemanintheextortionpaymentscheme.Khorevdidnotpassare-assessmentofMVDofficersandheandKaganskiylefttheministrybackin2011.Isaw
hisdepartureasrelatedtoaclanbattleovercontrollingmarketsforopening/closingcases/extortion/briberyandtaxrebateschemes,withKaganskiyafixeroffering
hisandKhorevsservicestoprospectiveclients.Seethe25January2012notesandthe6October2011notes.
KaganskiyalsoactedasafixerandintermediaryfortheDubikbrothersSergeyandNikolaypartofMedvedevslawyers/classmatesfaction.Seethenotes
from29March2012.KhorevcameupinthecontextoftheGUEBiPKscandalaswellhewasarivalofDenisSugrobov,whoeventuallywentontoheadthereorganized
MVDeconomicsecurityunit(re-namedtheChiefDirectorateforEconomicSecurityandAnti-Corruption,orGUEBiPK).FeoktistovoftheFSBUSB,whosenamehas
comeseveraltimesrecentlyinconnectionwitharrestsmadebytheFSB,wasaKhorevbackeragainstSugrobov(inthebattleovertakingchargeofMVDeconomic
security).Seethe10Junenotes.FeoktistovsbossatUSB,Korolev,wasmovedtotakeoverasheadofFSBEconomicSecurity(SEB)andFeoktistovwassaidtobein
linetotakeovertheUSB(sodoesthearrestofaKhorevprotghaveanimpactonthat?).TheUSBseemedtobemakingafullcourtpressontakingovertheSEB,but
then,somethinghappenedfromthe6Julynotes:
[http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/73735.html
Ahighly-placedFSBofficertellsNovayathatBelykhsarrestexceededtheboundsofunderstoodauthorityusually,anymovesinvolvingapersonappointedbythepresidenthavetobeclearedbythefirst
person,butinBelykhscaseeventheoperationalworkbeforethearrestwasnotclearedaheadoftimewiththepresident.InformationwasgatheredunderthecoverofgatheringmaterialonNavalniy.Thesource
tellsNovayathatformonthsnow,aconflictbetweenFSBers,ledbySergeyIvanov,andFSOpeoplewhowereheadedformallyandinformallybynowex-FSOchiefYevgeniyMurov,hasbeenunderway.The
sourcesaysthatthecreationoftheNationalGuardwasavictoryfortheFSOsideoftheconflict.Itsnotthemobthatweareafraidof,saysthesource,buteachother(Comment:Shulmansaidsomething
similarbackinthe27Maynotes).AndthereisabasisforfearthemostseriousfunctiongrantedtotheNationalGuardistheoperational-investigativefunction.TheresnoguaranteethattheNatsguardwill
notusethatfunctiontogoafterFSBpersonnelpostedtoministries,intheregions,andinmajorbanksandenterprises.TheFSOalsopostsitscadresoutsideserviceeverygovernorsoffice,forexample,has
anFSOofficerkeepingwatch,maybeasheadofthegovernorsapparatus,ormaybeasanaideortakingoverthegovernorspost(Comment:ThatsareferencetoaformerFSOman,Dyumin,takingoveras
Tulagovernor).
FSOsourcesconfirmthattheFSBclantookthecreationoftheNatsguardhard.AtthesametimetheNatsguardwasbeingcreated,therewassomelobbying(Comment:Whodidthelobbying?)tocreateanew
MinistryofStateSecurity(MGB)thatwouldincludetheFSB,theFSO,andtheSVR.Murov,however,managedtodefendtheindependenceoftheFSO.WithouttheFSO,creatinganMGBdidntmakesense.But
thewheelswerealreadyturningoncreatingtheNatsguard.TheFSBclancouldnotsitbyandwatchtheFSOgrowstronger,soablowagainstthemwasdeliveredon16MarchwhenDmitriyMikhalchenkowas
arrested.TheFSBknowsfullwellthatMurovwasMikhalchenkospatron.MurovalsosupposedlyintroducedMikhalchenkotoPutin,recommendinghimasabusinessmanwhogenerouslysupportedthe
presidentsinitiatives.Mikhalchenkowasactuallyarrestedtwicethefirsttime,theofficerheadingtheoperationcalledMurovandMikhalchenkowassubsequentlyreleased.Hewasreprimandedfordoingso
andagainarrestedMikhalchenko.Afewdayslater,theFSBreportedtoPutinaboutthearrestandtheroleoftheFSOclaninMikhalchenkosbusinessschemes.Murovsfatewaspracticallydecidedonthatvery
day.
AnotherFSBvictorywastheliquidationoftheFSKNViktorIvanovwasaheavyweightintheFSOclan.TheFSBthenmovedtogetridofFSO-connectedpeoplewithintheFSBapparatus,themostprominent
onebeingtheheadofDirectorateKofFSBEconomicSecurity(FSBSEB),ViktorVoronin(Comment:Therewasabitinthe9JunenotesthatclaimedVoroninwasclosetoViktorIvanov.Iwonderedwhetherthe
fateofIvanovwashavinganimpactonpeopleconnectedtohimlikeLarisaKalanda).VoroninsdeparturewasfollowedbymuchtalkofmoreturnoveratFSB.Butcadreturnoverhasbeendraggedoutsomesay
thattheFSBclangrewnervousandmadeafatalmistakebyarrestingBelykh.BothFSBandFSOsourcessaythattheKirovFSBoverplayeditshandandexceededitsunderstoodauthoritybymakingthearrest.
Firstofall,PutinwasnotinformedabouttheoperationalexperimentagainstBelykh.
ItcouldbethataftertheBelykharrest,anumberofchangesthatwereintheworksatFSBSEBwerehalted.IvanTkachevofthe6t hDirectorateofFSBInternalSecurity(FSBUSB)wassupposedtotakeoveras
headofDirectorateKatFSBSEB,butisnowsupposedlyslatedforthe1stdeputyspot.Thewordisthattheheadofthedirectoratewillbeitscurrent1stdeputychief,AndreyYegorov.Otherchangesthathave
beentalkedaboutwonthappen.]
Iattemptedtosumupwherewewereatinthesilovikyshakeupsinmycommentsinthe6Julynotes:
[Comment:Alright,letsseeifwecanmakesomesenseofthisOntheMGBstory,letsbackuptothenotesfrom20JunethematerialinthosenotesonforminganewMGBorMinistryforPublicSecurity
(MOB)seemedtopointtoastrengtheningofZolotovsposition,withtheNatsguardbeingusedtopurgetheoldpowerstructuresandscreenofficersforpositionsintheMGB.ThematerialfromNovayasays
thatMurovopposedtheMGBprojectandwasabletosavehisFSO,whichundercuttheMBG/MOBplan.WeusuallythinkofMurovandZolotovasallies,butoneofoursourceshadZolotovdriftingawayfrom
hisoldbossandsettingupshoponhisownasNationalGuardchief(AlekseyMakarkinclaimedinthe2JunenotesthatMurovsdeparturewasavictoryforZolotovasMurovwasreplacedbyKochnev,aman
fromtheservicethatZolotovhadheaded,thePresidentialSecurityService.OnereasonIvehadZolotovasabigwinner,bigenoughtoreallyupsetthebalanceamongthesiloviky,isthatsomeofoursources,
Makarkinwasone,havesaidthatPutinisntusingtheFSOasawholeforacadresreserve,hesusingtheZolotov-connectedPresidentialSecurityServiceforthat),somaybehesupportedtheMGB/MOB
operation.
Nevertheless,Murovisgonesowhatkindofcloutdoeshehavenowthatcouldpreventthemergergoingforward?ItwouldmakesensethatiftheendgamewasaMGB/MOBstaffedwithpeoplescreenedby
ZolotovthattheFSBandBortnikovwouldopposeit.WhileMurovsleavingmayatleasthavenotbeenopposedbyZolotov,maybethatretirementandthedeep-sixingoftheMGB/MOBprojectwascompensation
totheFSBforthecreationoftheNatsguard,whichpracticallyallofoursourceshaveseenasamovethatweakenstheFSB.Ofcourse,thatdoesnotmeanthatPutinisntinfavorofapurgeandvettingofthe
powerstructures,aprocessthatmightbesupervisedbyZolotov.Wellhavetowaitandseeaboutthat.IsuspectitwonthappenthatPutinwillholdback.Thereareplentyofotherswhomightopposesucha
super-concentrationofpowerintheNatsguardandIvewrittenthatmovesmeanttopreventapalacecoupcouldbackfireifthereisaperceptionthatoneplayerisgettingtoostrong.
IvewrittenonMikhalchenkosarrestlikelybeingasignthatMurovwasweakened(Seethe21and31Marchnotes).Mikhalchenkoalsoturnedupinthe30Marchand26,27,and31Mayand7,9,and10
Junenotes.Abitinthe9JunenotesfromKommersanthadVoroninasclosetoMikhalchenko(AndwesawaclaiminthosesamenotesthatRomodanovskiyofthenow-defunctFMSwasaprotgofVIvanovas
well).TherewassomeconfusionaboutMikhalchenkoskryshainthe9and10Junenotes,IwentoverapiececlaimingthatMikhalchenkowasinvolvedinthekillingofRomanTsepovinSt.Petersburg
backin2004.Inthatscenario,MikhalchenkowasconnectedtotheFSB,whileTsepovwasclosetotheFSOpeople,especiallyZolotov,andthe(reportedly)ViktorIvanov-connectedRomodanovskiy,who,like
Zolotov,attendedTsepovsfuneral.
BothTsepovandMikhalchenkohadawebofconnectionstovariouspowerdepartments.ButTsepovstieswerestrongestwithFSOpeople,apparently.Connectionschangeovertimeandoverlap.Upuntil
early2004,BortnikovwasinSt.PetersburgmaybeheandMikhalchenkoestablishedafirmrelationship,whileMikhalchnekoalsohadsomelinesouttotheFSOpeople.Couldbethatare-alignmentof
kryshastookplacesometimeafterTsepovsmurderandMikhalchenkossteppingintotakeoverTsepovsnicheintheNorthernCapital.Anothercomplicatingfactorasmentionedabove,Romodanovskiy
wenttoTsepovsfuneral.Butabitinthe9JunenotessaidhewasclosetoMikhalchenkoandcouldbeimplicatedinthecaseagainsthim.
OnTkachevheisfromtheFSBUSB.HewassupposedtotakeoveratFSBSEB(See,forinstance,the10Junenotes).SeemycommentsaboveaboutOrlovastakeontheFSBUSBbeinginZolotovssphere
ofinfluence.Yakovlev,whowassaidtobeaBortnikovprotg,wasreportedlyreplacedatFSBSEBbyInternalSecuritysKorolev.DidKorolevinfactgetthejob?Abitinthe14Junenotesclaimedthathehad
alreadytakenoverasheadofFSBSEB.ThatsamebitsaidthatKorolevwasresponsibleforthecriminalcasethatcosttheFSBSEBsheadofDirectorateK,ViktorVoronin,hispost,aswellasheadofFSB
SEBYakovlevlosinghis.Morechangesweresupposedlyontheway,butNovayaclaimstheywonthappen.Sothemaneuveringiscontinuing.]
WhileImatit,IllbackuptoaNovember2014summationoftheGUEBiPKscandalIincludedinthe29Marchnotes:
[Comment:ReaderswillrecalltheGUEBiPKscandal,whichIfollowedforsometimeinthesenotes.Isummarizedthescandaluptothatpointinthe11November2014notes.RecallaswellthatKolesnikov
diedunderhighlyquestionablecircumstanceswhileincustody.
Fromthe11November2014notes:
[Comment:Thelastupdatewasbackon2October.RecallthattheInvestigativeCommittee(SK)wasgoingtoagainreviewthecircumstancesofKolesnikovsdeath.Welearnedofdubiousoperationsinvolving
theMVDsMainDirectorateforEconomicSecurityandAnti-Corruption(GUEBiPK)andVEB.TheGUEBiPKscandalappearstohavebeensetoffbyaclashbetweenMVDeconomicsecurityontheonehand
(WithperhapssomehelpfromsomeelementsintheProsecutorsoffice)anditsFSBcounterpart(withhelpfromtheInvestigativeCommitteetheSK)overcontrollingmoneylaunderingchannels.Thebattle
waskickedoffinthesummerof2013withaseriesofraidsonbanksbytheMVD.ThebattlealsoreportedlyhasinvolvedalliesofformereconomicsecuritybossKhorev(whowasreplacedbyDenisSugrobov)
andhiscloseassociateMaksimKaganskiy,seekingrevengeagainstSugrobov(Seethe3Augustnotes).
SomehavecastthescandalasanattackonMVDchiefKolokoltsevandonPutinadvisorYevgeniyShkolov(Oncethescandalbroke,itsquitelikelythatrivalsilovikyclanshavebeenusingitasameansof
settlingscoresunrelatedtotheoriginalbattleovermoneylaunderingchannels).ThelastwereadwasthatPutinsformerpresidentialsecuritychief,Zolotov,whohadbeensenttotheMVDandmadeheadof
theInternalTroops,wouldbeelevatedtoheadtheministry(Seethenotesfrom30October).Meanwhile,anumberofcasesinvolvingtheGUEBiPKhavebeenunderreviewandareunraveling,asagentsused
byGUEBiPKchiefSugrobovspeopleweretargetedforframingtheirvictims(theformalaccusationinthecaseisoftheGUEBiPKpeopleformingacriminalcommunitytocarryouttheirframeups).Some
investigatorsinthosecasesresigned.SugrobovsandKolesnikovspropertywasarrested.AnumberofGUEBiPKpeopleimplicatedinthecriminalcasehavesignedagreementswiththeinvestigationandare
cooperating.]
MorefromOrlova
http://www.theamericaninterest.com/2016/07/14/thefsbgoesafteranamericancompany/
InthelatesttwistintheevolvingdramawehavebeencloselyfollowinghereatTAI,RussiansecurityservicescameafteranAmericancompanyAmwayinMoscow.FSBofficers,accompaniedbyFederal
TaxServiceagents,searchedbothAmwaysofficeintheRussiancapital,aswellasitswarehousesinthesurroundingMoscowregion,RBCreports,citingastatementfromthecompany.
ThesearcheswereconductedbytheEconomicSecurityServiceoftheFSBsixdaysafterVladimirPutinhadappointedthenewheadoftheService.SergeyKovalevreplacedYuryYakovlevafteraharshfight
betweenthetwodepartmentsinsidetheFSB:DirectorateK,adepartmentintheEconomicSecurityService(SEB),andthe6thService,adivisionoftheInteriorSecurityDepartment(USB).
The6thService,asecretivedepartmentinsidetheFSBknownastheGestapofortheharshtacticsitemploysasanunofficialinternalintelligenceagency,beganitswarwithDirectorateKforcontrolover
thefinancialsectorinRussiaarounda1218monthsago.(DirectorateKisthewatchdogresponsibleforallfinancialandbankoperationsinthecountry.)The6thServiceissaidtohaveboththeprotection
andtheblessingofGeneralViktorZolotov,PutinslongtimeheadofsecuritywhowasrecentlyappointedtoleadthenewlyformedNationalGuard.
Thefighthasthusfarresultedinmuchcollateraldamage:attheveryleastthreegovernorshavebeenarrested,severalbusinesseshavebeenlost,andtherehavebeentwomajorresignations.InMayofthis
year,theHeadofDirectorateK,ViktorVoronin,sentinhisresignationletterafterhissubordinatewasimplicatedinabriberyscandaluncoveredbyanauditinitiatedbythe6thService.AsRBCnotes,
VoroninsbossattheFSBsEconomicSecurityService,YuryYakovlev,wasnudgedtoresigninJune,buthedeclinedtodothat.Thisresultedinasecondaudit,alsoinitiatedbythe6thService,whichfinally
madeYakovlevfilehisresignationpapers.
ThenewheadofDirectorateKhasnotyetbeenappointed.Sourcessayitwillbethecurrentchiefofthe6thService,IvanTkachev,themanwhobroughtdownGeneralDenisSugrobov,theheadofthe
EconomicalSecurityandAnticorruptionDepartmentoftheInteriorMinistry,aswellashisdeputyGeneralBorisKolesnikov,in2014.Sugrobovisnowinjailawaitingtrial,andKolesnikovfelloutofa
windowoftheInvestigativeCommitteeheadquartersinMoscowundersuspiciouscircumstances.Comment:SoOrlovadoesntknowabouttheclaimthatTkachevwasblockedfrom
takingtheDirectorateKjob.
Yetlessthanaweekafterasuccessfulandlongawaitedcareertransition,KovalevstruckatanAmericanbusinessinRussia.AstheAmwaysPRdirectortoldthepress,thereasonforthesearcheswas
neverexplainedtothecompany.Thesilovikionlyshowedawarrantandstartedtakingdocumentsaway.
Theepisodeiseerilyreminiscentofthewhathappenedin2007toHermitageCapital,WilliamBrowdersMoscowbasedinvestmentfund.Thoseraidsresultedina$230milliontaxtheft,thedeathof
HermitageslawyerjailedSergeyMagnitsky,andtheenactmentoftheMagnitskyActbytheUnitedStates.ItdoesntseemlikemuchofacoincidencethatDirectorateKwasresponsibleforissuingthelegal
findingsthatseveralcompaniesbelongingtoHermitageCapitalwereunderpayingtheirtaxeswhichtriggeredtheraids.
Foundedin1959,Amway,whichisnowpartofAlticorholdings,manufacturesconsumernutrition,beautyandhomecareproducts.AmwayisrankedNo.30amongthelargestprivatelyheldcompaniesin
theUnitedStatesbyForbes.ItssalesinRussiafor2014exceeded18billionrubles($270million).
EarlierinApril,theFSBalsosearchedtheofficesofOriflame,anotherforeigncosmeticscompanyoperatinginRussia.TheFederalTaxServiceclaimeditsuspectedtheSwedishcompanyoftaxevasion.
Aswehavebeenwriting,theshrinkingofRussiaseconomy,coupledwiththesignificantenlargementofthemilitaryandintelligenceservicesledtothesilovikishakingdownmoreandmorebusinessesin
Russia.Foreignersareclearlynolongerexempt.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/the-tale-behind-the-arrest-of-russias-most-notorious-crime-boss/574964.html
InteriorMinistryShakroMolodoi
WhenitopenedinJuly2015,theElementsKoreanrestaurantincentralMoscowgotgoodreviewsbothforfoodanddesign.Butthat'snotwhattherestaurantisfamousfor.
Twowomentherestaurantownerandadesignershehiredtorenovateandfurnishitdisagreedoverpaymentafterthedesignerfailedtomeettheagreeddeadline.Aswasreportedatthattime,therestaurant
ownerZhannaKimrefusedtopaythedesignerthe2millionrubles($30,000)shewasowedfordesigningtherestaurant.
WhatstartedasausualfinancialdisagreementledtooneofthemostnotoriousarmedfightsincentralMoscowsincethe1990sandtothearrestofoneofRussiasmostnotoriouscriminalsthief-in-law
ZakharyKalashovbetterknownbythepseudonymShakroMolodoi.
OnDec.15,2015,around20armedmenoccupiedthebeautifulroomsintheElementsrestaurant.Everyoneshutup,nooneleavesthebuildinguntilwemakeadeal,ZhannaKim,atrendsetter,asocialiteandthe
restaurantowner,laterrecalledinvariousinterviews.
Itwasashakedown,shesaid.Aswasreportedlater,FatimaMisikova,thedesigner,hadreassignedthedebtthatKimstillowedhertomobsterAndreiKochuikov,knownasTheItalianandahigh-ranking
memberofShakrosgang.
Whathappenedlaterreceivedextensivepresscoverage.TheItalianshowedupwithasimplemessage:ifthedebtisnotpaid,hewouldtakeovertherestaurant.ZhannaKimrefusedtopayhim.
ShecalledthepoliceandherlawyerretiredInteriorMinistryColonelEduardBudantsev,reportedlyconnectedtolawenforcementaswellastheTaganskayacrimegroupandnowalawyerengagedindebt
collection.
AlwaysarmedwithaBerettathatwaspersonallyawardedtohimbytheinteriorminister,hearrivedquicklywithhissupportersanddemandedthattheunwantedguestsleaveatonce.
AccordingtotheKommersantnewspaper,TheItaliantoldBudantsev,thathewassanctionedtomilkthiscowbyShakro.HethenaskedifBudantsevhadanyrespectforthelawofthievesand,afterhearingan
emotionalNo,TheItalianorderedhissubordinatestopackthebaldone[Budantsev]intothecar.
Inthefightthatfollowedoutsidetherestauranttwomenwereshotdeadandseveralwerewounded.Accordingtosomereports,Shakroalsowasatthescene,buthisnamelaterdisappearedfrominteriorministry
documents.
YouTube/Instagram/modifiedbyMT
LR:ShakroMolodoi,ZhannaKimandEduardBudantsev
Halfayearlater,aFederalSecurityService(FSB)squadraidedShakrosmansioninanupmarketareanearMoscow.AvideoreleasedbytheInteriorMinistryshowshisguardsonthegroundwiththeirarmson
theirheads.ThevideoshowsShakroonachairinwhatlookslikethekitchen.
Iwillnottalkinfrontofthecamera,areyoukiddingme?Dontmakeashowoutofit.Turnoffthecameraandwelltalk,hesays.
Itsnotashow,weneedit,theofficersvoiceisheardanswering.
ThecriminalmastermindwaslaterbroughttotheMoscowCentralInvestigationDepartmentwherehewasquestioned,theministryreported.
ShakrowillbeaccusedoforganizingextortionfromtheElementsrestaurantowner,whohadalreadyfiledacomplaint,accordingtotheInterfaxnewsagency.
Shakro,awell-knownRussianmobboss,re-emergedonRussiascriminalscenein2014afterservingan8-yearprisonterminSpainwherehewasconvictedofmoney-launderingandmastermindingcriminal
organizations.
Hewasalsosentencedinabsentiato18yearsinprisonformurderinGeorgia,andGeorgiahasrepeatedlyrequestedthatShakrobeextradited,Gazeta.rureported.AfteranotherfamousmobsterAslanUsoyanwas
killedbyasniperinthecenterofMoscowin2013,ShakrohasbeenregardedasanewleaderofRussiascrimeworld.
ItispersonalforShakro,hisaccomplicewasquotedassayingbyanunnamedsourcewithinlawenforcement.Heintervenedintheconflictbetweentwoladiesathisfriendsrequest.Nobodyknewthere
wouldbeproblems,butinsuchcasessomethingcanalwaysgowrong,thesourcetoldtheMoskovskyKomsomoletsnewspaper.
Doyouconsideryourselfathief-in-law?Shakroisaskedinthevideo.Herefusestoanswerinfrontofthecamera.Butheonceansweredthesamequestionduringaconversationwithlawenforcementwhenhe
camebacktoRussiain2014.Theycallmethat,heanswered,smiling.
ARosbaltreporthastheFSBSEBsDirectorateMmakingthearrest:http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2016/07/12/1531031.html
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-government-presents-rosneft-privatization-guidelines/575305.html
TheRussiangovernmenthasannouncedthecriteriaforpurchasingprivatesharesofstate-ownedoilcompanyRosneft,theVedomostibusinessdailyreportedFriday.
Thegovernmentisselling19.5percentofRosneft'stotalshares,andhopestomakeatleast700billionrubles($11billion).ThisispartofRussia'slargestprivatizationschemesincethe1990s,
withtheRussiangovernmentreluctantlysellingassetsduringadeepeconomicrecession.
PurchasersofRosneft'sprivatestakewillbesubjecttoseveralrequirements.First,anysharepackagepurchasedmustbeheldforatleastthreeyears,topreventshort-terminvesting.
Second,investorswillberequiredtosignashareholder'sagreementthatobligesthemtovoteinfavorofanygovernmentmemberwhoappliesforaseatonRosneft'sboardofdirectors.
Third,aninvestorisrequiredtobefreeofdebtandwithacleanrecordofcorruption.Ifpotentialinvestorsholddebt,theymustpresentaplanfordebtconsolidation.
ApreliminarylistofcandidatesforpurchaseofthesharesmustbesubmittedtothegovernmentbySept.1.Thesuccessfulprivatizationofoilassetsisnotguaranteed,andifthepriceofcrudeoil
climbs,analystssayprospectsofsalearedim.
ThefirstsaleofRussia'snewprivatizationcampaignwasconcludedthisweekwhena10.9percentstakeintheworld'slargestdiamondminer,Alrosa,wassoldfor52.2billionrubles($816
million).Theshareswentfor65rubles($1.01)each.Seethe11Julynotes.
UnderPresidentVladimirPutin,theRussiangovernment'sstakeintheeconomyhasincreaseddramatically,toashighas55percentin2015.Whenaskedwhythestateislookingtosellassets,
Putinreplied:Weneedthemoney.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/defense-minister-over-2000-islamic-state-militants-from-russia-killed-in-syria/575302.html
Morethan2,000militantswhotraveledfromRussiatojoinIslamicStatewerekilledbyRussianarmedforcesoperatinginSyria,DefenseMinisterSergeiShoigusaid,theDozhdnewsagency
reportedFriday.
Thetargetedterrorists,with17warlordsamongthem,werepromulgatingradicalIslamandplottingtobringjihadtoRussia,Shoigusaid.
WithhelpfromtheRussianairforce,Syriantroopsmanagedtoclearmorethan12,000squarekilometersand150townsfromislamistmilitants.Atotalof586settlementswereliberated,which
allowedmorethan264,000refugeestoreturntotheirhomes,Shoigusaid.
Accordingtothedefenseminister,moremilitaryconflictsarelikelytoeruptinnearfuture,giventhecurrentdevelopmentofevents,theInterfaxnewsagencyreported.
CrisissituationssimilartotheoneinSyriamightbeprovokedinCentralAsia,andRussiawillbeforcedtoadequatelyrespondtopotentialthreats,ShoiguwasquotedassayingbyInterfax.
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52522
PresidentofRussiaVladimirPutin:LastnightweallheardaboutanotheroutrageousterroristattackinFrance.IunderstandthatthePresidentandmanyofFrancesleadersaretoobusynowfortelephone
conversations.Therefore,IwouldliketoaddressMrPresidentpublicly.
DearFrancois,
Russiaknowsterrorismandthethreatitcreatesforusall.Ourpeoplehavehadtodealwithsimilartragediesmanytimes,andwearedeeplydistressedatthenews.Wewouldliketoexpressoursympathy
andsolidaritywiththeFrenchnation.
ThecriminalactinNicethatresultedindeathandinjury,includingamongRussiancitizens,wascommittedwithextremeatrocityandcynicism.
Iwouldliketostressagainthatonlythroughaunitedeffortcanwedefeatterrorism.
MrPresident,Ikindlyaskyoutopassonmywordsofmostsinceresympathyandsupporttothevictimsfamiliesandfriends,andwishesforaspeedyrecoverytotheinjured.
PutinmeetswithKerry
PresidentofRussiaVladimirPutin:MrSecretary,colleagues,letmewelcomeyoutoMoscowonceagain.
Iwouldliketonoteourmutualeffortstosettleconflictsthatweconsiderimportantandthatmustberesolved.
MylatestconversationwithPresidentObamaconvincedmethatwearesincerelystrivingnotonlytomaintainanddevelopourcooperationbutalsotoachievepositiveresults.
Ihopeyouwillreporttohimandpleasesendhimmybestregardsthatduringourconsultationstodaywealsomadeheadwayindiscussingandresolvingtheissueswearemeeting
toaddress.
UnitedStatesSecretaryofStateJohnKerry:Well,MrPresident,thankyouverymuchfortakingtime.Iappreciatetheopportunitytobeabletomeet.PresidentObamasendsyouhisregards.He
thoughtitwasaconstructiveconversation,andhopefullywewillbeabletomakesomegenuineprogressthatismeasurableandimplementable,andthatcanmakeadifferencetothecourse
ofeventsinSyria.SoIlookforwardverymuchtoaseriousconversationthiseveningandagaintomorrowwithSergei.Wehavealotofworktodo.
ThePresidentandIbothbelieve,MrPresident,thattheUnitedStatesandRussiaareinapositiontomakeanenormousdifferenceinthecourseofevents,notjustinSyriabutobviously
inUkraineandeveninotherpotentialareasofcooperation.Andsoweareanxioustogettowork.Wehavedonealotofgroundworkbutwerenotwhereweneedtobeyetandwehopetobeable
togetthere.
SoImreadytowork.Iknowyouare.Letsgo.
VladimirPutin:PresidentObamadrewmyattentiontothefactthatwehelpedinthereleaseofoneofyourcitizens.Iwouldliketosaythatwecontinueworkinginthisareaatyourrequest
andalsohopetheUSsidewillreciprocatewithconstructiveeffortsifneedbe.
Comment:StrelkovhasbeengoingafterPutinforawhilenow,claimingtheKremliniscapableonlyofhalfmeasuresandthePutincrowdonlyknowshowtosteal.The
thingtodoisforthepatriotstowaitfortheregimetostartfallingapartandthenstepintopickupthepieces.See,forinstance,thenotesfrom3and7Juneandfrom25
May.
MorefromStrelkov:
http://novorossia.pro/strelkov/2143-igor-strelkov-situaciya-i-perspektivy.html
Fromthepointofviewofapatriotthereisnopositiveforecast.Putinandhisteamaredeterminedtosurrender,buttheWestwillneverpermitRussiaanhonorablecapitulation.Thereis
nosentimentalitythereitwantsonlytodestroytheweakandcutoffheads,especiallywhenthesearestupidandcowardly(Comment:TheimplicationhereisPutin&Co.).Theres
acrisisintheWestitneedsRussiasresources.ItwilldestabilizeRussia.ThentheAnglo-SaxonswillgoaftertheEUtoo,butalittlelater.
RussiasawkwardandindecisiveconducttowardsUkrainewasaservice(knowinglyorthroughincrediblestupidityisworthyofdebate)totheinternationaloligarchywiththeUSinthe
lead.Itcreatedaconvenientscarecrow.Itmissedachancetocreaterealsovereigntyin2014.
Toemployacriminalallegory:theRFhasworthlessrulerswhofoundathiefintheirowngarden(Comment:UkraineIthink)andinsteadofkickingthethiefout,madeloudnoisesand
thenstartedwhiningtothedearWesternpartnersaboutitsgunsetc.ButtheKremlinwillnotuseitsgunsitwillsurrender.
TheKremlinisnothinglessthanacowardlybunchofimpotenthedonistsseededwithWesternagents.Soinsteadofaradicalchangeofcourse(thatthesituationrequires),wehavewhat
wehave.Thiswasthemistakeofthepatriotsin2014tobelievethatsuchachangewaspossible,arealconfrontationwiththeworldhegemon.WethoughtPutinwouldunderstandthe
irreversibilityofhisstep.Buthedidnt.Strelkovstatesthathesashamedtoadmitit,buthethoughtPutinwassmarter.
Wehaveacompletelyossifiedbureaucratic-oligarchicregimeincapableofreformingitself.Itsinastateofshockbyitsexclusionfromtheworldcommunity.Theycantimagineanything
elsebesidesit.
Butwedohaveasplit:thoseclosesttotheWestarereadyforsurrenderatanyprice.Ontheotherhand,therearethosewhounderstandthattolosepoweroverthecountrycouldleadto
lossoflife.Buttheyarepowerlessontheirown.Anewnobilityincapableofindependentaction.ThisistheresultofPutinspersonnelpolicy.Incontrasttothesurrendercrowd,theyare
inarealpanic,becausetheyremainloyaltoPutin.
Comment:StrelkovfollowswitharealsmackatPutinoverhisappearancelikealittle8yearoldschoolboycaughtstealingwiththeSwisspresidentin2014.
WhathasPutindonesubsequently?StolenpagesfromtheMilosevicplaybook,undertheguiseofmakingeveryonehappy.HeshandedovereverythingtotheOstapBenderofourdays,
oneSurkov.HestryingtotradeDonbassforCrimeaandforgiveness.UndertheguiseofhavingleverageoverKiev.TheproblemistheWestwillnotagree.ButSurkovbeingamember
ofthe1s testate,aka5thcolumn,hasmaneuveredPutinintotakingresponsibilityfortheMinskagreements.Obamahashisownideasonthisscore.
AtfirsttheWestwasdumbfoundedbecauseitlookedasifPutinhadtakenanirrevocablestep.Itexpecteddecisiveaction,acompleteturnaboutindomesticandeconomicpolicy
includingtheOprichnina.ButthesedidnotmaterializeinsteadPutinimitatedSaddamandKuwait.ThismadetheWesthappy.Ithasplanstodealwiththisturnofaffairs.Butfaced
withadeadend,theKremlintriedtheSyrianadventure,onethatitdoesntneedandonewhereitcantsucceed.ThemajoritySunnipopulationandtheoppositionofallthesurrounding
statesmakesvictoryimpossible.RevealingthestupidityofPutinandhisentourage,itwentforththinkingtheWestwouldforgiveallinexchangeforthefightagainstISIS(heclaimshegot
thisfromonewell-informedperson).Whenthisforgivenesswasnotforthcoming,PutinbackedAssad.TheWestisseeminglyopposedbutreallyOKwiththisbecauseitenhancesthe
prospectsforoverthrowingthePutinregime,itsrealgoal.PutinsonlysmartmovewasthepartialwithdrawalinMarchbecauseitwascleartheWestwouldnotbendonUkraineandthat
hecantwininSyria.Buthereallydidntdoitandisnowstuckinaswamp.
Sowhataretheresults:twohopelesswars,onewecantwintheotherwewillnotwin.TheKremlinchickenedoutandmadeitadraw.MaybeIwillbearrestedorkilled(butnotover
theweekend)?
Senttime: 06/22/201612:14:39PM
Subject: S.L.Magnitskiy
Appendix1
,08.04.1972.,..
.,.:..
.2.199.242008.
Appendix2
-,..
..,FiresoneDuncan,
Hermitage,Hermitage2007.
Senttime: 07/15/201603:01:51PM
Subject: InternetNotes15July2016
Attachments: IN15July16.docx
InternetNotes15July2016
MorefromOrlova
PutinmeetswithKerry
Recallthisbitfromthe2Junenotes:
[http://politcom.ru/21134.html
AlekseyMakarkinsaysthatMurovsresignationisavictoryforZolotov(theywereonceapparatusallies,butZolotovhashisownclientelethesedays)ZolotovwasabletoreplacehimwithhismanDmitriy
Kochnev,ZolotovslongtimedeputyatthePresidentialSecurityServicewhosincelastyearhasheadedthatservice.Systemically,weseecadresfromthatservicebeingplacedinimportantpostsGeneral
KolpakovasheadofthePresidentialAffairsAdministration,GeneralMironovisnowheadoftheMVDseconomiccrimesunit(MakarkinseesDyuminmovingfromdeputydefenseministertoTulagovernoras
somethingofademotionsoheisanexceptiontotherule).
Thereisatendencytoachangingofthegenerationalguardinthehigherechelonsofvlast.Intheearly2000s,whenPutinbecamepresident,hebroughtwithhimateamofpeopleclosetohim,peoplehehad
workedwithintheKGBorinSt.Petersburg.Foralongtime,Putindidnotmakeanychangesinhiscircleheisamanstableinhissympathiesaswellashisantipathies.Iftherewasachange,thenitwasalateral
move,oraccompaniedbysomeformofcompensation.Butsomewheredowntheline,PutinbegantodoubttheeffectivenessofthesepeopleYakuninsdeparturefromRussianRailwayswasanindicator.And
Putinsawthataresignationinhisclosecirclewasnotacatastrophe.Thesystemcontinuedtofunctionnormally.SowegotadominoeffectViktorIvanovlosthisFSKNpost,Gryzlovhisseatasapermanent
SecurityCouncilmember.NowitsMurovsturn.
Comment:OnYakunin,Iwonderedwhetherhisdeparturehesubsequentlywarnedotherstheywerenotsafehadsomethingtodowitha)thecrisis,andtheineffectivenessofpeoplewhokeptcomingback
againandagainaskingformoremoney,moresubsidies.Putinwasdisturbedbythecrisisandthesensethathewasnotbeingrepaidwiththedegreeofsteadfastnessandloyaltyhemighthaveexpectedandb)
Putinsownviewofhimselfasamanofdestiny,onethatwasevident,Ithink,beforetheUkrainecrisis,asensethathewasamanapart,withaspecialmission.Thatwouldtendtomakeiteasiertopartwith
friendshemightseeaspresentingroadblockstofulfillinghisdestiny.InalowtrustenvironmentlikethatinRussia,suchmovesmightcauserumblingsamongthoseinhiscirclewhoexpectapremiumfrom
beingclosetothebodyaswellasdrawingthecircleofthosemosttrustedevencloser.LikeZolotov.
Makarkindoesntliketheclandescriptionofgroupswithinvlasthesaysthatvlastismoreatomized,withRussianpoliticscomprisedofafewdozenmajorplayersandtheirclienteleswhoform
situationalallianceswithoneanother,andclashaswell,withthepresidentpresidingoverthesystemsarbitrationwhichsoundsprettymuchlikemyverticalaxisoftheclansystem(thejust
businessaxis),soIthinkhesmakingadistinctionwithoutadifference.Onthehorizontalaxisareonesclosestfriendsandrelatives,thepeopleonecountsoninapinchIthinkwehaveanideaofwho
someofthosepeopleareinPutinscircleZolotov,Roldugin,theRotenbergs,andtheKovalchuksbeingexamples.
MakarkinissayingthatthecadrereservesPutinisdrawingonarenotsomuchfromthebroaderFSOasfromitsPresidentialSecurityServicebranch.]
Comment:Inthebitinthe13JulynotesonPutinsneighborsatValday,aswellasneighborsataSt.Petersburgapartmentbuildingmentionedinthepiece,theonlyname
thatdidntpopupthatImighthaveexpectedwasSergeyRoldugin.PutinsclosestingroupappearstobemadeupofOzeropeople,RossiyaBankpeople,afew
relatives,andhisbodyguards.
OnequestionhowlongdidPutindropoutofsightthistime?Isawhimchairingameetingwiththegovernmentonthenewsinthelastdayortwo.
http://mosmonitor.ru/articles/economy/u_vodokanalov_evraziyskogo_potekla_kryisha__kak_stanislav_svetlitskiy_pod_opekoy_generala_mvd_horeva_milliardyi_otkachal
Thearrestwason24June.Itdoesntsaywhichdepartment/directorateoftheFSBmadethearrest(itjustsaystheFSBscentralapparatus),butthemanarrestedinRostov(whileona
planewaitingtotakeoffforGermany)wasStanislavSvetlitskiy,formerdeputyenergyminister,currentlyheadofacompanycalledEurasia,whichhandleswatersupplyforcommunal
servicesintheregion.Svetlitskiyisaccusedoffraud.SvetlitskiywastakentoMoscowandisinLefortovo(butthereisanalternativeversiyainwhichSvetlitskiyandtheheadofanother
company,DmitriyPuzanovofABVK-EKHO,areinapre-trialdetentioncenterinRostovandtheinvestigationisheadedbytheMVD).ThechargesincludeanallegedplanbySvetlitskiy
andPuzanovtobankruptacertainfinancialinstitution(NarodniyKreditbank)andmakeoffwithdepositorsmoney.Butsomesaythattherealreasonsforhisarrestareconnectionsto
certainformer,andperhapscurrent,Moscowsiloviky.
ThearticleincludesabitonSvetlitskiybeingsuspectedofmoneylaunderinginSwitzerland(hetriedtoblameitallonVEBsVladimirDmitriyev).InRussia,hewasoneofthoseaccused
inanallegedschemetostealVEBfunds(thecasewasopenedbytheMVD,butlaterdropped)ThearticlegoesontopointoutthatSvetlitskiycouldnothavegottenawaywithsomuch
forsolongwithoutaninfluentialpatronandasitturnsout,oneoftheEurasiacompanyboardmembersinAndreyKhorev,oneoftheparticipantsintheMagnitskiyaffairandformerfirst
deputyheadofMVDEconomicSecuritySvetlitskiysarrestisasignthatKhorevsinfluenceiswaning
Comment:KhorevwaspartofanextortionschemewithpeopleinvolvedintheMagnitskiyaffair.AformerMVDcaptainwhoworkedunderhim,MaksimKaganskiy,
wasthemiddlemanintheextortionpaymentscheme.Khorevdidnotpassare-assessmentofMVDofficersandheandKaganskiylefttheministrybackin2011.Isaw
hisdepartureasrelatedtoaclanbattleovercontrollingmarketsforopening/closingcases/extortion/briberyandtaxrebateschemes,withKaganskiyafixeroffering
hisandKhorevsservicestoprospectiveclients.Seethe25January2012notesandthe6October2011notes.
KaganskiyalsoactedasafixerandintermediaryfortheDubikbrothersSergeyandNikolaypartofMedvedevslawyers/classmatesfaction.Seethenotes
from29March2012.KhorevcameupinthecontextoftheGUEBiPKscandalaswellhewasarivalofDenisSugrobov,whoeventuallywentontoheadthereorganized
MVDeconomicsecurityunit(re-namedtheChiefDirectorateforEconomicSecurityandAnti-Corruption,orGUEBiPK).FeoktistovoftheFSBUSB,whosenamehas
comeseveraltimesrecentlyinconnectionwitharrestsmadebytheFSB,wasaKhorevbackeragainstSugrobov(inthebattleovertakingchargeofMVDeconomic
security).Seethe10Junenotes.FeoktistovsbossatUSB,Korolev,wasmovedtotakeoverasheadofFSBEconomicSecurity(SEB)andFeoktistovwassaidtobein
linetotakeovertheUSB(sodoesthearrestofaKhorevprotghaveanimpactonthat?).TheUSBseemedtobemakingafullcourtpressontakingovertheSEB,but
then,somethinghappenedfromthe6Julynotes:
[http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/73735.html
Ahighly-placedFSBofficertellsNovayathatBelykhsarrestexceededtheboundsofunderstoodauthorityusually,anymovesinvolvingapersonappointedbythepresidenthavetobeclearedbythefirst
person,butinBelykhscaseeventheoperationalworkbeforethearrestwasnotclearedaheadoftimewiththepresident.InformationwasgatheredunderthecoverofgatheringmaterialonNavalniy.Thesource
tellsNovayathatformonthsnow,aconflictbetweenFSBers,ledbySergeyIvanov,andFSOpeoplewhowereheadedformallyandinformallybynowex-FSOchiefYevgeniyMurov,hasbeenunderway.The
sourcesaysthatthecreationoftheNationalGuardwasavictoryfortheFSOsideoftheconflict.Itsnotthemobthatweareafraidof,saysthesource,buteachother(Comment:Shulmansaidsomething
similarbackinthe27Maynotes).AndthereisabasisforfearthemostseriousfunctiongrantedtotheNationalGuardistheoperational-investigativefunction.TheresnoguaranteethattheNatsguardwill
notusethatfunctiontogoafterFSBpersonnelpostedtoministries,intheregions,andinmajorbanksandenterprises.TheFSOalsopostsitscadresoutsideserviceeverygovernorsoffice,forexample,has
anFSOofficerkeepingwatch,maybeasheadofthegovernorsapparatus,ormaybeasanaideortakingoverthegovernorspost(Comment:ThatsareferencetoaformerFSOman,Dyumin,takingoveras
Tulagovernor).
FSOsourcesconfirmthattheFSBclantookthecreationoftheNatsguardhard.AtthesametimetheNatsguardwasbeingcreated,therewassomelobbying(Comment:Whodidthelobbying?)tocreateanew
MinistryofStateSecurity(MGB)thatwouldincludetheFSB,theFSO,andtheSVR.Murov,however,managedtodefendtheindependenceoftheFSO.WithouttheFSO,creatinganMGBdidntmakesense.But
thewheelswerealreadyturningoncreatingtheNatsguard.TheFSBclancouldnotsitbyandwatchtheFSOgrowstronger,soablowagainstthemwasdeliveredon16MarchwhenDmitriyMikhalchenkowas
arrested.TheFSBknowsfullwellthatMurovwasMikhalchenkospatron.MurovalsosupposedlyintroducedMikhalchenkotoPutin,recommendinghimasabusinessmanwhogenerouslysupportedthe
presidentsinitiatives.Mikhalchenkowasactuallyarrestedtwicethefirsttime,theofficerheadingtheoperationcalledMurovandMikhalchenkowassubsequentlyreleased.Hewasreprimandedfordoingso
andagainarrestedMikhalchenko.Afewdayslater,theFSBreportedtoPutinaboutthearrestandtheroleoftheFSOclaninMikhalchenkosbusinessschemes.Murovsfatewaspracticallydecidedonthatvery
day.
AnotherFSBvictorywastheliquidationoftheFSKNViktorIvanovwasaheavyweightintheFSOclan.TheFSBthenmovedtogetridofFSO-connectedpeoplewithintheFSBapparatus,themostprominent
onebeingtheheadofDirectorateKofFSBEconomicSecurity(FSBSEB),ViktorVoronin(Comment:Therewasabitinthe9JunenotesthatclaimedVoroninwasclosetoViktorIvanov.Iwonderedwhetherthe
fateofIvanovwashavinganimpactonpeopleconnectedtohimlikeLarisaKalanda).VoroninsdeparturewasfollowedbymuchtalkofmoreturnoveratFSB.Butcadreturnoverhasbeendraggedoutsomesay
thattheFSBclangrewnervousandmadeafatalmistakebyarrestingBelykh.BothFSBandFSOsourcessaythattheKirovFSBoverplayeditshandandexceededitsunderstoodauthoritybymakingthearrest.
Firstofall,PutinwasnotinformedabouttheoperationalexperimentagainstBelykh.
ItcouldbethataftertheBelykharrest,anumberofchangesthatwereintheworksatFSBSEBwerehalted.IvanTkachevofthe6t hDirectorateofFSBInternalSecurity(FSBUSB)wassupposedtotakeoveras
headofDirectorateKatFSBSEB,butisnowsupposedlyslatedforthe1stdeputyspot.Thewordisthattheheadofthedirectoratewillbeitscurrent1stdeputychief,AndreyYegorov.Otherchangesthathave
beentalkedaboutwonthappen.]
Iattemptedtosumupwherewewereatinthesilovikyshakeupsinmycommentsinthe6Julynotes:
[Comment:Alright,letsseeifwecanmakesomesenseofthisOntheMGBstory,letsbackuptothenotesfrom20JunethematerialinthosenotesonforminganewMGBorMinistryforPublicSecurity
(MOB)seemedtopointtoastrengtheningofZolotovsposition,withtheNatsguardbeingusedtopurgetheoldpowerstructuresandscreenofficersforpositionsintheMGB.ThematerialfromNovayasays
thatMurovopposedtheMGBprojectandwasabletosavehisFSO,whichundercuttheMBG/MOBplan.WeusuallythinkofMurovandZolotovasallies,butoneofoursourceshadZolotovdriftingawayfrom
hisoldbossandsettingupshoponhisownasNationalGuardchief(AlekseyMakarkinclaimedinthe2JunenotesthatMurovsdeparturewasavictoryforZolotovasMurovwasreplacedbyKochnev,aman
fromtheservicethatZolotovhadheaded,thePresidentialSecurityService.OnereasonIvehadZolotovasabigwinner,bigenoughtoreallyupsetthebalanceamongthesiloviky,isthatsomeofoursources,
Makarkinwasone,havesaidthatPutinisntusingtheFSOasawholeforacadresreserve,hesusingtheZolotov-connectedPresidentialSecurityServiceforthat),somaybehesupportedtheMGB/MOB
operation.
Nevertheless,Murovisgonesowhatkindofcloutdoeshehavenowthatcouldpreventthemergergoingforward?ItwouldmakesensethatiftheendgamewasaMGB/MOBstaffedwithpeoplescreenedby
ZolotovthattheFSBandBortnikovwouldopposeit.WhileMurovsleavingmayatleasthavenotbeenopposedbyZolotov,maybethatretirementandthedeep-sixingoftheMGB/MOBprojectwascompensation
totheFSBforthecreationoftheNatsguard,whichpracticallyallofoursourceshaveseenasamovethatweakenstheFSB.Ofcourse,thatdoesnotmeanthatPutinisntinfavorofapurgeandvettingofthe
powerstructures,aprocessthatmightbesupervisedbyZolotov.Wellhavetowaitandseeaboutthat.IsuspectitwonthappenthatPutinwillholdback.Thereareplentyofotherswhomightopposesucha
super-concentrationofpowerintheNatsguardandIvewrittenthatmovesmeanttopreventapalacecoupcouldbackfireifthereisaperceptionthatoneplayerisgettingtoostrong.
IvewrittenonMikhalchenkosarrestlikelybeingasignthatMurovwasweakened(Seethe21and31Marchnotes).Mikhalchenkoalsoturnedupinthe30Marchand26,27,and31Mayand7,9,and10
Junenotes.Abitinthe9JunenotesfromKommersanthadVoroninasclosetoMikhalchenko(AndwesawaclaiminthosesamenotesthatRomodanovskiyofthenow-defunctFMSwasaprotgofVIvanovas
well).TherewassomeconfusionaboutMikhalchenkoskryshainthe9and10Junenotes,IwentoverapiececlaimingthatMikhalchenkowasinvolvedinthekillingofRomanTsepovinSt.Petersburg
backin2004.Inthatscenario,MikhalchenkowasconnectedtotheFSB,whileTsepovwasclosetotheFSOpeople,especiallyZolotov,andthe(reportedly)ViktorIvanov-connectedRomodanovskiy,who,like
Zolotov,attendedTsepovsfuneral.
BothTsepovandMikhalchenkohadawebofconnectionstovariouspowerdepartments.ButTsepovstieswerestrongestwithFSOpeople,apparently.Connectionschangeovertimeandoverlap.Upuntil
early2004,BortnikovwasinSt.PetersburgmaybeheandMikhalchenkoestablishedafirmrelationship,whileMikhalchnekoalsohadsomelinesouttotheFSOpeople.Couldbethatare-alignmentof
kryshastookplacesometimeafterTsepovsmurderandMikhalchenkossteppingintotakeoverTsepovsnicheintheNorthernCapital.Anothercomplicatingfactorasmentionedabove,Romodanovskiy
wenttoTsepovsfuneral.Butabitinthe9JunenotessaidhewasclosetoMikhalchenkoandcouldbeimplicatedinthecaseagainsthim.
OnTkachevheisfromtheFSBUSB.HewassupposedtotakeoveratFSBSEB(See,forinstance,the10Junenotes).SeemycommentsaboveaboutOrlovastakeontheFSBUSBbeinginZolotovssphere
ofinfluence.Yakovlev,whowassaidtobeaBortnikovprotg,wasreportedlyreplacedatFSBSEBbyInternalSecuritysKorolev.DidKorolevinfactgetthejob?Abitinthe14Junenotesclaimedthathehad
alreadytakenoverasheadofFSBSEB.ThatsamebitsaidthatKorolevwasresponsibleforthecriminalcasethatcosttheFSBSEBsheadofDirectorateK,ViktorVoronin,hispost,aswellasheadofFSB
SEBYakovlevlosinghis.Morechangesweresupposedlyontheway,butNovayaclaimstheywonthappen.Sothemaneuveringiscontinuing.]
WhileImatit,IllbackuptoaNovember2014summationoftheGUEBiPKscandalIincludedinthe29Marchnotes:
[Comment:ReaderswillrecalltheGUEBiPKscandal,whichIfollowedforsometimeinthesenotes.Isummarizedthescandaluptothatpointinthe11November2014notes.RecallaswellthatKolesnikov
diedunderhighlyquestionablecircumstanceswhileincustody.
Fromthe11November2014notes:
[Comment:Thelastupdatewasbackon2October.RecallthattheInvestigativeCommittee(SK)wasgoingtoagainreviewthecircumstancesofKolesnikovsdeath.Welearnedofdubiousoperationsinvolving
theMVDsMainDirectorateforEconomicSecurityandAnti-Corruption(GUEBiPK)andVEB.TheGUEBiPKscandalappearstohavebeensetoffbyaclashbetweenMVDeconomicsecurityontheonehand
(WithperhapssomehelpfromsomeelementsintheProsecutorsoffice)anditsFSBcounterpart(withhelpfromtheInvestigativeCommitteetheSK)overcontrollingmoneylaunderingchannels.Thebattle
waskickedoffinthesummerof2013withaseriesofraidsonbanksbytheMVD.ThebattlealsoreportedlyhasinvolvedalliesofformereconomicsecuritybossKhorev(whowasreplacedbyDenisSugrobov)
andhiscloseassociateMaksimKaganskiy,seekingrevengeagainstSugrobov(Seethe3Augustnotes).
SomehavecastthescandalasanattackonMVDchiefKolokoltsevandonPutinadvisorYevgeniyShkolov(Oncethescandalbroke,itsquitelikelythatrivalsilovikyclanshavebeenusingitasameansof
settlingscoresunrelatedtotheoriginalbattleovermoneylaunderingchannels).ThelastwereadwasthatPutinsformerpresidentialsecuritychief,Zolotov,whohadbeensenttotheMVDandmadeheadof
theInternalTroops,wouldbeelevatedtoheadtheministry(Seethenotesfrom30October).Meanwhile,anumberofcasesinvolvingtheGUEBiPKhavebeenunderreviewandareunraveling,asagentsused
byGUEBiPKchiefSugrobovspeopleweretargetedforframingtheirvictims(theformalaccusationinthecaseisoftheGUEBiPKpeopleformingacriminalcommunitytocarryouttheirframeups).Some
investigatorsinthosecasesresigned.SugrobovsandKolesnikovspropertywasarrested.AnumberofGUEBiPKpeopleimplicatedinthecriminalcasehavesignedagreementswiththeinvestigationandare
cooperating.]
MorefromOrlova
http://www.theamericaninterest.com/2016/07/14/thefsbgoesafteranamericancompany/
InthelatesttwistintheevolvingdramawehavebeencloselyfollowinghereatTAI,RussiansecurityservicescameafteranAmericancompanyAmwayinMoscow.FSBofficers,accompaniedbyFederal
TaxServiceagents,searchedbothAmwaysofficeintheRussiancapital,aswellasitswarehousesinthesurroundingMoscowregion,RBCreports,citingastatementfromthecompany.
ThesearcheswereconductedbytheEconomicSecurityServiceoftheFSBsixdaysafterVladimirPutinhadappointedthenewheadoftheService.SergeyKovalevreplacedYuryYakovlevafteraharshfight
betweenthetwodepartmentsinsidetheFSB:DirectorateK,adepartmentintheEconomicSecurityService(SEB),andthe6thService,adivisionoftheInteriorSecurityDepartment(USB).
The6thService,asecretivedepartmentinsidetheFSBknownastheGestapofortheharshtacticsitemploysasanunofficialinternalintelligenceagency,beganitswarwithDirectorateKforcontrolover
thefinancialsectorinRussiaarounda1218monthsago.(DirectorateKisthewatchdogresponsibleforallfinancialandbankoperationsinthecountry.)The6thServiceissaidtohaveboththeprotection
andtheblessingofGeneralViktorZolotov,PutinslongtimeheadofsecuritywhowasrecentlyappointedtoleadthenewlyformedNationalGuard.
Thefighthasthusfarresultedinmuchcollateraldamage:attheveryleastthreegovernorshavebeenarrested,severalbusinesseshavebeenlost,andtherehavebeentwomajorresignations.InMayofthis
year,theHeadofDirectorateK,ViktorVoronin,sentinhisresignationletterafterhissubordinatewasimplicatedinabriberyscandaluncoveredbyanauditinitiatedbythe6thService.AsRBCnotes,
VoroninsbossattheFSBsEconomicSecurityService,YuryYakovlev,wasnudgedtoresigninJune,buthedeclinedtodothat.Thisresultedinasecondaudit,alsoinitiatedbythe6thService,whichfinally
madeYakovlevfilehisresignationpapers.
ThenewheadofDirectorateKhasnotyetbeenappointed.Sourcessayitwillbethecurrentchiefofthe6thService,IvanTkachev,themanwhobroughtdownGeneralDenisSugrobov,theheadofthe
EconomicalSecurityandAnticorruptionDepartmentoftheInteriorMinistry,aswellashisdeputyGeneralBorisKolesnikov,in2014.Sugrobovisnowinjailawaitingtrial,andKolesnikovfelloutofa
windowoftheInvestigativeCommitteeheadquartersinMoscowundersuspiciouscircumstances.Comment:SoOrlovadoesntknowabouttheclaimthatTkachevwasblockedfrom
takingtheDirectorateKjob.
Yetlessthanaweekafterasuccessfulandlongawaitedcareertransition,KovalevstruckatanAmericanbusinessinRussia.AstheAmwaysPRdirectortoldthepress,thereasonforthesearcheswas
neverexplainedtothecompany.Thesilovikionlyshowedawarrantandstartedtakingdocumentsaway.
Theepisodeiseerilyreminiscentofthewhathappenedin2007toHermitageCapital,WilliamBrowdersMoscowbasedinvestmentfund.Thoseraidsresultedina$230milliontaxtheft,thedeathof
HermitageslawyerjailedSergeyMagnitsky,andtheenactmentoftheMagnitskyActbytheUnitedStates.ItdoesntseemlikemuchofacoincidencethatDirectorateKwasresponsibleforissuingthelegal
findingsthatseveralcompaniesbelongingtoHermitageCapitalwereunderpayingtheirtaxeswhichtriggeredtheraids.
Foundedin1959,Amway,whichisnowpartofAlticorholdings,manufacturesconsumernutrition,beautyandhomecareproducts.AmwayisrankedNo.30amongthelargestprivatelyheldcompaniesin
theUnitedStatesbyForbes.ItssalesinRussiafor2014exceeded18billionrubles($270million).
EarlierinApril,theFSBalsosearchedtheofficesofOriflame,anotherforeigncosmeticscompanyoperatinginRussia.TheFederalTaxServiceclaimeditsuspectedtheSwedishcompanyoftaxevasion.
Aswehavebeenwriting,theshrinkingofRussiaseconomy,coupledwiththesignificantenlargementofthemilitaryandintelligenceservicesledtothesilovikishakingdownmoreandmorebusinessesin
Russia.Foreignersareclearlynolongerexempt.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/the-tale-behind-the-arrest-of-russias-most-notorious-crime-boss/574964.html
InteriorMinistryShakroMolodoi
WhenitopenedinJuly2015,theElementsKoreanrestaurantincentralMoscowgotgoodreviewsbothforfoodanddesign.Butthat'snotwhattherestaurantisfamousfor.
Twowomentherestaurantownerandadesignershehiredtorenovateandfurnishitdisagreedoverpaymentafterthedesignerfailedtomeettheagreeddeadline.Aswasreportedatthattime,therestaurant
ownerZhannaKimrefusedtopaythedesignerthe2millionrubles($30,000)shewasowedfordesigningtherestaurant.
WhatstartedasausualfinancialdisagreementledtooneofthemostnotoriousarmedfightsincentralMoscowsincethe1990sandtothearrestofoneofRussiasmostnotoriouscriminalsthief-in-law
ZakharyKalashovbetterknownbythepseudonymShakroMolodoi.
OnDec.15,2015,around20armedmenoccupiedthebeautifulroomsintheElementsrestaurant.Everyoneshutup,nooneleavesthebuildinguntilwemakeadeal,ZhannaKim,atrendsetter,asocialiteandthe
restaurantowner,laterrecalledinvariousinterviews.
Itwasashakedown,shesaid.Aswasreportedlater,FatimaMisikova,thedesigner,hadreassignedthedebtthatKimstillowedhertomobsterAndreiKochuikov,knownasTheItalianandahigh-ranking
memberofShakrosgang.
Whathappenedlaterreceivedextensivepresscoverage.TheItalianshowedupwithasimplemessage:ifthedebtisnotpaid,hewouldtakeovertherestaurant.ZhannaKimrefusedtopayhim.
ShecalledthepoliceandherlawyerretiredInteriorMinistryColonelEduardBudantsev,reportedlyconnectedtolawenforcementaswellastheTaganskayacrimegroupandnowalawyerengagedindebt
collection.
AlwaysarmedwithaBerettathatwaspersonallyawardedtohimbytheinteriorminister,hearrivedquicklywithhissupportersanddemandedthattheunwantedguestsleaveatonce.
AccordingtotheKommersantnewspaper,TheItaliantoldBudantsev,thathewassanctionedtomilkthiscowbyShakro.HethenaskedifBudantsevhadanyrespectforthelawofthievesand,afterhearingan
emotionalNo,TheItalianorderedhissubordinatestopackthebaldone[Budantsev]intothecar.
Inthefightthatfollowedoutsidetherestauranttwomenwereshotdeadandseveralwerewounded.Accordingtosomereports,Shakroalsowasatthescene,buthisnamelaterdisappearedfrominteriorministry
documents.
YouTube/Instagram/modifiedbyMT
LR:ShakroMolodoi,ZhannaKimandEduardBudantsev
Halfayearlater,aFederalSecurityService(FSB)squadraidedShakrosmansioninanupmarketareanearMoscow.AvideoreleasedbytheInteriorMinistryshowshisguardsonthegroundwiththeirarmson
theirheads.ThevideoshowsShakroonachairinwhatlookslikethekitchen.
Iwillnottalkinfrontofthecamera,areyoukiddingme?Dontmakeashowoutofit.Turnoffthecameraandwelltalk,hesays.
Itsnotashow,weneedit,theofficersvoiceisheardanswering.
ThecriminalmastermindwaslaterbroughttotheMoscowCentralInvestigationDepartmentwherehewasquestioned,theministryreported.
ShakrowillbeaccusedoforganizingextortionfromtheElementsrestaurantowner,whohadalreadyfiledacomplaint,accordingtotheInterfaxnewsagency.
Shakro,awell-knownRussianmobboss,re-emergedonRussiascriminalscenein2014afterservingan8-yearprisonterminSpainwherehewasconvictedofmoney-launderingandmastermindingcriminal
organizations.
Hewasalsosentencedinabsentiato18yearsinprisonformurderinGeorgia,andGeorgiahasrepeatedlyrequestedthatShakrobeextradited,Gazeta.rureported.AfteranotherfamousmobsterAslanUsoyanwas
killedbyasniperinthecenterofMoscowin2013,ShakrohasbeenregardedasanewleaderofRussiascrimeworld.
ItispersonalforShakro,hisaccomplicewasquotedassayingbyanunnamedsourcewithinlawenforcement.Heintervenedintheconflictbetweentwoladiesathisfriendsrequest.Nobodyknewthere
wouldbeproblems,butinsuchcasessomethingcanalwaysgowrong,thesourcetoldtheMoskovskyKomsomoletsnewspaper.
Doyouconsideryourselfathief-in-law?Shakroisaskedinthevideo.Herefusestoanswerinfrontofthecamera.Butheonceansweredthesamequestionduringaconversationwithlawenforcementwhenhe
camebacktoRussiain2014.Theycallmethat,heanswered,smiling.
ARosbaltreporthastheFSBSEBsDirectorateMmakingthearrest:http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2016/07/12/1531031.html
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-government-presents-rosneft-privatization-guidelines/575305.html
TheRussiangovernmenthasannouncedthecriteriaforpurchasingprivatesharesofstate-ownedoilcompanyRosneft,theVedomostibusinessdailyreportedFriday.
Thegovernmentisselling19.5percentofRosneft'stotalshares,andhopestomakeatleast700billionrubles($11billion).ThisispartofRussia'slargestprivatizationschemesincethe1990s,
withtheRussiangovernmentreluctantlysellingassetsduringadeepeconomicrecession.
PurchasersofRosneft'sprivatestakewillbesubjecttoseveralrequirements.First,anysharepackagepurchasedmustbeheldforatleastthreeyears,topreventshort-terminvesting.
Second,investorswillberequiredtosignashareholder'sagreementthatobligesthemtovoteinfavorofanygovernmentmemberwhoappliesforaseatonRosneft'sboardofdirectors.
Third,aninvestorisrequiredtobefreeofdebtandwithacleanrecordofcorruption.Ifpotentialinvestorsholddebt,theymustpresentaplanfordebtconsolidation.
ApreliminarylistofcandidatesforpurchaseofthesharesmustbesubmittedtothegovernmentbySept.1.Thesuccessfulprivatizationofoilassetsisnotguaranteed,andifthepriceofcrudeoil
climbs,analystssayprospectsofsalearedim.
ThefirstsaleofRussia'snewprivatizationcampaignwasconcludedthisweekwhena10.9percentstakeintheworld'slargestdiamondminer,Alrosa,wassoldfor52.2billionrubles($816
million).Theshareswentfor65rubles($1.01)each.Seethe11Julynotes.
UnderPresidentVladimirPutin,theRussiangovernment'sstakeintheeconomyhasincreaseddramatically,toashighas55percentin2015.Whenaskedwhythestateislookingtosellassets,
Putinreplied:Weneedthemoney.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/defense-minister-over-2000-islamic-state-militants-from-russia-killed-in-syria/575302.html
Morethan2,000militantswhotraveledfromRussiatojoinIslamicStatewerekilledbyRussianarmedforcesoperatinginSyria,DefenseMinisterSergeiShoigusaid,theDozhdnewsagency
reportedFriday.
Thetargetedterrorists,with17warlordsamongthem,werepromulgatingradicalIslamandplottingtobringjihadtoRussia,Shoigusaid.
WithhelpfromtheRussianairforce,Syriantroopsmanagedtoclearmorethan12,000squarekilometersand150townsfromislamistmilitants.Atotalof586settlementswereliberated,which
allowedmorethan264,000refugeestoreturntotheirhomes,Shoigusaid.
Accordingtothedefenseminister,moremilitaryconflictsarelikelytoeruptinnearfuture,giventhecurrentdevelopmentofevents,theInterfaxnewsagencyreported.
CrisissituationssimilartotheoneinSyriamightbeprovokedinCentralAsia,andRussiawillbeforcedtoadequatelyrespondtopotentialthreats,ShoiguwasquotedassayingbyInterfax.
PresidentofRussiaVladimirPutin:LastnightweallheardaboutanotheroutrageousterroristattackinFrance.IunderstandthatthePresidentandmanyofFrancesleadersaretoobusynowfortelephone
conversations.Therefore,IwouldliketoaddressMrPresidentpublicly.
DearFrancois,
Russiaknowsterrorismandthethreatitcreatesforusall.Ourpeoplehavehadtodealwithsimilartragediesmanytimes,andwearedeeplydistressedatthenews.Wewouldliketoexpressoursympathy
andsolidaritywiththeFrenchnation.
ThecriminalactinNicethatresultedindeathandinjury,includingamongRussiancitizens,wascommittedwithextremeatrocityandcynicism.
Iwouldliketostressagainthatonlythroughaunitedeffortcanwedefeatterrorism.
MrPresident,Ikindlyaskyoutopassonmywordsofmostsinceresympathyandsupporttothevictimsfamiliesandfriends,andwishesforaspeedyrecoverytotheinjured.
PutinmeetswithKerry
PresidentofRussiaVladimirPutin:MrSecretary,colleagues,letmewelcomeyoutoMoscowonceagain.
Iwouldliketonoteourmutualeffortstosettleconflictsthatweconsiderimportantandthatmustberesolved.
MylatestconversationwithPresidentObamaconvincedmethatwearesincerelystrivingnotonlytomaintainanddevelopourcooperationbutalsotoachievepositiveresults.
Ihopeyouwillreporttohimandpleasesendhimmybestregardsthatduringourconsultationstodaywealsomadeheadwayindiscussingandresolvingtheissueswearemeeting
toaddress.
UnitedStatesSecretaryofStateJohnKerry:Well,MrPresident,thankyouverymuchfortakingtime.Iappreciatetheopportunitytobeabletomeet.PresidentObamasendsyouhisregards.He
thoughtitwasaconstructiveconversation,andhopefullywewillbeabletomakesomegenuineprogressthatismeasurableandimplementable,andthatcanmakeadifferencetothecourse
ofeventsinSyria.SoIlookforwardverymuchtoaseriousconversationthiseveningandagaintomorrowwithSergei.Wehavealotofworktodo.
ThePresidentandIbothbelieve,MrPresident,thattheUnitedStatesandRussiaareinapositiontomakeanenormousdifferenceinthecourseofevents,notjustinSyriabutobviously
inUkraineandeveninotherpotentialareasofcooperation.Andsoweareanxioustogettowork.Wehavedonealotofgroundworkbutwerenotwhereweneedtobeyetandwehopetobeable
togetthere.
SoImreadytowork.Iknowyouare.Letsgo.
VladimirPutin:PresidentObamadrewmyattentiontothefactthatwehelpedinthereleaseofoneofyourcitizens.Iwouldliketosaythatwecontinueworkinginthisareaatyourrequest
andalsohopetheUSsidewillreciprocatewithconstructiveeffortsifneedbe.
Comment:StrelkovhasbeengoingafterPutinforawhilenow,claimingtheKremliniscapableonlyofhalfmeasuresandthePutincrowdonlyknowshowtosteal.The
thingtodoisforthepatriotstowaitfortheregimetostartfallingapartandthenstepintopickupthepieces.See,forinstance,thenotesfrom3and7Juneandfrom25
May.
MorefromStrelkov:
http://novorossia.pro/strelkov/2143-igor-strelkov-situaciya-i-perspektivy.html
Fromthepointofviewofapatriotthereisnopositiveforecast.Putinandhisteamaredeterminedtosurrender,buttheWestwillneverpermitRussiaanhonorablecapitulation.Thereis
nosentimentalitythereitwantsonlytodestroytheweakandcutoffheads,especiallywhenthesearestupidandcowardly(Comment:TheimplicationhereisPutin&Co.).Theres
acrisisintheWestitneedsRussiasresources.ItwilldestabilizeRussia.ThentheAnglo-SaxonswillgoaftertheEUtoo,butalittlelater.
RussiasawkwardandindecisiveconducttowardsUkrainewasaservice(knowinglyorthroughincrediblestupidityisworthyofdebate)totheinternationaloligarchywiththeUSinthe
lead.Itcreatedaconvenientscarecrow.Itmissedachancetocreaterealsovereigntyin2014.
Toemployacriminalallegory:theRFhasworthlessrulerswhofoundathiefintheirowngarden(Comment:UkraineIthink)andinsteadofkickingthethiefout,madeloudnoisesand
thenstartedwhiningtothedearWesternpartnersaboutitsgunsetc.ButtheKremlinwillnotuseitsgunsitwillsurrender.
TheKremlinisnothinglessthanacowardlybunchofimpotenthedonistsseededwithWesternagents.Soinsteadofaradicalchangeofcourse(thatthesituationrequires),wehavewhat
wehave.Thiswasthemistakeofthepatriotsin2014tobelievethatsuchachangewaspossible,arealconfrontationwiththeworldhegemon.WethoughtPutinwouldunderstandthe
irreversibilityofhisstep.Buthedidnt.Strelkovstatesthathesashamedtoadmitit,buthethoughtPutinwassmarter.
Wehaveacompletelyossifiedbureaucratic-oligarchicregimeincapableofreformingitself.Itsinastateofshockbyitsexclusionfromtheworldcommunity.Theycantimagineanything
elsebesidesit.
Butwedohaveasplit:thoseclosesttotheWestarereadyforsurrenderatanyprice.Ontheotherhand,therearethosewhounderstandthattolosepoweroverthecountrycouldleadto
lossoflife.Buttheyarepowerlessontheirown.Anewnobilityincapableofindependentaction.ThisistheresultofPutinspersonnelpolicy.Incontrasttothesurrendercrowd,theyare
inarealpanic,becausetheyremainloyaltoPutin.
Comment:StrelkovfollowswitharealsmackatPutinoverhisappearancelikealittle8yearoldschoolboycaughtstealingwiththeSwisspresidentin2014.
WhathasPutindonesubsequently?StolenpagesfromtheMilosevicplaybook,undertheguiseofmakingeveryonehappy.HeshandedovereverythingtotheOstapBenderofourdays,
oneSurkov.HestryingtotradeDonbassforCrimeaandforgiveness.UndertheguiseofhavingleverageoverKiev.TheproblemistheWestwillnotagree.ButSurkovbeingamember
ofthe1s testate,aka5thcolumn,hasmaneuveredPutinintotakingresponsibilityfortheMinskagreements.Obamahashisownideasonthisscore.
AtfirsttheWestwasdumbfoundedbecauseitlookedasifPutinhadtakenanirrevocablestep.Itexpecteddecisiveaction,acompleteturnaboutindomesticandeconomicpolicy
includingtheOprichnina.ButthesedidnotmaterializeinsteadPutinimitatedSaddamandKuwait.ThismadetheWesthappy.Ithasplanstodealwiththisturnofaffairs.Butfaced
withadeadend,theKremlintriedtheSyrianadventure,onethatitdoesntneedandonewhereitcantsucceed.ThemajoritySunnipopulationandtheoppositionofallthesurrounding
statesmakesvictoryimpossible.RevealingthestupidityofPutinandhisentourage,itwentforththinkingtheWestwouldforgiveallinexchangeforthefightagainstISIS(heclaimshegot
thisfromonewell-informedperson).Whenthisforgivenesswasnotforthcoming,PutinbackedAssad.TheWestisseeminglyopposedbutreallyOKwiththisbecauseitenhancesthe
prospectsforoverthrowingthePutinregime,itsrealgoal.PutinsonlysmartmovewasthepartialwithdrawalinMarchbecauseitwascleartheWestwouldnotbendonUkraineandthat
hecantwininSyria.Buthereallydidntdoitandisnowstuckinaswamp.
Sowhataretheresults:twohopelesswars,onewecantwintheotherwewillnotwin.TheKremlinchickenedoutandmadeitadraw.MaybeIwillbearrestedorkilled(butnotover
theweekend)?
Senttime: 06/13/201608:01:40AM
To: PeterReddaway<pbreddaway@gmail.com>RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: RE:InternetNotes10June2016
Peter,letmeknowwhenyourpaperispublished.Itsliketoreaditandcanreferenceitinthenotes.
H
iWayneandBob,
Bob.
Eksport).
Yours,
Peter
RussiasBraindrain.6
Phandlesindustrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,includingRussianRailwaysandaviation.Theheadof
FSBSEB,YuriYakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutaswell.RosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessorforYakovlevat
FSBSEBistheFSBsheadoftheinternalsecuritydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbereplacedbyhis
deputy,OlegFeoktistov.TheFSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
informationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVD
himin2011,urginghimtoestablishrelationswithonetime1stDeputyHeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev(Feoktistovclaimed
thatKhorev,implicatedinthetax-rebateschemesthatinvolvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiyaffair[See,forinstance,
the20March2012notes],wassettobecomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,andwouldagreeto
nameSugrobovhisdeputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:WehadreadthatpartofthestruggleinvolvingtheGUEBiPKwas
betweensupportersofKhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanevwroteonthetiesbetweenFeoktistov
andKhorevbackin2011:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).Sugrobovendsbysayingheiswillingtotakeapolygraphtest
andcallsonPutintomakesuretheinvestigationsofthechargesagainsthimandhissubordinatesareobjective:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=700657453313675&set=pcb.700658349980252&type=1&theater]
fromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwas
alsoarrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhileincustody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevs
targetoftheFSB.
oversteppinginpresentinghimselfasaDeripaska(withoutDsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateofYukos
butheresanimportantpoint:DeripaskawassupposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.AndZolotov
wasaclosefriendofTsepovs.SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspectforusinghis
May.

RussiasBraindrain
Tuesday.
powers/571816.html
reported.
patterns.
Senttime: 06/04/201601:52:12AM
To: nathanielreynolds<naterey80@gmail.com>
Subject: Re:TheInimitableViktorVoroninGoesacctoRBK(seenovayapiecesentthismorning:))wasclosetoViktorIvanov
Itsalsoillustrativeoftheclan/faction/groupwhatevernatureoftheseallegedinstitutions,inthiscasetheFSB.
VoroninhaditinforNovaya(seebelow)andithaditinforhim.ThiswasevidentintheMagnitskiyaffair,butnotonly.
HeresapassagefromoneofthegreattakedownsofthelastdecadeentitledRussoChekisto,aboutFSBofficerFrolovs(adeputyat
VoroninsDirectorateK)castleoffthecoastofItaly
.
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AmongthefolkswhotookdownMagin?TheGUEBiPKgangwithSugrobovatitsheadwhichleddirectlytothescandalofthesame
name.moreatworkonMonday.
AlsonotethatwhenVoroninwasattheFSKN,hisboss(atleastnominally)wasCherkesovandViktorwasahighflyingPAofficial(now
theresaverticalforya).
OnJun3,2016,at3:31PM,nathanielreynolds<naterey80@gmail.com>wrote:
Thanks,givesalotofcredencetotheNovayapiece.TheIvanovconnectionisinterestingtoo.
2016-06-0315:11GMT-04:00RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>:
http://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/06/2016/57501d0c9a7947cfd3b27bd0?from=main

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:szfo.fskn.gov.ru
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Senttime: 06/10/201603:29:51PM
MikhalchenkoandtheTsepovmurder?
RussiasBraindrain
Theheads(nonamesgiven)oftheFSBsDirectoratesPandThaveresigned.Thosetwodirectorates,alongwithK,whose
head,ViktorVoronin,hasalsoresigned,formthebackboneoftheFSBsEconomicSecurityService(SEB).DirectoratePhandles
industrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,includingRussianRailwaysandaviation.TheheadofFSBSEB,Yuri
Yakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutaswell.RosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessorforYakovlevatFSBSEBisthe
FSBsheadoftheinternalsecuritydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbereplacedbyhisdeputy,Oleg
Feoktistov.TheFSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
Comment:IwonderwhetherthepeopleatDirectoratesPandTwerealsoconnectedtoViktorIvanov,asVoroninand
Romodanovskiywere.Seeyesterdaysnotes.True,bothwerealsosupposedlylinkedtoMikhalchenko,aswas
Murov,butclanlinestendtooverlapandthekeyplayersallknowoneanother.ItcouldbethatIvanovsdeparture,
asIsuggestedyesterday,wasthebeginningoftheunravellingofhisclannetworkwithinthespecialservicesandin
otherkeyareasaswellsuchasLarisaKalandaleavingherpostsatRosneft/Rosneftegaz.Mikhalchenkosname
couldbedroppedasapretexttogoafterIvanovspeople.
informationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVDDepartment
forEconomicSecurity(nowtheGUEBiPK):http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/63516.html
corruptioncampaign).SugrobovalsodeniesthatheismarriedtoPresidentialAideKonstantinChuiychenkoswifessisterorthathehasbenefited
fromChuiychenkospatronage(asanumberofoursourceshavereported).HefurtherclaimsthatFSBGeneralFeoktistovapproachedhimin2011,
urginghimtoestablishrelationswithonetime1stDeputyHeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev(FeoktistovclaimedthatKhorev,
implicatedinthetax-rebateschemesthatinvolvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiyaffair[See,forinstance,the20March2012
notes],wassettobecomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,andwouldagreetonameSugrobovhis
deputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:WehadreadthatpartofthestruggleinvolvingtheGUEBiPKwasbetweensupportersof
KhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanevwroteonthetiesbetweenFeoktistovandKhorevbackin2011:
http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).SugrobovendsbysayingheiswillingtotakeapolygraphtestandcallsonPutintomakesure
theinvestigationsofthechargesagainsthimandhissubordinatesareobjective:http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
Comment:Foranyofthattomakesense,readerswillhavetoreferbacktosummationoftheGUEBiPKscandal(up
tothatpoint)Iincludedinthe31Marchnotes.TheGUEBiPKsSugrobovwasconnectedbyoursourcesto
claimsthatchargesagainstVoroninhavetodowithKsinvolvementinthecaseagainsttheMVDseconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,the
GUEBiPK,acaseinwhichtheformerheadofthatunit,DenisSugrobov,wasarrestedandstillawaitstrialoncorruptionchargesstemmingfrom
claimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwasalso
arrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhileincustody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevs
Comment:IrecentlycoveredPutinsconnectionstoorganizedcrimeinSt.Petersburg,connectionsthatincludedTsepov,inthe30Marchnotes.
Brieflyput,Tsepovwasaracketeerandonetimeall-aroundfixerandbodyguardforMayorSobchakinSt.Petersburg.Tsepovwastheco-
founder,alongwithPutinbodyguardViktorZolotov,ofaSt.Petersburgsecurityfirm,BalticEksport.Tsepovapparentlytriedtoinsinuate
Thisitem(http://putinism.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/roma_tsepov/#more-146),anupdatetoanearlierarticleonPutinandTsepov,claimsthatFSB
agentDmitriyMikhachenkokilledTsepovwithpolonium-poisonedteaattheSt.PetersburgFSBoffice.Mikhalchenkosubsequentlytookover
Tsepovsbusinesses.ZolotovhadbeenTsepovspatron,butMikhalchenkohadtheFSBsBortnikovasakrysha.Thus,ZolotovandBortnikov
havelongbeenenemiesNemtsovwaskilledbyKadyrovandZolotov,theinvestigationconductedunderBortnikov.
targetoftheFSB.
Thatsaid,ifMikhalchenkowasinvolved,wehaveareasontothinktheresenmitybetweenMikhalchenkoandZolotov(andmaybeMurov,toosinceheseemsto
betheMikhalchenkokryshanow)..andZolotovandBortnikov?
assassination,withheandSechinusingMikhalchenkoaspartoftheplantogetridofTsepov.Tsepovwasconnected
withalltheSt.Petersburgsiloviky,buthisstrongerconnectionswerewiththeMVDandFSO,Mikhalchenkos
supposedlywiththeFSB,asintheitemabove.
MikhalchenkotookoverTsepovsnicheinSt.PetersburgafterTsepovsdeath.Inthosenotes,IhadSechin,Kumarin
andtheiralliesintheFSBkillingTsepovbecausehetriedtoinsinuatehimselfintotheYukosaffairandrepresenteda
roadblocktoKumarinsfriendMikhalchenkosambitiontotakeoverTsepovssecuritybusiness/fixerroleinSt.
Petersburg.IhadalsosuspectedDeripaska,whomayhavebeenirritatedbyTsepovsreportedoversteppingin
presentinghimselfasaDeripaska(withoutDsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateofYukosbutheresan
importantpoint:DeripaskawassupposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.AndZolotovwasaclose
friendofTsepovs.SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspectforusinghisFSB
connectionsandMikhalchenkotokillTsepov.
asMikhalchenkospatronandkrysha.Thingscanchange,ofcoursemaybeMikhalchenkosFSBconnectionswere
topeopleclosertoPatrushevthanthemanwhowouldsucceedhimatFSB,Bortnikov,andare-alignmenttookplace
afteranumberofchangesinthepowerblockandafterMikhalchenkohadestablishedhimselfasTsepovs
waspleasedtoreplacehimwithhisownman,Kochnev,asheadoftheFSO.See,forinstance,thenotesfrom27May.
resultedinscandalsandcriminalcases.RosbaltssourcessayitstheFSBUSBsboss,Korolev,whowilltakeoveratFSBSEB.
Hisdeputy,OlegFeoktistov,willtakeoveratUSB,andIvanTkachevofFSBUSBwilltakeoverDirectorateK.Whenthenhead
ofFSBUSB,AleksandrKupryazhkin,waspromotedtoFSBdeputydirectorin2011,Feoktistovwassupposedtobehis
replacement,butSergeyKorolev,acomradeofAnatoliySerdyukovs,gotthenodJustacoupleofyearsago,theUSBand
SEBwerefriendlyandcooperatedinthecaseagainsttheMVDGUEBiPK,butthentheUSBturneditsattentiontotheSEB.In
Februaryoflastyear,USBofficersarrestedDirectoratePsIgorKorobitsinfordemandinga$1millionbribefromtheheadof
Rosalkogolregulirovanie,IgorChuyan.Atthebeginningofthisyear,theUSBimplicatedDirectorateKsVadimUvarovinan
extortioncaseinvolvingcontrabandcellphones.Theshadowfinancialsectorhasreportedlyalreadyreactedtothepersonal
shiftsatFSBbyraisingitsrateforlegalizinglargeamountsofillicitcash(obnalichivanieorobnal)to15%...
Comment:RecallthatMedvedevwasinCrimeaandaretiredwomancomplainedaboutlowpensionsMedvedevtold
herpensionswouldbeindexedwhenpossible,butsaidtheresnomoney.Hetoldhertohanginthere.Seethe25
Maynotes.HisremarksweremockedaroundtheRunet.PutinsaidthatmaybeMedvedevscommentshadbeentakenout
ofcontext:http://www.newsru.com/russia/28may2016/hold_on.htmlAndthatthegovernmentwaspayingmoreattentionto
fulfillingsocialobligationsanyway,alotofcountrieswerehavingproblemswithpensions
RussiasBraindrain
Tuesday.
Thosewishingtomovesaidthattheyweremotivatedbymorefavorableconditionsfordevelopingprivatebusinesses,betterprospectsof
findinginvestors,andahigherqualityoflife.
powers/571816.html
TheAJustRussiapartypresentedtheinitiative,andconcludedthatPonomarevhasnotcometotheDumaintwoyears,hasnotbeen
workingwithconstituents,andhasnotbeencommunicatingwiththeparty.Ponomarevrefutestheseclaims,Vedomostireported.
In2015theDumastrippedhimofparliamentaryimmunity,chargedandarrestedhiminabsentiafortheembezzlementof$750,000from
thestate-fundedscientificandtechnologicalSkolkovoFoundation.PonomarevhadworkedwithSkolkovoasalecturer,andin2011-12
hemanagedpartofthefoundationsprojectswhileworkingcloselywiththen-PresidentDmitryMedvedev.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-state-duma-passes-law-regulating-news-aggregators/571817.html
MembersoftheRussianStateDumaonFridayapprovedthethirdreadingofalawregulatingtheworkofnewsaggregators,theSlon.ru
newswebsitereported.Thelawreceivedunanimoussupport,with319deputiesvotingforthelawandnoneagainst.
LeadingRussiansearchengineYandexwascriticalofthebillwhenitwasfirstintroduced,sayingthatitsrequirementswereexcessive
andimpractical.Thelawrequiresaggregatorstosavetheinformationtheydisseminateforsixmonthsafterpublication.
UponinitialintroductioninFebruary,anexplanatorynoteaccompanyingthebillstatedtheneedforstricterregulationofaggregators,on
thebasisoftheiraudiencereachandabilitytoinfluenceopinion.
patterns.
TheBoardofDirectorsnotespositiveprocessofinflationstabilization,declineofinflationexpectationsandinflationrisksamidsignsof
anapproachingphaseofgrowingrecovery,thebank'sreportsaid,TASSreported.
Senttime: 06/13/201607:35:01AM
To: PeterReddaway<pbreddaway@gmail.com>RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: RE:InternetNotes10June2016
Peter,thanksforthisMikhalchenkowasarrested.Itwasreportedinthenotesfor30March.Hehascomeupinthe31March,
26,27,and31Mayandon7,9,and10June.Ireferredbacktothenotesform2007thatclaimedMikhalchenkowasinvolvedin
Tsepovsmurder.Illsearchagainandseeifanythingturnsupearlierthanthat.HeresthebitonMIkhalchenkobeingtaken
intocustodyfrom30March:
Seeyesterdaysnotes
http://en.news-4-u.ru/basmanny-court-has-arrested-billionaire-mikhalchenko-in-the-case-of-smuggling-of-elite-alcohol.html
previouslyquestionedinacriminalcaseofalcoholsmuggling,betakenintocustodyfortwomonths.JudgeAndrey
Karpovdismissedtherequestthatthebusinessmanbereleasedonbailof50millionrublesaccordingtoInterfax.
Mikhalchenkocategoricallydeniedhisinvolvementinsmugglingoranyplanstohidefromtheinvestigation.The
businessmanalsotoldthejuryaboutattemptstopressurehisbusiness,inparticulartheconstructionofadeepwater
portBronka,whichhasbeenheadedbyOOOPhoenix.
TheRussianbillionaireisaccusedofsmugglingalcoholin2015,creatinganorganizedcrimegroupthatshippedthe
alcoholfromtheportofHamburgundertheguiseofconstructionsealant.
Mikhalchenkowasaccusedofsmugglingofalcoholicbeveragesinanorganizedgroupinespeciallylargequantity
(part3ofarticle200.2oftheCriminalCode).HisDeputyBorisChorevski,DeputyDirectorofOOOLogistikCentral
Northwest,AnatolyKindzerskaya,andtheDirectorofSouth-Easttradingcompany,IlyaPichko,werealso
detained.
Accordingtosomemediareports,MikhalchenkoarrivedinMoscowonMarch28andwasdetainedthenextday.
AccordingtoFontanka.ru,thedetentiontookplaceonWednesdaymorning.Hewasdetainedbyinvestigatorsof
thecentralapparatusoftheFSBandwastakentotheInvestigativeCommittee.Hewasdetainedfortwodays...
Mikhalchenkosnamewaspreviouslymentionedinconnectionwithacaseofmulti-millionembezzlementuncovered
intheMinistryofCulture.HeistheGeneralDirectorofamanagementcompany,Forum.
OnMarch15and17,theGeneralDirectorofCJSCBaltstroy(partoftheForumholding),DmitrySergeev,and
BaltstroysAlexanderKochenovweretakenintocustodyonorderofMoscowsLefortovocourt.Theyaresuspectsin
thecaseofamultimillionembezzlementofbudgetfundsallocatedfortherestorationofanumberofculturalheritage
sites.
ThemainsuspectinthiscaseistheDeputyMinisterofCulture,GregoryPirumov.On24Marchhewascharged
withchargedwithfraud.
H
iWayneandBob,

Bob.
Eksport).
Yours,
Peter

RussiasBraindrain.6
Phandlesindustrialcounterintelligence,whileThandlestransportation,includingRussianRailwaysandaviation.Theheadof
FSBSEB,YuriYakovlev,issupposedlyonhiswayoutaswell.RosbaltssourcessaythatthelikelysuccessorforYakovlevat
FSBSEBistheFSBsheadoftheinternalsecuritydirectorate(USB)SergeyKorolev.Korolevcouldbereplacedbyhis
deputy,OlegFeoktistov.TheFSBUSBsIvanTkachevisreportedlytotakeoveratDirectorateK.
informationthatheatleastknewtheGUEBiPKagentSergeyPirozhkovdatingbackto2009,whenPirozhkovworkedinthethenMVD
himin2011,urginghimtoestablishrelationswithonetime1stDeputyHeadoftheMVDEconomicSecurityUnit,Khorev(Feoktistovclaimed
thatKhorev,implicatedinthetax-rebateschemesthatinvolvedtheTaxServiceandwereconnectedtotheMagnitskiyaffair[See,forinstance,
the20March2012notes],wassettobecomeheadofareorganizedeconomicsecurity/anti-corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,andwouldagreeto
nameSugrobovhisdeputy.ButSugrobovrefusedtogoalongComment:WehadreadthatpartofthestruggleinvolvingtheGUEBiPKwas
betweensupportersofKhorevandbackersofSugrobov.Seethe1AprilnotesNovayaGazetasKanevwroteonthetiesbetweenFeoktistov
andKhorevbackin2011:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/107/28.html).Sugrobovendsbysayingheiswillingtotakeapolygraphtest
andcallsonPutintomakesuretheinvestigationsofthechargesagainsthimandhissubordinatesareobjective:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=700657453313675&set=pcb.700658349980252&type=1&theater]
fromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwas
alsoarrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhileincustody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevs
targetoftheFSB.
oversteppinginpresentinghimselfasaDeripaska(withoutDsconsent)repinsecrettalksonthefateofYukos
butheresanimportantpoint:DeripaskawassupposedlycloseatthetimetoMurov/FSOandZolotov.AndZolotov
wasaclosefriendofTsepovs.SoitmadesensetoatthatpointhaveSechinasthestrongersuspectforusinghis
May.

RussiasBraindrain
Tuesday.
powers/571816.html
reported.
patterns.
Senttime: 06/09/201603:59:08PM
MoreonYakovlev/Voronin/Romondanovskiy
Zolotovsvictory(Murov/Kochnev)
FSBwilllookintoemployeedebt,foreignmarriages
Aproblemwithdualusealcohol-basedproducts
MoreonYakovlev/Voronin/Romondanovskiy
Seethenotesfrom7and8June.
First,followinguponthisbitfromyesterdaysnotes:
[http://www.rbc.ru/politics/08/06/2016/5756984b9a7947574d1f5b40?from=main
PutinintendstoreplaceYuriYakovlevasheadoftheFSBsEconomicSecurityService(SEB)Yakovlevwillretire,accordingtoRBCssources.
Peskovsaysthatthusfarhedoesntknowanythingaboutit.FormerFSBMajorGeneralAleksandrMikhailovsaysthattheSEBisoneofthe
keycomponentsoftheFSB.FSBbossAleksandrBortnikovprecededYakovlevatFSBSEB,servingtherein2004-2008.Yakovlevsdeparturecould
beconnectedwiththeresignationoftheheadoftheSEBsDepartmentK,ViktorVoronin.Voroninsdeparturewassupposedlyconnectedtoa
criminalcaseinvolvingcontraband.OneofVoroninssubordinates,VadimUvarov,wasimplicatedinthecase,whichinvolvedpayoffsbyimporters
toaCustomsofficial.TheCustomsofficialwhoissuspectedoftakingbribesisPavelSmolyarchuk,arelativeofUvarovs.]
On6JuneNovayaGazetasaidthatVoroninwasonhiswayout:http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/73329.html
NovayalooksbackatthelastmonthasaconveyerofcorruptioncasespursuedbytheMVDandFSB,startingwiththeCulture
Ministryscandal.ThoseimplicatedincludeDeputyMinisterPirumov,theMinKultsBorisMazoandBorisTsagarayev,aswellas
contractor/businessmanDmitriyMikhalchenko,alsoimplicatedinacustoms/smugglingcase(theysaythereisabattleunderwayfor
controllingtheNWCustomsoffice).MikhalchenkoisreportedlyaprotgofnowformerheadoftheFSO,YevgeniyMurov.
AnotherassociateofMurovs,KremlinrestorationexpertYevgeniyPrigozhin,hasalsobeenarrested(OntheCultureMinistry
scandalandMikhalchenko/Murov,seethenotesfrom21and29March.Seealsothe26and27Maynotes).
AnadvisortotheheadofRospybolovstvo,YuriKhokholov,issuspectedofsellingthepostofrectoroftheKamchatkaState
TechnicalUniversityfor$5million.HewastargetedbytheFSBsDirectorateK(Comment:PartoftheFSBsEconomic
SecurityService/SEBaswereadinyesterdaysnotes).
TheMayorofVladivostik,IgorPushkarev,andthedirectorofaroadconstructionenterprise,AndreyLushhikov,havealsobeen
arrestedbytheFSBthistime,theInternalSecurityDirectorateorSixthService(Seethe2and7Junenotes).
Meanwhile,theMVDhasarrestedtheheadofRosreestorfortheNWMoscowOkrug,takenintocustodyjustashereceiveda
$350,000bribeforregisteringcertainrealestateholdings.Experienceshowsthatthisislikelyjustthebeginning.TheMVD-FSB
jointlycarriedoutanoperationthatdetainedtwoformerheadsofmilitaryindustryenterprises,MuradSafinandRuslan
Suleiymanov,onfraudcharges.
Somehaveexplainedthewaveofcorruptioncasesasbeingtypicalforanelectionyearbutthatsusuallyinapresidential,nota
parliamentaryelectionyear.Changesinthepowerstructures(attheFSBseconomicsecurityunit,forinstance)couldhave
somethingtodowiththeanti-corruptionconveyer.AnotherfactortheliquidationoftheFSKN,thedeparturesofViktor
IvanovandMurov.Maybethoseeventsledtoare-divisionoftheinfluencemarket.
AccordingtoNovayassources,aproverkahasbeenunderwayatFSBSEBandanimportantSEBunit,DirectorateK,which
handlescasesinvolvingthecredit/financialsystem.NovayasaysthattheheadofDirectorateK,ViktorVoronin,hasresignedhe
isoneofthemostinfluentialandnon-publicofthesiloviky.Sotherampedupanti-corruptioncampaigncouldberelatedtoa
struggletosucceedVoronin.KisakeydepartmentintheFSB,handlingthebankingsystem,takingpartinoperationalmatters
relatedtomoneylaunderingandtheshiftingofmoneyoffshore.TherearerumorsgoingaroundthattheleadershipoftheFSB
SEBcouldgoaswell.SowithastruggleunderwaytotakeVoroninsspot,theanti-corruptioncasesenumeratedabovemaybea
chanceforthoseaspiringtotakehisplacetoshowtheirskills,auditioningforthejob.Recentpowerministryshakeupshave
perhapsopeneduppossibilitiesforthosewhowantedtopursuecertaincases,buthadnotbeengiventhegoaheadpriortothe
shakeups.
Comment:Asnotedpreviously(Seethe31Maynotes,forexample),IthinkMurovsdeparturewasrelatedtothe
FSBvsFSOstrugglethatgoesbackaways,particularlyflaringupaftertheNemtsovmurder.Mikhalchenkosarrest
indicatedthatMurovwasweakened.ThecreationoftheNatsguardandZolotovsriseneededtobebalanced
true,ZolotovmayhavewelcomedthedepartureofhisoldbossMurov,asheintendedtoreplacehimwithhisman
Kochnev,buttheFSBwasprobablyhopingtoplaceitsowncandidate.OtherfactorsincludePutinsdistrustofthe
silovikyingeneral,fearsofapalacecoup,andthealwayspresentelitefearofapopularbuntsoPutindraws
thoseclosesttohimevencloser(Zolotov,forexample,withpeoplefromhisFSO/PresidentialSecurityServicedays
beingplacedinimportantposts.AndwevereadthatZolotovmaybeeyeingpostsattheFSBandtheSK.Seethe2
and6Junenotes,whichalsoincludedabitonPutindoingsomebalancingbydisbandingtheFSKNandthe
MigrationServiceandshiftingtheirfunctionstotheMVD,whichhadlosttheInternalTroopstotheNatsguard.And
KolokoltsevdidgetsomethingoutofZolotovsleavingtheMVDfortheNatsguardZolotovhadlongbeenrumored
tobeapossiblereplacementforKolokoltsevasminister.Seethe31Maynotes).
Asfarasthepresentanti-corruptionarreststheyarelikelypartlyrelatedtotheFSB-FSOpowerstruggle,partly
probablytheFSBandMVDtryingtoreassertthemselves.Theresprobablysomescoresettlinggoingonatthemid-
levelofthepowerbureaucracy,andoncethesecampaignsgetstarted,theperipheralmotivestendtoobscureand
confusetheinitialreasonsthecampaignwaskickedoff.ItcouldverywellbethatsomeareauditioningforVoronins
job,forinstance.
More:Asnotedheremanytimepreviously,asystemthatisinefficientanddysfunctionalinitsday-todayoperations
occasionallyneedsmanualcontrolorananti-corruptioncampaigntokeepthewheelsturning.Corruptionata
certain,manageablelevelprobablyhelpskeepsthesystemworking,howeverinefficiently,butifthebribesgettoobig,
thecorruptofficialstooblatant,thenthemachinesgearscangrindtoahalt.Ananti-corruptioncampaignbecomes
necessarytoreinintheworstabusesandshoreupthestateslegitimacy.Ithinksuchacampaignhadbeengoingon
previoustothislatestroundofarrests.
MoreonVoroninRBCsaysthatVoroninwasclosetoViktorIvanov:
http://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/06/2016/57501d0c9a7947cfd3b27bd0?from=main
Backin2010,VoroninwasmentionedasapossiblereplacementforMurovatFSOVoroninwasacandidateforinclusionon
theUSMagnitskiylistasaninitiatorofthecaseagainstHermitageCapital,butdidnotmakethefinalcutAnFSBsourcesays
thatVoroninwasclosetoViktorIvanovin2004,VoroninheadedtheNWFederalOkrugFSKN
Comment:Ithinkitsworthreplayingthisbitfromthe2Junenotesonemoretime:
[Zolotovsvictory(Murov/Kochnev)
http://politcom.ru/21134.html
AlekseyMakarkinsaysthatMurovsresignationisavictoryforZolotov(theywereonceapparatusallies,butZolotovhashisownclientele
thesedays)ZolotovwasabletoreplacehimwithhismanDmitriyKochnev,ZolotovslongtimedeputyatthePresidentialSecurityServicewho
sincelastyearhasheadedthatservice.Systemically,weseecadresfromthatservicebeingplacedinimportantpostsGeneralKolpakovashead
ofthePresidentialAffairsAdministration,GeneralMironovisnowheadoftheMVDseconomiccrimesunit(MakarkinseesDyuminmovingfrom
deputydefenseministertoTulagovernorassomethingofademotionsoheisanexceptiontotherule).
Thereisatendencytoachangingofthegenerationalguardinthehigherechelonsofvlast.Intheearly2000s,whenPutinbecamepresident,he
broughtwithhimateamofpeopleclosetohim,peoplehehadworkedwithintheKGBorinSt.Petersburg.Foralongtime,Putindidnotmakeany
changesinhiscircleheisamanstableinhissympathiesaswellashisantipathies.Iftherewasachange,thenitwasalateralmove,or
accompaniedbysomeformofcompensation.Butsomewheredowntheline,PutinbegantodoubttheeffectivenessofthesepeopleYakunins
departurefromRussianRailwayswasanindicator.AndPutinsawthataresignationinhisclosecirclewasnotacatastrophe.Thesystemcontinued
tofunctionnormally.SowegotadominoeffectViktorIvanovlosthisFSKNpost,GryzlovhisseatasapermanentSecurityCouncilmember.Now
itsMurovsturn.
Comment:OnYakunin,Iwonderedwhetherhisdeparturehesubsequentlywarnedotherstheywerenotsafehadsomethingtodowitha)the
crisis,andtheineffectivenessofpeoplewhokeptcomingbackagainandagainaskingformoremoney,moresubsidies.Putinwasdisturbedby
thecrisisandthesensethathewasnotbeingrepaidwiththedegreeofsteadfastnessandloyaltyhemighthaveexpectedandb)Putinsownview
ofhimselfasamanofdestiny,onethatwasevident,Ithink,beforetheUkrainecrisis,asensethathewasamanapart,withaspecialmission.
Thatwouldtendtomakeiteasiertopartwithfriendshemightseeaspresentingroadblockstofulfillinghisdestiny.Inalowtrustenvironment
likethatinRussia,suchmovesmightcauserumblingsamongthoseinhiscirclewhoexpectapremiumfrombeingclosetothebodyaswell
asdrawingthecircleofthosemosttrustedevencloser.LikeZolotov.
Makarkindoesntliketheclandescriptionofgroupswithinvlasthesaysthatvlastismoreatomized,withRussianpoliticscomprisedofa
fewdozenmajorplayersandtheirclienteleswhoformsituationalallianceswithoneanother,andclashaswell,withthepresidentpresiding
overthesystemsarbitrationwhichsoundsprettymuchlikemyverticalaxisoftheclansystem(thejustbusinessaxis),soIthinkhes
makingadistinctionwithoutadifference.Onthehorizontalaxisareonesclosestfriendsandrelatives,thepeopleonecountsoninapinchI
thinkwehaveanideaofwhosomeofthosepeopleareinPutinscircleZolotov,Raldugin,theRotenbergs,andtheKovalchuksbeingexamples.
MakarkinissayingthatthecadrereservesPutinisdrawingonarenotsomuchfromthebroaderFSOasfromitsPresidentialSecurityService
branch.]
ViktorIvanovsdeparturemayhavehadanimpactonthefateofLarisaKalanda,whorecentlyleftherimportant
postsatRosneftandRosneftegaz,aswell.Seethe27Mayand6Junenotes.
MoreonVoronin:http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3005894
ThecaseagainsttheSEBDirectorateKsUvarov(mentionedabove)washandledbytheFSBsInternalSecurityunit
KommersantsaysthatVoroninwasalsosupposedlyclosetorecentlyarrestedbusinessmanDmitriyMikhalchenko
Thisitemhttp://www.moscow-post.com/politics/kto_za_vse_v_otvete21249/
claimsthatchargesagainstVoroninhavetodowithKsinvolvementinthecaseagainsttheMVDseconomicsecurity/anti-
corruptionunit,theGUEBiPK,acaseinwhichtheformerheadofthatunit,DenisSugrobov,wasarrestedandstillawaitstrialon
corruptionchargesstemmingfromclaimsthatheandhissubordinatesfabricatedcasesagainstbusinesses,amongotherthings.
Sugrobovsdeputy,BorisKolesnikovwasalsoarrested(Comment:Anddiedunderstrangecircumstanceswhilein
custody).TheGUEBiPKscandaldealtaseriousblowtoMedvedevsentourageandsomesaythatVoroninsdeparturefrom
theFSBSEBwasrevengebysomeofMedvedevspeoplefortheGUEBiPKcase.
Comment:Russiasoverlappingmoneylaunderingchannelsarevastandinvolvelotsofgamesapartfromthe
Magnitskiyaffair,recallthelengthyGUEBiPKscandal,whichpointedtoaclashbetweentheMVDeconomicsecurity
department(probablyalliedwithelementsintheProsecutorsoffice)andtheFSBanditsalliesintheInvestigative
Committee.Thebattlewassaidtobeovercontrollingmoneylaunderingchannels.Seethe31Marchnotesfora
rehashoftheGUEBiPKaffair.
MoreonRomodanovosky
Iranthisiteminthe7Junenotes
[Seeyesterdaysnotesandthenotesfrom27and31May.
http://www.newtimes.ru/articles/detail/111570
SomesaythatformerheadoftheFederalMigrationService(FMS)KonstantinRomodanovskiyfledthecountrythatswhyhewasnotatthe
meetingatwhichPutinannouncedthattheFSKNandtheFMSwouldbeundertheMVD.RumorsfollowedthatRomodanovskiywasconnectedto
thearrestedbusinessmanDmitriyMikhalchenko.TheMVDPublicCommunicationsDepartmentsaysitdoesnotknowwhereheis.NewTimes
couldntfindhimathisresidenceinMoscowOblast,thoughitsinterestingthatoneofhisneighborsthere,RemigiyusPenkauskas,wassentenced
tonineyearsbackin2013forbeingconnectedtoadrugtraffickingring.TheinvestigationwasconductedbytheFSKN.Asecurityguardatthe
complexwhereRomodanovskiysresidenceislocatedsaysthatthreemonthsago,Romodanovskiyssonandfamilywereconstantlyvisitinghim,
buthehasnotseenanyofthemforawhile]
ThatwasnotthefullitemareadersentthecompletearticleRomodanovskiystartedhiscareerasapathologistattheMoscow
morgueHewenttoaKGBAcademyinMinskandjoinedthe5thDirectorate,whichtargeteddissentersAfterthefallofthe
USSR,RomodanovskiyworkedfortheFSBInternalSecurityDepartment,thenintheanalogousMVDdepartmentstartingin
2011(thepiecemaintainsthatRomodanovskiywaspartoftheintriguesthateventuallyresultedinthenMVDchiefVladimir
Rushaylolosingthatpost)Inthe2000s,RomodanovskiytookpartintheMVDsinternalanti-corruptioncampaignagainst
werewolvesinshoulderboardsandwascalledtheconscienceofthemilitia.HispatronwasViktorIvanov,whowasatthe
timeworkingasdeputyheadofthePresidentialAdministrationHewasalsosaidtobequitewellacquaintedwithRomanTsepov
(Seebelow).WhenTsepovwasassassinatedin2004,bothZolotovandRomodanovskiyattendedthefuneral.
In2005,RomodanovskiywasmadeheadoftheFederalMigrationService(FMS),andsubsequentlyhisrankwaselevatedtothat
ofaminister.TheFMSwasfrequentlynamedinbriberyscandalsIn2012,theIvanov-Romodanovskiytandemtookpartinthe
strugglefortheMVDministerspostwhenNurgaliyevwasonhiswayout(Comment:Iassumetheaimwastoinstall
Romodanovskiyasminister,thoughthatsnotclear).ButKolokoltsev,reportedlybackedbyMedvedev,Gazprom,and
Severstal,eventuallywonoutTherewererumorsinMarchthatRomodanovskiywouldbeimplicatedinthecontrabandalcohol
caseagainstDmitriyMikhalchenko.MikhalchenkowassupposedlyinvolvedinpassingdocumentationtoCentralAsianGuest
workersshortlythereafter,theFMSwasliquidated,itsdutiestransferredtotheMVD
Eventually,NewTimeswasabletocontactRomodanovskiybyphone.Hesaysheisathisresidenceandhasnotfledthecountry.
HewasnotatthemeetingwithPutin(inwhichVVPannouncedtheliquidationoftheFMSandtheFSKN)becausehewasillhe
alreadyknew,anyway
Comment:IrecentlycoveredPutinsconnectionstoorganizedcrimeinSt.Petersburg,connectionsthatincluded
Tsepov,inthe30Marchnotes.Brieflyput,Tsepovwasaracketeerandonetimeall-aroundfixerandbodyguardfor
MayorSobchakinSt.Petersburg.Tsepovwastheco-founder,alongwithPutinbodyguardViktorZolotov,ofaSt.
Petersburgsecurityfirm,BalticEksport.TsepovapparentlytriedtoinsinuatehimselfintotheYukosaffairasa
mediatorIsuspectedatthetimethatthiswasthereasonhewasassassinated.ZolotovattendedTsepovsfuneral.
ThekillingofTsepovshookuptheelite,creatingquiteascandal.IhadSechinandDeripaska,whowasalsointerested
inYukos,aslikelysuspectsinthemurderTsepovreportedlytriedtopasshimselfoffasDeripaskasrepresentative.
TherehavebeenclaimsthatTsepov,likeLitvinenko,waspoisonedwithpolonium.
Tsepov,claimsthatFSBagentDmitriyMikhachenkokilledTsepovwithpolonium-poisonedteaattheSt.PetersburgFSBoffice.
MikhalchenkosubsequentlytookoverTsepovsbusinesses.ZolotovhadbeenTsepovspatron,butMikhalchenkohadthe
FSBsBortnikovasakrysha.Thus,ZolotovandBortnikovhavelongbeenenemiesNemtsovwaskilledbyKadyrovand
Zolotov,theinvestigationconductedunderBortnikov.
Thatsaid,ifMikhalchenkowasinvolved,wehaveareasontothinktheresenmitybetweenMikhalchenkoandZolotov(andmaybe
Murov,toosinceheseemstobetheMikhalchenkokryshanow)..andZolotovandBortnikov?
In2004,whenTsepovwasmurdered,BortnikovwasoutofStP,btw.UptoFebruary2004heheadedtheFSBinStP,buthethenwent
toheadtheFSBsSEB(whenhemetVoronin?),takingtheonetimeallegedlysuperinfluentialZaostrovtsevs(trikita)place.
Inshort,justhowmuchifnotallofthisstuffaprovocationisnotclear,butthatdoesntmakeitlessinterestinginlightofallthe
otherstuffgoingon
FSBwilllookintoemployeedebt,foreignmarriages
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russian-security-service-to-examine-employee-debt-foreign-
marriages/571698.html
RussiancitizensseekingtojointheFederalSecurityService(FSB)willhavetodiscloseoverduedebtandanymarriagestoforeigners
withintheirfamily,theindependenttelevisionchannelDozhdreportedThursday.
TheFSBisseekingtocurbforeigninterferenceinitsoperationsandwithinitsnetwork.
Recently,foreignintelligenceserviceshavestrengthenedtheiroperationsthroughpenetrationoftheFSBinRussia.Thisincreases
corruptionandrisksforemployees,Dozhdreported,citinganexplanatorynoteaccompanyingthemeasures.
Accordingtotheorder,allFSBcandidateswillberequiredtomakeknownanymarriageswithinclosefamilytoforeigners,stateless
personsorRussiancitizenslivingabroad.
Inaddition,thosehopingtoenterintoservicewillnowberequiredtodiscloseanydebtexceeding500,000rubles($7,800)ifthedebtis
notpaidwithinthreemonths.AnexplanationwillberequiredbytheFSB.
ThechangeprotectsemployeesfromforeignrecruitmentintheeventthattheFSBgoesbankrupt.Byrequiringcandidatestosupply
theirpersonalinformation,theFSBaimstopreventsuchinformationfrombeingmadepublic,Dozhdreported.
TheneworderisinagreementwithalawpassedinOctober2015,whichdeclaredthatanyoneunabletopaydebtexceeding500,000
rubleswithinthreemonthscandeclarebankruptcy.
Aproblemwithdualusealcohol-basedproducts
Comment:Areminderthatthiskindofthingisstillamajorproblem.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russian-officials-fight-perfume-boozers/571679.html
OfficialsinnorthwestRussia'srepublicofKomiarediscussingafederalbanonlargebottlesofcologneinanattempttostopresidents
drinkingtheperfumeasacheapalternativetovodka,theFlashNordnewsoutletreportedThursday.
Theauthorsoftheinitiativeproposethatbottlesofperfumebereducedinsizefrom50mlto10mltoensurethatcologneremainsmore
expensivethantraditionalspirits.
Themeasuresareintendedtopreventresidentsfromdrinkingthefragrancesfortheirhighalcoholcontent.Dual-usealcohol-based
productsperfume,medicine,cleaningproductsarethemostcommoncauseofpoisoninginthearea,FlashNordreported.
Therepublichasahighlevelofalcoholism,withalcoholabusesignificantlyimpactinglocalmortalityrates.Thenumbersofdeaths
causedbychronicalcoholismstandsabovethenationalaveragein10oftheregion'stowns,accordingtoRussianconsumerrights
watchdogRospotrebnadzor,FlashNordreported.Komiministersalsodiscussedtakingadditionalmeasurestoensurethatthatalcohol
contentinperfumeandotherdual-useproductsdoesnotexceedlegallimits.
Senttime: 06/01/201611:53:10PM
Subject: NavalnyyonViceMayorLiksutov'sLinktotheMagnitskiyAffair
http://navalny.com/p/4892/
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Senttime: 06/01/201611:50:39PM
To: KyleParker<kyle@kyleparker.net>
Subject: NavalnyyLinksViceMayorLiksutovtotheMagnitskiyAffair
http://navalny.com/p/4892/
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.
Senttime: 06/02/201601:02:51PM
VenediktovexplainswhytheAlbatsprogramdisappearedfromEkhoMoskvy
6,000workersonawork-to-rulestrikeatEvraz
MoscowDeputyMayorLiksutovandtheMagnitskiyaffair
MilovonprivatizingRosneft(TheChinesemaybetheonlyoption)
RussiaspivottoChina
Vladivostokmayordetained(Chargedwithchannelingbudgetfundstofirmsownedbyhisrelatives)
OlegNavalniypetitionsforparole
VenediktovexplainswhytheAlbatsprogramdisappearedfromEkhoMoskvy
http://www.mk.ru/social/2016/05/25/ya-v-beshenstve-venediktov-obyasnil-ischeznovenie-peredachi-albac-s-ekha.html
VenediktovhasconfirmedanearlierreportbyOpenRussiathatthedisappearanceofYevgeniaAlbatsprogramfromEkho
MoskvywasbecauseofcensorshiplimitsVenediktovsayshewilltryandgetherbackontheairinJune(thereportisdated
25May)Albatssaysthatshewasofferedanewcontractwithaclauseonhernotaskinganyquestionsorraisinganythemes
thathadnotbeenapprovedbyEchoMoskvyGeneralDirectorYekaterinaPavlova.Anotherclauserequireshernottoviolate
generallyrecognizedmoralnormsVenediktovsaysthecontractstepsonhistoesasChiefEditoritshisjobtodetermine
editorialpolicy.TheargumentovertheAlbatscontractisreminiscentofthefiringofjournalistAleksandrPlyushchevbyPavlova
(becauseofatweetabouttheheadofKremlinAdministrationSergeyIvanov)Venediktovsaiditwashisjobtohireandfire.
Plyushchevwasreinstated.NewTimes,amagazineheadedbyAlbats,regularlycarriesreportsonofficialcorruption
Comment:ThePlyushchevaffairpittedthelateMikhailLesin,inhiscapacityasheadofGazpromMedia,against
Venediktov.Seethenotesfrom7,9,10,12,and16November2014.Thetweetsthatcausedthestirwereaboutthe
drowningdeathofIvanovsson.
Heresapiecethatsumsupthestory:http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/firing-of-ekho-moskvy-reporter-
prompts-speculation-over-fate-of-editor-in-chief/510788.html
6,000workersonawork-to-rulestrikeatEvraz
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/massive-strike-at-russian-factory-of-abramovichs-evraz/571240.html
SixthousandworkershavegoneonstrikeataplantoftheEvrazsteelandminingcompany,partlyownedbyRomanAbramovich.
StaffattheoreminingandprocessingplantintheSverdlovskregiontownofKachkanarareprotestinganewbonussystem,theRBC
newsoutletreportedThursday.
Strikeleadersclaimthechangesreducetheirwagesby7,000to15,000rubles($100to$220)amonth.Theaveragesalaryattheplant
is47,000rubles($700)amonth.
Workersareholdingawork-to-rulestrike,wherethosetakingpartareencouragedtostrictlyfollowallindustryrulesandguidelinesto
thepointwhereithampersproduction.
TradeunionleaderAnatolyPyankovsaidthatproductioncouldbereducedby50percentasaresultoftheaction,RBCreported.
http://politcom.ru/21134.html
AlekseyMakarkinsaysthatMurovsresignationisavictoryforZolotov(theywereonceapparatusallies,butZolotovhashisown
clientelethesedays)ZolotovwasabletoreplacehimwithhismanDmitriyKochnev,Zolotovslongtimedeputyatthe
PresidentialSecurityServicewhosincelastyearhasheadedthatservice.Systemically,weseecadresfromthatservicebeing
placedinimportantpostsGeneralKolpakovasheadofthePresidentialAffairsAdministration,GeneralMironovisnowheadof
theMVDseconomiccrimesunit(MakarkinseesDyuminmovingfromdeputydefenseministertoTulagovernorassomethingof
ademotionsoheisanexceptiontotherule).
Thereisatendencytoachangingofthegenerationalguardinthehigherechelonsofvlast.Intheearly2000s,whenPutinbecame
president,hebroughtwithhimateamofpeopleclosetohim,peoplehehadworkedwithintheKGBorinSt.Petersburg.Fora
longtime,Putindidnotmakeanychangesinhiscircleheisamanstableinhissympathiesaswellashisantipathies.Iftherewas
achange,thenitwasalateralmove,oraccompaniedbysomeformofcompensation.Butsomewheredowntheline,Putinbegan
todoubttheeffectivenessofthesepeopleYakuninsdeparturefromRussianRailwayswasanindicator.AndPutinsawthata
resignationinhisclosecirclewasnotacatastrophe.Thesystemcontinuedtofunctionnormally.Sowegotadominoeffect
ViktorIvanovlosthisFSKNpost,GryzlovhisseatasapermanentSecurityCouncilmember.NowitsMurovsturn.
Comment:OnYakunin,Iwonderedwhetherhisdeparturehesubsequentlywarnedotherstheywerenotsafehad
somethingtodowitha)thecrisis,andtheineffectivenessofpeoplewhokeptcomingbackagainandagainaskingfor
moremoney,moresubsidies.Putinwasdisturbedbythecrisisandthesensethathewasnotbeingrepaidwiththe
degreeofsteadfastnessandloyaltyhemighthaveexpectedandb)Putinsownviewofhimselfasamanofdestiny,
onethatwasevident,Ithink,beforetheUkrainecrisis,asensethathewasamanapart,withaspecialmission.That
wouldtendtomakeiteasiertopartwithfriendshemightseeaspresentingroadblockstofulfillinghisdestiny.Ina
lowtrustenvironmentlikethatinRussia,suchmovesmightcauserumblingsamongthoseinhiscirclewhoexpecta
premiumfrombeingclosetothebodyaswellasdrawingthecircleofthosemosttrustedevencloser.Like
Zolotov.
Makarkindoesntliketheclandescriptionofgroupswithinvlasthesaysthatvlastismoreatomized,with
Russianpoliticscomprisedofafewdozenmajorplayersandtheirclienteleswhoformsituationalallianceswith
oneanother,andclashaswell,withthepresidentpresidingoverthesystemsarbitrationwhichsoundsprettymuch
likemyverticalaxisoftheclansystem(thejustbusinessaxis),soIthinkhesmakingadistinctionwithouta
difference.Onthehorizontalaxisareonesclosestfriendsandrelatives,thepeopleonecountsoninapinchI
thinkwehaveanideaofwhosomeofthosepeopleareinPutinscircleZolotov,Raldugin,theRotenbergs,andthe
Kovalchuksbeingexamples.
MakarkinissayingthatthecadrereservesPutinisdrawingonarenotsomuchfromthebroaderFSOasfromits
PresidentialSecurityServicebranch.
Fromthe31Maynotes:
[MorefromAgentura.rusAndreySoldatov:http://www.svoboda.mobi/a/27761289.html
Comment:SoldatovremindsusthatwhenwesaythereisanFSBvs.FSObattle,itsimportanttorememberthatwerenotnecessarilytalking
aboutafull-scaleclashofinstitutions,but,rather,abattleofclanswithinthoseorganizations.Asnotedabove,FSOpeoplehavebeenmovinginto
otherinstitutionsliketheMVD,buttheymaynothaveordevelopanyinstitutionalloyaltytoaneworganizationitsmorelikelytheywillwork
fortheinterestsoftheirclan,thefocalpointofwhichmaybesomewhereoutsidetheirformalorganization.IusetheshorthandFSBvs.
FSOandgenerallythinkoftheInvestigativeCommittee(SK)asbeingtheFSBsallyagainstChaykaandtheMVD,forinstance,but,again,
theseinstitutionsareactuallyhivesofclans,andtheinformalarrangementsarestrongerthantheinstitutionalones.Sothatsanimportant
pointthatweshouldnotlosesightof.Zolotov,forinstance,wasintheMVD,commandingtheInternalTroops,butbyallaccountskepthistiesto
hisoldFSOcomradesandwasclosertoKadyrovthantoKolokoltsev,whosawZolotovasathreattohisposition.
SoldatovalsosaysthatPutinisusingtheFSOasacadresreservePutinhaslosthisoldcontactswiththeSt.PetersburgFSBfromwhichhe
drewcadresinthepast.Inthe90s,headsofspecialserviceswereoftenpeoplewhohadcreatedthosepost-Sovietorganizationsandhadmore
reasontocountontheloyaltyoftheircadrestoday,Bastrykinistheonlypowerstructurechiefleadinganorganizationthathehasheadedfrom
itsinceptionPutincouldbemoresureofthespecialserviceswhenhewasdrawingonpeoplefromSt.Petersburgtodayheisnotsosureof
theirloyaltyandthemainproblemhasbeenwhowouldheuseforreplacementsinthoseorganizations.PutinhasleanedontheFSOforcadres,
somethingSoldatovcallsadesperatestep.Why?BecausePutincantrustonlythosepeoplerighttherewithhim,hissecuritydetail,something
reminiscentofwhathappensinsmalldictatorships,butcantworkinahugecountrylikeRussia.ItsacomplexproblemPutinissurroundedby
peoplewhoaresilovikyandthosepeoplearealwaysinadefensivestance,alwaysansweringforthreatstheyliveinaworldofthreats.That
suggestsPutinandhiscirclehavefewstrategicplans,thereareonlytacticaldecisions(Comment:ApointsupportedbyBelkovskiyandmadein
thesenotesmanytimes)]
MoreonKochnev
Kochnevswife,MarinaMedvedeva,isamanageratSibur,Russiaslargestpetrochemicalcompany,andisdoingquitewellfor
herself:http://www.rbc.ru/politics/01/06/2016/574bf6229a7947712fb6fc6dNeitherMedvedevanortheFSOPressService
wouldanswerRBCsquestions,butanFSBsourcebacksupthestory,whichhadappearedinFontankaon26MayShesa
lawyerspecializingintheinternationaloilbusiness.ShepreviouslyworkedatTNKandTNK/BP.ShesworkedatSibursince
2008andownsrealestateandtwohousesinMoscowOblast.Amongspousesofsiloviky,Medvedevaissurpassedinincome
onlybythewifeoftheMVDsAleksandrSavenkovSince4Aprilofthisyear,Medvedevahasalsobeenthegeneraldirectorof
Olefininvest,whichowns73%ofSibur.OlefininvestiscontrolledbystructuresbelongingtoLeonidMikhelson,founderof
Novatek.AmongSibursco-ownersareGennadiyTimchenkoandreportedPutinson-on-lawKirillShamalov.
Sobesednik(1June,articlebyOlegRolduginthearticleisnotatthesite,butidentifiedasaSobesednikpieceatthissite:
http://www.oilru.com/news/517883Thearticleisreproducedhereaswell:http://rosinvest.com/novosti/1263600)notesthat
MurovdepartedfromhispostthedayafterSobesednikpublishedapieceonhiswifeowningamansioninanexclusivepartof
MoscowOblast(http://sobesednik.ru/rassledovanie/20160526-pered-uvolneniem-glava-fso-murov-zavladel-nedvizhimostyu-na
).HedidntputthatresidenceinapropertydeclarationandthenhadthepropertysignedovertohissonOnKochnevhis
daughterYulia(byhisfirstwife,TatyanaKochneva)worksforabank(SMPBank)controlledbytheRotenbergbrothers,Arkadiy
andBorisKochnevscurrentwife(thoughSobesednikhasnotbeenabletodefinitelyestablishwhethersheisactuallyhiswife
shehasachildofherown),MarinaMedvedeva,headsOlefininvestSibursharesheldinCyprusweretransferredtothat
companyasaconsequenceofde-offshorization.TimchenkoandShamalovaresaidtobeamongtheprominentbusinessfigures
behindOlefinivestTwoyearsago,MedvedevawontheDirectoroftheYearawardandin2004wasawardedaUSState
DepartmentgranttogototheUSonajobtrainingprogram
Comment:TheSobesednikpiececlaimsthatKochnevatonetimeworkedattheMVD,whichisnotinhisofficialbio.
Seethe27Maynotes.
HeresanotherSobesednikpiecesayingthatYuliaKochnevaworksattheRotenbergsbank:
http://sobesednik.ru/rassledovanie/20160602-doch-novogo-glavy-fso-ushla-k-rotenbergam?utm=important
Wegetthispictureofmotheranddaughteraswell:
MoscowDeputyMayorLiksutovandtheMagnitskiyaffair
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/moscow-deputy-mayor-allegedly-linked-to-magnitsky-case/571184.html
GermannewspaperSddeutschenZeitunghaslinkedMoscow'sdeputyMayorMaximLiksutovtotheMagnitskycaseinanongoing
investigation,theMeduzanewswebsitereportedWednesday.
ThejointinvestigationbySddeutschenZeitungandSwisscompanySonntagszeitungislookingintoleakedinformationfromtheso-
calledPanamapapers.Thescandalhasrevealedtheoffshoreholdingsofmorethanahundredofpoliticiansandofficialsaroundthe
world.
CompanyZibarManagementtransferredmorethan$336,000totheaccountofEstonianfirmTransgroupInvestin2012,Sddeutschen
Zeitungreported.A50percentshareofTransgroupInvestbelongedtoLiksutovatthetime.
ZibarManagementwasclaimedtobeoneoftheentitiesinvolvedinthe5.4billionruble($81million)theftfromtheRussiangovernment
budgetbyheadofHermitageCapitalWilliamBrowder.
ThecrimewasinvestigatedbyaMoscowlawyerSergeiMagnitsky,whoworkedforHermitageCapitalManagement.Magnitskydiedina
Russianjailin2009afterbeingunabletoaccessmedicaltreatment,claimhumanrightsactivistsandMagnitsky'slawyers.
TheincidentresultedintheU.S.introducingtheMagnitskyAct,whichbanscertainRussiansinvolvedinhumanrightsviolationsfrom
enteringtheU.S.Thelistcurrentlyincludes39individuals,RIANovostireported.
Liksutovdidnotreplytotherequestforcommentfromthenewspaper.
MilovonprivatizingRosneft(TheChinesemaybetheonlyoption)
http://echo.msk.ru/blog/milov/1775482-echo/
Thestatewantstosella19.5%stakethatleavesthestate50%+1sharerightnow,69.5%belongstoRosneftegaz,with
Rosimushchestvoholdingoneshare.Butisthisarealprivatizationwearetalkingabout?Notreally.Thegovernmentwantstoget
somemoneyforastakethatwillleavethestateincontrolofRosneft.BPownsasimilarstakeinRosneft(19.75%)andhastwo
directorsonthecompanysboard,buthasnoinfluenceondecisionmakingorrepresentativesinthecompanysexecutivebodies.
InRussiancorporateculture,theruleisifyouholdacontrollingstake,thenyouarethecompanysownerveryseldomdo
minorityshareholdershaveanyinfluenceoveracompanysmanagement.ItwasBrowderseffortstopressforminority
shareholderinfluenceatGazpromthatgothimintotrouble.Andhowdidthatturnoutforhim?Thosewhoaspiretothe19.5%
stakeinRosneftknowverywellaboutthat.SosellingthatstakewillnotchangeanythinginRosneftsmanagement
VlasthasaproblemwithRosneftWesterninvestorsdonotwanttoinvestbillionsinRosneftbecauseofsanctionsandother
problemsRosnefthas(moreonthatbelow).TheChinesemightbuythestake,buttheyhavemadeitclearthatifso,theywillhave
influenceinthecompanysmanagement.
Sothestatewantsmoneytohelpclosesomebudgetholes,butafewhundredbillionrubleswontsavethesituationandsystemic
problemsrequiremoredrasticmeasuresshrinkingthestatesshareoftheeconomy,de-monopolizingtheeconomy,easing
tensionswiththeoutsideworld.Privatizationintheoilsectorisnecessaryaswellbuttogetthere,youdhavetodivideRosneft
intoseveralcompaniesandprivatizethem.Today,Rosneftextractsmorethan35%ofRussiasoil.Sosellingapieceofastate
controlledcompanywhilemaintainingstatemanagementdoesntdoanythingforchangingtheeconomystructurally.Sellingtothe
Chinesewouldmeansellingonestatestaketoanotherstate-heldcompanyChinasCNPC.WhatRussianeedsisacompetitive
situationamongprivatelyheldcompanies,soitwouldmakesensetobansellingstakestoother(foreign)state-heldcompanies.
Rosnefthassomeproblemsnon-transparentmanagement,arecentspateofcadreshakeups(Seethe27Maynotes),falling
productionlevels,anddebttrue,thedebtburdenisnotwhatitwas,butthatwasdealtwithbyreceivingarecordleveladvance
fromtheChineseforfutureoildeliveries(around$35billion),meaningthatRosneftmustdeliveroilforfreetoChinaforsome
time.ThemoneyfromtheadvancehasalreadybeenspentonthedebtaccumulatedforRosneftspurchaseofTNK/BPand
Sechinsotherescapades.Debtsremain,andfallingextractionatoilfieldsthatarebeingusedupwillrequirealotofinvestmentto
keepproductionlevelsupandtheresnomoneyforit.CombinethatwithlowoilpricesandRosnefthassomemajorissuestodeal
with.
Allthingsconsidered,sellingthe19.5%stakeinRosnefttotheChineseinexchangeforguaranteesofaccesstomanagementisthe
onlyavailableoption.IftheRussiansmanagetoselltheChinesetheideaofbillionsinexchangeforjustacoupleofseatsonthe
board,thenthatwouldbeasuccessforPutin.ButtheChinesearetoughandeffectivenegotiators.
RussiaspivottoChina
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/why-russias-pivot-to-china-was-all-talk-and-little-action/571193.html
ChineseofficialshavevisitedRussia,theRussiangovernmenthasannouncedplanstoincreasetradevolumewithChinaby$200billion
inthenextfewyearsandtheChinaNationalPetroleumCorporation(CNPC)hasexpressedinterestinincreasingitsstakeinRussian
oilgiantRosneft.
So,isRussiapivotingtoChinaornot?Thisquestiontookonideologicalimportancewhen,earlyintheUkrainiancrisis,theKremlin
steppedupitspropaganda,toutingChinaasanalternativetoMoscow'spartnershipwithEurope.
EventhemostcriticaltakeonRussian-ChineserelationsmustacknowledgethattherelativeshareofRussia'stradewithChinahas
tripledsincethestartofthe21stcentury,andhasincreasedsignificantlyeveninabsoluteterms.ChinaisRussia'slargesttrading
partneraftertheEuropeanUnion.RussiahaslaunchedmajoroilandgasprojectswithChinaandalreadycompeteswithSaudiArabia
asoneofBeijing'sleadingoilsuppliers.
Atthesametime,hopesthatRussian-Chineserelationswouldgainnewmomentumhavenotpannedout.Russianpropaganda's
insistencethatMoscowwaspivotingtoAsiaonlyresultedindisappointmentwhennobreakthroughsactuallyoccurred.(Thegas
contractthatMoscowsignedwithBeijingin2014wastheresultofmanyyearsofeffortandcanhardlybeconsideredaresultofthat
pivot.)
Infact,Russia'snegotiationswithChinaonmajoreconomicprojectscontinuejustasslowlyandwithjustasmuchexhausting
andnerve-rackingmaneuveringasever.Undersuchcircumstances,anysuchprojectrequiresatleastfivetosevenyearsofpreparation
beforeitmovesintotheimplementationphase.
Thisapproachisjustifiedtosomedegree.Majorstate-ownedChinesecompaniessuchasCNPCareessentiallyadirectextension
oftheChinesestatebureaucracy.Anyfuturedisagreementswillverylikelyshifttothepoliticallevel,ashappenedin2011when
TransneftandRosneftclashedwithCNPCovertariffsforpumpingoilthroughtheEasternSiberia-PacificOceanpipeline.
Inotherwords,anypurelyeconomicdisputeover,say,thetermsinacontractcanbecomeextremelyseriousandhaveanimpact
onnationalsecurity.ThatiswhyRussianleadersinthepost-Sovietperiodhavealwaysadvocatedanextremelycautious,skeptical
approachwhenclosingmajordealswithChinainstrategicallyimportantareas.Thatapproachbegantochangeslowlyonlyafewyears
priortotheoutbreakoftheUkrainiancrisis.
Russiahadagoodopportunitytochangethatcautiousapproachtoanopendoorpolicyinthesecondhalfof2014,whenthecountry's
economicprospectslookeddismalduetofallingoilpricesandWesternsanctions.Itwasatimeofnearpanic.
Backthen,Moscowwasreadytoagreetojustaboutanything.Frightenedleaderswereevenpreparedtotakedrasticmeasures
toattractChineseinvestmentandlending.Theywerepoisedtomakeirreversibledecisionsthatwouldhave,attheleast,givenChina
astrongpresenceinRussia,andatmost,allowedittodominatetheRussianfuelandenergysectorfordecades.
ButtheChineseweretooslowtoreact.Bymid-2015,theRussianauthoritiesunderstoodthatnoapocalypsewasimminent.Russian
governmenteconomistsnowexpecteconomicgrowthtoresumeinlate2016,early2017.Skeptics,however,expectcontinued
stagnationorasluggishrecession,buteventheydonotpredictaradicalupheaval.
Thus,despitethefactthattheUkrainiancrisisspurredcloserbilateralrelationswithChina,especiallyinindustry,norealqualitative
changeshavetakenplace.
PresidentVladimirPutin'svisittoChinainJunewillprobablyresultinaraftofimportantintergovernmentalagreementsto,forexample,
createwide-bodyaircraft,constructahigh-speedrailwaybetweenMoscowandKazanandfurtherdevelopcooperationonoilandgas.
However,noseriouschangesinRussian-Chineserelationsarelikelyatleastnotthisyear.
Thereareseveralreasonsforthis.First,boththeRussianandChineserulingelitearesplitoverfundamentalissues.TheRussianelite
haveyettoreachaconsensusoneconomicandforeignpolicy.TheChineseelitearelockedinanongoingdebateoverfuturerelations
withtheUnitedStatesandthepossibilityofadoptingamoreassertiveforeignpolicybefittingasuperpower.
Second,andmoreimportantly,theybothareinastateofuncertaintyconcerningtheoutcomeofthenextU.S.presidentialelection.
Regardlessoftheoutcome,itwillleadtomajorchangesinU.S.foreignpolicy.ThosechangesmightinfluencetheU.S.approachtothe
Trans-PacificPartnership,relationswithRussiaandallianceswithcountriesintheAsia-Pacificregion.
Therefore,Russian-Chineserelationsmightstandonthevergeofmajorchanges,buttheyareunlikelytooccurearlierthannextyear.
Vladivostokmayordetained(Chargedwithchannelingbudgetfundstofirmsownedbyhisrelatives)
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russias-vladivostok-mayor-charged-with-misusing-more-than-23m-in-
funds/571136.html
ThemayorofRussia'sfareasterncityofVladivostokistofacechargesofmisusingpublicfundstothesumofmorethan160million
rubles($2.3million),theInterfaxnewsagencyreportedWednesday.
IgorPushkaryovisaccusedofabusinghisauthoritytomastermindalarge-scaletradedealbetweenthelocalgovernmentandbuilding
supplycompanyVostokcement,headedbyhiscloserelatives.
TheoverpricedbuildingmaterialsboughtfromVostokcementwithgovernmentmoneygavePushkaryov45millionrubles($670,000)of
pureprofit,saidRussianInvestigativeCommitteerepresentativeVladimirMarkin.
PushkaryovwasdetainedonWednesdayandchargedwithabuseofpowerandbribery,RIANovostireported,citinganunidentified
sourcewithintheRussianInvestigativeCommittee.
Themayor'spress-servicedeniedmediareportsofPushkaryov'sdetention,maintainingthatthemayorwasstillatwork,theInterfax
newsagencyreportedearlieronWednesday.
OlegNavalniypetitionsforparole
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/brother-of-russian-oppositioner-navalny-files-petition-for-parole/571239.html
OlegNavalnythebrotherofoppositionleaderAlexeiNavalnyhasfiledapetitionforparole,theInterfaxnewsagencyreported
Thursday.Heiscurrentlyservinga3yearprisonsentence.
ThepetitionwillbeconsideredonJune27,Navalny'slawyerKirillPolozovsaid.However,Polozovsaidthathethinksitisunlikelythat
parolewillbegranted.
Navalnyhasunpaidpenaltiesandtheadministrationoftheprisoncolonyhasgivenhimanunfavorablereport.
OnDec.30,2014OlegNavalnyandhisbrotherwerefoundguiltyoffraudandlaunderingfundsoftheFrenchcosmeticsfirmYves
Rocher.AlexeiNavalnyareceivedthree-yearsuspendedsentence.
NavalnyfiledacomplaintwiththeEuropeanCourtofHumanRights,butnodecisionhasbeentakenbythecourtyet,theMeduzanews
websitereported.
Senttime: 06/01/201610:33:05PM
BCc: OttoRC@state.gov
Subject: MoreonNavalnyyTroublesoverKarpov(magnitskiy)
http://www.newsru.com/russia/01jun2016/navalny.html
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Senttime: 05/19/201612:43:52PM
Subject: GPWantsUSAidinProbeofBrowder'sGazpromShares(magnitskiy)
http://www.newsru.com/russia/19may2016/browder.html

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Senttime: 05/17/201611:36:23AM
Subject: KarpovvsNavalnyy(magnitskiy)
http://www.newsru.com/russia/17may2016/karpov.html

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Senttime: 05/19/201612:29:10PM
Subject: MoreKarpovvsNavalnyy(magnitskiy)
http://www.newsru.com/russia/19may2016/karpov.html
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Senttime: 05/02/201612:14:32AM
Subject: TsPK:May9prep,Vostochnyy/Rogozin,Magnitskiy/Roldugin,Navalnyy'smaneuvers
http://cpkr.ru/ru/analytics/25-aprelya-1-maya-navalnyy-vyhodit-iz-igry
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Senttime: 05/01/201611:24:24PM
Subject: magnitskiy
Attachments: magnitsky001.pdf
Senttime: 05/01/201609:44:48AM
To: JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Subject: thefrieddocument
Itsquiteafrustratingread.Nodoubtthesearentgoodguys(seetheofficialbiosontheWIREsite).
Buttheinfobelowissketchy'toputitmildly(doesyoursonusethatterm)?Itallpromptsmorequestions.
ButalsokeepinmindtheyarebudswithToria.SheexplainedittomeasaJewishthingwhateverthatmaymean.
Whatfollowsiskeyedtothepointsinthedocumentyousent
1)Ifhehasdocuments,heshouldsharethem.TheNovoselovroleonthePutincaseisinthepublicdomain.EvenappearsintheWhoIs
MrPutinfilm,explainingtherationaleforthebarterdeals(manhasguts).
2)itusesGunvor:okaysowhat?Gunvorisalegittradingoperation-wedneedmore(evidenceitengagedinkickbacks,forexample)
3)CheckwithKelly.Inlightofthedeclineinoilpricesthedealdoesntlookthatgood,butIdontknowwhetherthatwasreallythecase
atthetimeofthesale.
IrememberMilovcriticizeditbasedonitsincreaseofthestateshareintheoilindustry,butIdontrecallhiscomplainingabouttheprice
perse.Therewasaconcernaboutwherethemoneywouldcomefrom,butthatsdifferent.WedohavestuffthatPutininretrospectis
nothappyaboutthedeal.
AsforLetterOneavoidingsanctionsetc.Purenonsense.Neitherguyissanctioned.Putinwantedthemtoinvesttheprofitfromthesale
inRussia,buttheyveignoredhim(LetterOneisanexample).TheydoinvestinUkrainetoo(asmallgascompany,butitsnotclearthat
itsinlinewithGazpromsdesires)
4)ThesemimythicalKrolldocument(s):Krollsroleonthepartymoneyetc.hasbeengreatlyexaggerated.byKroll.Atonetime,Anne
sawitandconcludeditwasntmuch.Ifwhatsallegedhereistrue,itsprobablyfromopensources.Evenleftthegovernmentpostin
December1992,btw.
5)TheVolckerreportwasalwaysabitweird.IrememberVoloshinsnamewasinit.WhenPeterRaskedmeaboutitIsaidsomething
alongthelinesthat,whilecorrupt,IdoubtedVoloshinwasstupid.DittoAlfaEcho-Idontruleitsparticipationout,butIdwantmore.
ItsofficialUSpolicytosupportBushehr.
6)See3above.ItsnotclearthatAven/FridmansinvestmentsinUkraineareinlinewithKremlinpolicy.Alfaisabankbanksissueloans.
SowhatsthebigdealwithitsloanstoUVZ?ItsalossmakingenterpriseandAlfahasthreatenedbankruptcyproceedingsovernon-
payment.IfailtseehowthatsattheKremlinrequest.
7)IknownothingaboutKarimovastiestoAlfa.ShehasthemtoUsmanov.AnditsUsmanovandShvidler(Abramovich)whoallegedly
bribedShuvalov,notAlfa(#8).
8)AsearchinIntegrumonmagnitskiyandalfagetsfivehits.NotaoneisaboutAlfalaunderingMagnitskiymoney,letalonea
centralrole.Whyrepeatsomethingsoeasilycheckable.WasitsomesortofAlfasubsidiary?Ifso,nameit.SeeaboveonShuvalov-
someofthemoneymayhavewentthroughAlfa,butthatsnotwhatwentpublic.(tidbit:oneofthefolksexposingShuvalovis
NatalyaPelevinthatsamewhosharedKasyanovsbedandchattedaboutananti-Navalnyyfront)
9)thisisthewaythecountryworks.
10)Averyseriousallegationthatrequiresinvestigation.Heshouldprovidemorei.e.whatdoessharedpremisesmean?Wehaveformer
Alfafellowsworkinginthebuilding.
11)Yesitdoes.
12)FSBsanctions?-beforethisOleshaguy,weprobablyshouldputViktorVoroninonthesanctionslistforhisroleINtheMagnitskiy
affair.Thatsaid,ifhehasdocuments,Idbeinterestedinseeingthem.
Senttime: 05/02/201603:25:09PM
Subject: InternetNotes2May2016
Attachments: IN2May16.docx
InternetNotes2May2016
Noteonnotes(ZolotovandtheSecurityCouncil)
LatyninacirclesbacktotheIndependentOilCompany,VTB,Sechin,Khudaiynatov(Anotherviolinist?
Shumkov/Lesinandthepool)
Soloveyontheintendedaudiencefortheinformationattacks
StanovayaonkompromataboutPutin(PutinismorevulnerablethanheseemsbutWesternmassmediaisnotthethreat
OpenRussiahasmoreonPutinstiestoorganizedcrimeSpainputsDeputyFSKNDirectorAulovonawantedlist)
Strelkov:Nomurdercharges?
LandtobegivenawayintheFarEast
Noteonnotes(ZolotovandtheSecurityCouncil)
FirstwereadthatwiththecreationoftheNationalGuard,ZolotovwastobeelevatedtothestatusofpermanentSecurityCouncil
member.Gryzlovwastobetakenoffthecouncil.ThenwereadthatPutinhadissuedanorderreversingtheearlierdecision,with
ZolotovdesignatedanordinarySovBezmember(Seethe12Aprilnotes).Buthesstilllistedasapermanentmember:
http://www.kremlin.ru/structure/security-council/members
LatyninacirclesbacktotheIndependentOilCompany,VTB,Sechin,Khudaiynatov(Anotherviolinist?
Shumkov/Lesinandthepool)
Fromthe22Februarynotes:
[OnSechin,Khudaiynatov,anda$4billioncredit,LatyninareferstoapostbyMaksimBlant:http://mblant.livejournal.com/669.html
EduardKhudaiynatovwasgeneraldirectorofRosneftwhenSechinwasvicepremier.KhudaiynatovwasSechinsshadow.WhenSechincameback
toRosneft,KhudaiynatovcreatedtheIndependentOilandGasCompany(NNK)andNNKbegantoaccumulateassetsandlicenses,manyofthem
rathersmallassets.ThemainassetacquisitionwasMusaBazhayevsAlliancegroup.Thetransactionwasmadein2014,whenRussiawasalready
undersanctions,andtheassumedvalueofthedealwas$4billion.ButwheredidKhudaiynatov,whohadalwaysbeenahiredmanager,nota
businessowner,getthemoney?AndSechinhadbeenconsolidatingoilassetsinRosneftthenhisownformerrighthandmakessuchan
acquisition.
Blanttellsthestory:Rosneftdeposited$4billioninVTB,whilesimultaneouslyNNKwasgivena$4billioncredit.Makingabankdepositthat
instantlybecomesacreditisacommonmoney-launderingmethodinRussia.WheredidRosneftgetthe$4billion?Latyninathinksitwassalesto
China.LatyninaalsobelievesthesalepricewasjackedupandpartofthetransactionwasKhudaiynatovgettingakickbackformakingthedeal
onRosneftsbehalf.Comment:ImnotsureIfollowallthisisthedeposittocredittransactionillegal?Howisitmoneylaundering?Anyway,
LatyninasaysthatwithallRosneftsfinancialtroubles,SechinwantedVTBtogiveitsmoneybackandVTBisnotplayingalong.Idont
understandthatbitofthestoryatallhadntNNKacquiredthecompanyonRosneftsbehalf?ThatswhatLatyninaisclaiminghere.Blant
referredtoprotocolsfromaRosneftboardmeetingshowingthatthetransactionwasatalossforRosneft(Comment:OK,sothepricewastoohigh
toaccountforthekickbackLatyninaalsosaysthatthetermsofthedeposit-to-loandealwerealoserforRosneft.SowhenshesaidRosneft
wanteditsmoneyback,maybeitwantedbackthelossonthedeposit-to-loantransaction).LatyninagoesontoimplythatshethinksSechinhas
beenusingNNKtogoafteroilassetsforawhilelikeBashneft.NNKmadeSistemaanoffer,notRosneft,ontheasset.AndSistemas
Yevtushenkovwoundupunderhousearrest(See,forinstance,the30October2014notes)So,regardingtheNNKpurchaseofAlliancegroup,
Rosneftwasfinancingthepurchase(ataloss)whiledemandingmoneyfromtheNationalWelfareFund]
Comment:SoitappearedthataRosneftthatwasundersanctionswasusingNNK,notundersanctions,asavehicle
formakingacquisitionsbuttherewasthatmoneylaunderingpartthatIwonderedabout.Inherprogramlastweek,
LatyninaaskedwhetherNNKwastheequivalentofRolduginsoffshoreanotherviolinistbeingusedtolaunder
moneyacquiredbydubiousmeans.Theacquisition,claimedLatynina,whosetermswerenotgoodforRosneft,was
reallyaputupdealdesignedtofunnelandlegalizeshadymoney.Thetransactionfeeakickbackwaspaidto
Khudaiynatovaspartofthelaunderingdeal:
http://echo.msk.ru/programs/code/1752700-echo/Latyninasaysthedeposit-to-credittransactionisacommoncoverformoney
launderingSheaddsthatshethinkstheapprovalforthedeal(NNKpurchasingBazhayevsAlliancegroup)wentallthewayup
toPutinatthetime,everyonefiguredoilpriceswouldgoup,buttheydidntButtheressomethingelsetheresaconnection
betweenthedealandthelateDmitriyShumkov(Seethenotesfrom8and10December2015and5and11January).Latynina
saysthatswhyshecamebacktothestory,thoughtherewasalsoKhudaiynatovspurchaseofavillainPorotfino(for25Million
Euro)in2015,afterPutintoldeverybodynottobuyanypropertyabroad.TheRolduginoffshorewasshutdownin2014after
Crimea.By2012,itbecameclearthattheAmericansweretakinganegativeattitudetosuchoffshoressotheywerenolonger
safeandPutingavetheorderonnoforeignproperty.ButKhudaiynatovboughthisvillain2015.
ShegetsbacktoShumkovhewasclosetoBazhayev,andwasasometimebusinesspartnerofhis.Hewasmakingbig
investments,wasinvolvedinbigdealsinMoscowwhenhereportedlycommittedsuicide.Wheredidhegetthemoneyforthose
deals?LatyninathinkshegotthemoneyfromthestrangeNNK/Bazhayevdeal.Later,hesupposedlycommittedsuicidewas
hedesperatebecausehehadbeencaughtsiphoningmoneyofffromthedeal?Washekilledbecausehewasstealing?(Comment:
ShedoesnttelluswhyshebelievesShumkovstolemoneyfromtheNNS/Bazhayevdeal).LatyninasaystheShumkov
storyremindsherofLesinalsofounddead,butinWashington,adeathshesayswasmostlikelyanunfortunateincidentrelatedto
Lesinsextravaganthabits.ButLesinlosthispostafteradealthatwassimilartothedealKhudaiynatovmade.IntheLesincase,
therewasKovalchuksGazpromMedia.ProfMediawaspurchasedforGazpromMediaatapriceof$600million.Theword
wasthatthesalepricewasabovemarketvalue.Lesinhadbeenloudlybraggingaboutthat.Andtheviolinistaffairletusknow
that20%ofVideoInternationalbelongedtothatviolinistwithaStradivarius.SomaybetheLesinstorywasntaboutthe
Kovalchuks(Comment:OneversiyaexplainingLesinsdeathwasthathewaskilledpartlybecauseheowedKovalchuk
money.OneofthePanamaPapersoffshoreswasconnectedtoLesin).
LatyninaagaincirclesbacktoShumkovshegoesonaboutthepool(basseiyn).Thepoolisasecond,informalbudget,a
personalpartofthetreasury.Itexistedsemi-unofficiallyandtheysaythatitprovidesthesalariesforhighly-placedofficials.Butit
wasmainlyforemergencyexpenditures,likeCrimea.Latyninasaysshethinksthatitbecameapparentthatthepooldidnothave
hasmuchmoneyinitaswasthought,andthosethathadtheirhandsonthetapsthatfedthepoolhadtheirownstreams.Ifthepool
wasleakinglikeasieve,well,thatcouldleadtosomeinterestingre-distributionsofauthorityintheelite.Wealreadyhavethewell-
knownstoryofYakuninsresignation,afteritcametolightthathissonhadacquiredcitizenshipintheUK.Therewasthe
interestingstoryofVEBsbankruptcyhowmuchdidVEBhandoverforthepurchaseofSibuglementin2014?$1.8billion?
Wasntthatalotforthatcompany?UralvagonzavodboughttheZarechniymine,theRussianCoalHoldingtogether,thatwas45
billion.Didthatreflecttheirrealvalue?Latyninaendsbysayingshethinkstherewillbemorestoriesoftheleakypoolandthat
Shumkovwillnotbetheonlyvictim
Comment:Thepool,asLatyninacaststhisstory,mayalsobesomethinglikeanobshak,amafiaorganizations
slushfund.ShesimplyingherethatbothLesinandShumkovabusedthepoolandthatothershaveaswell,leadingto
someshakeupsandmaybesomemurders.SheisalsosayingthattheNNKtransactionandsomeothersweremoney
launderingoperationsheld,apparently,onbehalfofthepoolandsomewhohadaccesstoit,suchasRoldugin.
LetsbackupandseewhatdotswecanconnectInthe8December2015notes,wereadthattherewasakompromat
warunderwayandthatShumkovsdeathmightbeassociatedwithit.OneofShumkovspatronswasanassistantof
Chaykas,AleksandrZvyagintsev,whowasdismissedfollowingthescandaloverkompromatonChaykasson(See
the11Januarynotes).Recently,therehavebeennumerouskompromatdumpsonelites,anumberoftheminvolving
foreignproperty.InDecember,aroundthesametimeasthekompromatattacksonChayka,therewerestoriesinthe
notesonPutinslinkstoorganizedcrime(Seethe29and31December2015notes).InNovemberandDecember,we
sawstoriesonTikhonovaandherallegedhusband,Shamalov(See,forinstance,the10and11November2015
notesandthenotesfrom21December).Therewasaniteminthe8FebruarynoteslinkingChaykassonto
Shumkov.
RecallthatNavalniywasbehindacallforacheckuponYakuninandhisoperationsatRussianRailwaysandthat
MillenniumBankwaslinkedtoRR.RRandArtyomChaykaownedsharesinthebank,whichhaditslicenserevoked
(Seethe8Februarynotes).ChaykaclaimedBrowderandNavalniywerebehindthedumpsagainsthim(Seethe14
December2015notesbackinthe21December2015notes,YablokosSergeyMitrokhinsaidthatNavalniysattacks
onChaykawereorderedThisspring,BrowderandNavalniywereattackedbyRossiyaTVasforeignagents.See
the11Aprilnotes)sowecircledbacktotheMagnitskiyaffair.ThenRolduginandthePanamaPaperscamealong
(4April)andRolduginsoffshorewassubsequentlytiedtotheMagnitskiyaffairasamoneylaunderingplatformfor
thecashstoleninthatcase(27and28April).TheNekrasovfilmappearedtobeanotherreplytothekompromat
dumpsthatrelatedbacktotheMagnitskiyaffair(27April).
Inthe4Aprilnotes,IsuggestedthattheattacksonKasyanovwereconnectedtothepreviouskompromatonRussian
elites,especiallythePanamaPapers.Mycomments:
[LooksliketheKremlinanticipatedthemediareactiontothePanamapapersandsoughttosoftentheimpactbyshowingthattheoppositionwas
dirty,too.And,asIwrotelastweek,IthinkKhodorkovskiy,someelitesinRussia,andpeopleassociatedwiththemareprobablyamajorsource
oratleastamajordistributorofdirtliketheBaevskiymaterialwesawlastweek(Seethe31Apriland1Marchnotes),sotheresabitof
retaliationgoingon.TheKremlinisshowingthatitcanplaythatgameaswell.IdoubttheillicitliaisonintheKasyanovvideowillshockanybody,
norwillthecorruptionmentionedbyKasyanov,butthatsnotthepoint.]
BaevskiywasanassociateoftheRotenbergswhohadhandledapartmentpurchasesforPutinswomen,including
TikhonovaandKabayeva(Seethenotesfrom31Marchand1April).
SoloveycommentedontheseinformationattacksonRussianvlastandtheirlikelyintendedaudienceinthe1April
notes:
[Soloveyontheintendedaudiencefortheinformationattacks
http://vk.com/id244477574?w=wall244477574_16316%2Fall
Thetalkaboutinformationattacksfollowsclassictheoryvaccinatethepublic,thatis,warnthemthatenemiesintendslander.The
questionis,justwhoisbeingvaccinated?TheRussianpublic?Theyllbrushoffforeignexposs.Theywontsurpriseanyone,oropenanyones
eyes,or,andthisisthemainthing,changeanyonesattitudetovlast.TheseexpossareaimedprimarilyattheWesternelite.Theyareindifferent
tothewarningsofRussianofficials
Comment:Ithinkhesrightaboutthetargetaudienceforthekompromatdumps,whichdontreallytellusanythingnew.IthinkKhodorkovskiy
andsomeRussianeliteswhowouldlikeitiftherewasnotanotherPutintermareintendingtohelppreventanytalkofliftingsanctionsatthis
time,hopingforincreasedpressureonPutin.MaybesomeoftheelitearewillingtoenduremorepainnowfortheprospectofPutinsleavingthe
Kremlinin2018.Belkovskiy,whoIthinkhasbeenworkingforKhodorkovskiy,hasbeenseemingto(sometimes)saythatanexitthatwouldnot
puthimindangerisstillpossibleforPutin.Pavlovskiysaidthatearlierthisweek(Seethe30Marchnotes).Khodorkovskiyhasbeenalittle
different,sayingthatthosenotimplicatedincrimeshavenoreasontofearachangeinregime.Whenkompromatwarsaregoingon,though,it
cangetalittleblurrymaybeothersmighttossoutsomedirtonrivals,too.Theremaybemorethanonesourceforthematerialandmorethan
onemotivation.]
ButStanovayathoughtthatthecumulativeimpactofthekompromatmightberelevantinthelongrunandcouldturn
Putinsbaseagainsthim.Fromthe31Marchnotes:
[StanovayaonkompromataboutPutin(PutinismorevulnerablethanheseemsbutWesternmassmediaisnotthethreatOpenRussiahas
moreonPutinstiestoorganizedcrimeSpainputsDeputyFSKNDirectorAulovonawantedlist)
Seeyesterdaysnotes
StanovayawonderswhetherPutinshouldbeworriedabouttheinformationattacksPeskovhasmentionedRightnow,allthecriticismsaimedat
Putinarecomingfromchannelsthathaveanaxetogrindthenon-systemicoppositionandtheWest.Butwhenthecriticismcomesfrom,say,the
protestinglong-haultruckers,thenthatchangesthepicturequiteabit.Whenthefifthcolumnintheeyesofvlastbecomesthenarod,thena
revolutionisunderwayPutinlessandlessseemstobelievethathisratingcouldfallasaconsequenceofhisownmistakes.Itsnothardtosee
thatPutinisntjustsatisfiedwiththeresultsofhisrule,heisproudofthem.Anditwillbehardforhimtobelieveintherealityofpopular
disappointmentwhenitmanifestsitselfVlastalsodoesnotunderstandthatKrymnashintheeyesofthegeneralpublicmeanswhatitsays
NASH--notKrymPutinaorKrymRotenberga,butKrymnash,thatis,Putinisseenonlyastheinstrumentofre-establishinghistoricaljustice.
CrimeashouldhavebeenRussianwithorwithoutPutin.
Putinismorevulnerablethanitseems.ButthemainsourcesofathreatarenotNavalniyorWesternmassmedia.ThethreattoPutinwillappear
whentheaccusationsarecomingfromhisownelectorateAnti-Putininformationwillbereplenished,expectingconsumersanditistheywhowill
raisethequestionofjustice,unlessGKChP-2intervenes]
TorecapandformulateapictureofwhatsgoingonWithelectionsapproachingandaneconomiccrisisunderway,
Putinsenemies(Khodorkovskiy,andperhapspeopleintheRussianelitediscontentedwiththewaythingshavegone)
aresteppingupthekompromatattacks.TheMagnitskiyaffairandthePanamapaperspointtomassivemoney
launderingandassettransferoperationsdoneonthebehalfofhighlevelplayers,withtrustedfigureslikeRoldugin
actingasoperatorsofthemechanismsinvolved.Themoneylaunderersmaybothtryandcreatecleanmoneyfor
thepoolandlegitimizefundsthathavewounduptherefromoperationslikethetaxrebateschemesconnectedtothe
Magnitskiyaffair.Putinisnotinvolvedinthisdirectlyorinanyhands-onway.Thelaunderers/acquisitionoperatives
maytryandcleanupmoneyforlowerlevelplayersliketheMVDandTaxServicepeopleinvolvedintheMagnitskiy
affair.TheyarerewardedfortheireffortswithkickbacksorsharesincompanieslikeVideoInternationalorRosneft.
Thepoolcouldoperate,atleastpartly,likeamafiaobshakkeyplayerskickinfundsthatareavailableformajor
assetacquisitionsandusethepoolasadepositformoneythatneedstobelaundered.
SomeoftheplayershaveabusedtheiraccesstothepoolmaybeLesin,maybeYakunin.PerhapsShumkovwas
mixedupinoperationsthatcostthepooltoomuchandangeredkeypoolmembers.AtthetimeofYakuninsouster
andespeciallyafterhiswarningtootherelitesIthoughtthatwewereseeingsignsoffrictionintheinnereliteata
timeofdiminishingresources,asmallercorruptionpie,andtensionsovertheresultsofsanctions(Seethe13January
notes,forinstance).SoIrepeatthattheremaybemorethanoneultimatesourceofkompromatonPutinandother
playersIcouldseeanangryYakuninmayberetaliatingwithdirthesurelyknowsabout.
NavalniyandBrowderareplayersintheirownright,aswellaschannelsfortransmittingkompromat.IthinkNavalniy
isstillwithusandnotinprisonbecausehegetsatleastsituationalcoverfromwhicheverKremlintowermightbe
usinghimatagivenmoment.Heisassociatedwithanti-Putinforces,butheprobablygetssomehelpfrompeoplein
theelitemaybeAlfaGrouppeoplewhoarealsothinkingthatitstimeforachange(Seethenotesfrom11
January17May201529December2014and6November2014).
Anotherwaytothinkofthepoolisaplacewhereplayerslowerdownthecorruptionfoodchainmaykickinapieceof
theactionfortheirsuperiors.Questions:Howdoesallthisoperateinpractice?Whoallisapartofwhatmustbean
intricatenetworkofinterlockingchannelsformoneylaunderingandassettransactionsinasystemthathasaccessto
thepool?Whoaccountsforthemoneyinthepoolandwhereitmayendup?Idoubtthateverypool-connected
transactioniscoordinatedwithotherplayersthereisprobablyahighdegreeofindependentoperationwithinthe
network,withnotallofthoseinvolvedawareofalltheothers.Thenetworkthathasaccesstothepoolandincludes
elaboratemoneylaunderingchannelsandavenuesforassettransactionsprobablyarosespontaneouslyoutofafew
dealsandgrewfromthere,workingoutitsownmodeofactivityandgroundrules.Thepeoplewhopulledoffthescam
intheMagnitskiycasewereoperatingontheirown,thoughtheywereconnectedtopeoplehigherupthefoodchainin
variousways,andthentheytappedintothechannelsthatwerelinkedtoRolduginandthepool.Buthowarethe
detailsworkedoutandwhodoestheplanningandorganization?Weareonlyhearingaboutaverysmallpartofwhat
goesoninthegutsofwhatmustbeanelaborateinformalmachinethatnooneplayerprobablyknowsinsideandout.
RussiasoverlappingmoneylaunderingchannelsarevastandinvolvelotsofgamesapartfromtheMagnitskiy
(probablyalliedwithelementsintheProsecutorsoffice)andtheFSBanditsalliesintheInvestigativeCommittee.
Thebattlewassaidtobeovercontrollingmoneylaunderingchannelsseethe31Marchnotes.
Towindthisup,PutinseestheKhodorkovskiy-Kasyanov-Navalniy-BrowdertypesasaunitedfrontintheWestswar
againsthim.Heisawareoffrictionsintheeliteandofthepossibilityofproteststhatcouldplayintothehandsofhis
enemiesordissatisfiedRussianeliteswhomightbelookingforanalternative.OnesuchalternativecouldbeSergey
Shoygu(Seethe8Aprilnotes,forinstance).SoVVPcreatestheNationalGuardundertrustedbodyguardZolotovas
hispersonalpalaceguard.
Latyninacarriedoninthispastweekendsprogram:http://echo.msk.ru/programs/code/1756772-echo/
WhycouldntRussianvlastuncoverthepeopleresponsibleforthescamintheMagnitskiyaffair?Itwasntbecausetheywereso
highlyplaced.Itwasbecausetheywereusingthesamemoneylaunderingwashingmachinethatsomecompletelydifferent
peoplewerealsousingincludingRoldugin.ItwasntthatRolduginwasinvolvedintheMagnitskiyaffairitsthatheandthe
othersusedthesamewashingmachine
LatyninaalsotakessometimetodiscreditOlegLure,whotestifiedinanAmericancourtinthecaseinvolvingDenisKatsyvanda
moneylaunderingcaselinkedtotheMagnitskiyaffairshehasLurebasicallyrepeatingalotoftheclaimsmadebyNekrasovin
hisfilmaboutMagnitsky(citedabove).LureclaimsBrowderhiredNavalniy.ShepointsoutthatLurewasinjailfordefrauding
SenatorSlutskerandshealsonotesthatLurehasclaimedthathesawdocumentsindicatingthatNavalniywasaspy(thesame
documentsshownonNTVsattackpieceagainstNavalniyandBrowder).
Strelkov:Nomurdercharges?
Fromthe25Aprilnotes:
[Strelkovspostonthemurdercharges:http://m.vk.com/wall347260249_2127
Strelkovsaysthattwomenwhoidentifiedthemselvesaspoliceofficershadvisitedhismothersresidenceandtoldherthathewasbeingcharged
fortwomurdersinSt.PetersburgtheywantedtoknowwhethershehadseenhersonaroundthetimeofthekillingsSowhatweretheyupto?
Whataretheytryingtoshowme?,asksStrelkov.Surkovandcompanyshouldnotbotherorganizingthesekindsofvileactionswontworkwith
me.TheywontstopmefromdoingwhatIhavetodoImreadyforanythingtheycanthrowatme]
http://m.vk.com/wall347260249_3529
Aboutthecriminalchargessupposedlymadeagainstmemaybethereisacaseandmaybenot.SofarIhavenoofficialwordon
that.TheressupposedtobeapublicmeetingonSuvorovSquareon2May,butnobodywillbetherehowmanypeoplewill
thinkameetinginhonoroffallencountrymenismoreimportantthanshashlikonaholiday?
LandtobegivenawayintheFarEast
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russians-given-free-land-in-countrys-far-east/567729.html
PresidentVladimirPutinhasapprovedalawgivingRussiancitizensfreeplotsoflandinthecountry'sFarEast,theInterfaxnews
agencyreportedMonday.
AllcitizenswillbeentitledtoapplyforuptohectareoflandintheKamchatka,Primorye,Khabarovsk,Amur,MagadanandSakhalin
regions,therepublicofSakha,ortheJewishandChukotkaautonomousdistricts.
Thelandcanbeusedforanylawfulpurposebutcanonlyberented,sold,orgivenawayafteraninitialfive-yearwaitingperiod,according
tothebill.
TheprogramisoneofanumberofinitiativesaimedatboostingtheeconomyinRussia'sFarEast,includingtheconstructionofthenew
Vostochnycosmodrome.ArecentdealalsosawanumberofChinesecompaniessetonrelocatingtothearea.
Senttime: 04/29/201601:36:23PM
Subject: InternetNotes29April2016
Attachments: IN29April16.docx
InternetNotes29April2016
MorefromRosbaltontheNemtsovmurderinvestigation(Khatayev)
EuropeanTVchannelholdsupairingNekrasovsfilmonMagnitskiy
KashinontheMagnitskiyaffair/Rolduginconnection
ZolotovandKudrin:WhatstheKremlinupto?
NovayaGazetaontheendofthedemocraticcoalition
AcrisisintheRussianopposition?(Kasyanov)
BelkovskiyonNavalniy/Yashinvs.Kasyanov
Consumerconfidenceatalowpoint
NODactivistsattackparticipantsatMemorialevent
LavrovonRussiasaimingforselfsufficiency
MorefromRosbaltontheNemtsovmurderinvestigation(Khatayev)
TheInvestigativeCommittee(SK)islookingforaChechenMVDofficer,AslambekKhatayev,whovisitedtheapartmentinMoscowwhereRuslanGeremeyevwasstayingandmetwithothersuspectsinMoscowhotelsKhatayevwasinMoscowonassignmentaspartofa
securitydetailforChechenofficials(Comment:Whichiswhatweheardaboutsomeoftheothersuspects),thoughitisnotclearwhotheofficialorofficialswere.InvestigatorsbelieveKhatayevleftMoscowforChechnyaInvestigatorsnowsaythatallofthesuspects
wereinvolvedindebtcollectingtheyreceivedhalfofrecovereddebts.Whenthedebtcollectorsencounteredadebtowedbysomeonewithconnections,theycalledinGeremeyevastheirheavyartilleryComment:Recalltheitemwesawbackinthe19February
notesonthebrutaltacticsemployedbydebtcollectorsandcomplaintsagainstthem.
Heresmore:
http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-update-april-27-2016/
AttorneysVadimProkhorovandOlgaMikhailovawhorepresentstheinterestsofZhannaNemtsova,daughterofslainoppositionleaderBorisNemtsovsayseveralmoreindividualswereinvolvedinNemtsov'smurderwhohavenotbeenindicted,RBC.rureports.
TheattorneyssubmittedastatementtodaytoNikolaiTutevich,theseniorspecialcasesinvestigatorassignedtoNemtsov'scase.NemtsovwasassassinatedFebruary27,2015andthecasehasnotyetcometotrial,althoughfoursuspectsareincustodyonchargesofperpetratingor
assistinginthemurder.
ThestatementreferencescasefilesthatindicatethatRussia'sInvestigativeCommitteebelievesthatRuslanGeremeyev,anofficeroftheSeverBattalionwithintheInteriorMinistryInternalTroposinChechnya,organizedthemurder,alongwithhisbrotherArtur.Thesetroopswererecently
reorganizedintotheNationalGuard,andsomehavespeculatedthatthisrestructuringwasmeanttoreininarmedforcesthathadcometoberegardedas"thepersonalarmy"ofChechenleaderRamzanKadyrov.
AccordingtotheRussianregistryofbusinesses,ArturGeremeyevistheownerofoneoftheapartmentsthatfiguresinthecase,no.46VeyernayaStreet.(Forourcompleteanalysisofthesuspects'movementsandlocations,seehereseealsoourtranslationofNovayaGazeta's"How
BorisNemtsovWasMurdered."
Theattorneys'petitionalsomentionsAlibekDelimkhanov,commanderoftheSovetBattalionandrelativeofthepowerfulChechenStateDumamemberAdamDelimkhanov,aswellastwoothersnotpreviouslymentioned:AslanbekKhatayev,anofficeroftheChechenInteriorMinistryand
ShamkhanTazabayev--apersonwiththisnameholdsapostasdeputydirectoroftheLeninDistrictCenterforPublicSocialServicesinChechnya).Finally,SuleymanGeremeyev,apowerfulChechensenatorrelatedtoRuslanGeremeyev,andVakhaGeremekhev,headoftheDistrict
DepartmentofInteriorAffairs[thepolice]forShelkovskyDistrictinChechnyaareindicatedinthestatementaswell.TheattorneyshaverepeatedlyaskedforSuleymanandVakhaGeremeyevtobeinterrogated.Investigatorshaverefused.
RBCsitessourcesthatsayinvestigatorsdidtrytoissuechargesinabsentiaagainstRuslanGeremeyev,butbothtimesAleksandrBastrykin,headoftheInvestigativeCommittee,turneddowntherequest,sayingtherewasinsufficientevidence.
NovayaGazetaobtainedascreenshotofasurveillancecameraatthePresidentHotelinMoscow,whereChechenassassinswithcontractsaresaidtogather,showingRuslanGeremeyevl,whoreportedlyfledRussiabutmayhavereturnednow,andasuspectwhoisalreadyincustody,
TamerlanEskerkhanov.
RBCiscurrentlyseekingclarificationfromtheInvestigativeCommittee.
AsRBCreportedearlier,inJanuary,Tutevichdecidedtoseparateoutfromthemainmurdercasethecaseofthesupposedorganizersoftheassassination,RuslanGeremeyevandhisdriver,RuslanMukhudinov,alongwithsixothersnotnamedwhoweresaidtoproposetoZaurDadayev,a
Severofficerdesignatedasthemainperpetrator,tokillNemtsovfor15millionrubles(about$229,000).
TheNemtsovfamilyattorneyshavecalledforkeepingthecasestogetherbecauseotherwiseitisnotclearwhytheperpetratorshadamotivationtokillNemtsov.Astheirstatementindictates(translationbyTheInterpreter):
"FromthematerialsofthecriminalcaseitfollowsthattheinvestigationavoidedaproperinvestigationofNemtsov'smurder,anddidnotestablishthemotivesforhismurderwhichguidedtheorganizers.Moreover,adecisionswasartificiallyandunlawfullymadebytheinvestigationtoend
thepreliminaryinvestigationonthemain,so-called"parentcase."
TheattorneysbelievetheinvestigatorsshouldhavekeptthecasesunitedandpursuedtheleadsmorevigorouslyinsteadofclosingacasethatpointstopowerfulindividualsintheentourageofChechenleaderRamzanKadyrov.
Basically,topintheorganizationofthemurderonanofficer'sdriverinaseparatecasethatwon'tbetried(becausehehasfledabroad),thenonlyfocusingontheimmediatefactsoftheperpetrationofthemurder--astheyhavedonewithsomanycasesinvolvingpubliccriticsbefore--the
InvestigativeCommitteeisindicatingonceagainthatitcan'ttakeonKadyrov.
ThusspeculationthattheNationalGuardreorganizationhas"reinedin"KadyrovmaynothavemeritunlesstheKremlinbelievesitcancontrolKadyrovgoingforwardbyclosingthebookonhispastcrimes.
--CatherineA.Fitzpatrick
EuropeanTVchannelholdsupairingNekrasovsfilmonMagnitskiy
Seeyesterdaysnotes.
http://www.rferl.mobi/a/magnitsky-film-on-hold-european-tv-channel-arte/27704772.html
BRUSSELS--AEuropeantelevisionchannelwillnotairacontroversialnewdocumentarynextweekonSergeiMagnitsky,thelawyerwhohelpeduncoveramassivetaxfraudcaseinRussiaandlaterdiedinaRussianjail,aspreviouslyplanned.
Claude-AnneSavin,aspokeswomanforARTEEuropean,saidtheFranco-Germanchannelisreviewingthefilminresponsetocomplaintsaboutitsaccuracyto"makesurethefilmisclean."
DespitethecancellationoftheMay3airingofthefilm,titledTheMagnitskyAct--BehindTheScenes,Savinsaidthechannelstillmightairit"inafewweeks."
ARTEpulledthepromotionalteaseforthefilmfromitswebsite.
LawyerSergeiMagnitsky
Thefilm,whichwasshotbyRussiandocumentaryfilmmakerAndreiNekrasov,wasscheduledtopremiereattheEuropeanParliamentonApril27.ThatshowingwascanceledfollowingcomplaintsfromMagnitsky'srelativesandformercolleagues.GermanparliamentarianMarieluiseBeckalsocomplainedthat
footageofherstaffwasusedwithoutpermission.
Magnitskyblewthewhistleona$230milliontax-fraudschemeanddiedin2009whilebeingheldonfraudchargesinaMoscowpretrialdetentionfacility.Hisfamilyandfriendssaythat,priortohisdeath,hewasbeaten,tortured,anddeniedmedicalcare.
WilliamBrowder,aU.S.-bornBritishinvestorwhoemployedMagnitskyandhasledtheinternationalcampaigntoholdMoscowaccountableforhisdeath,sayshesentARTEalistof"factualerrors"inthefilmandwarnedthemtheywouldbelegallyaccountableforknowinglybroadcastingfalsestatements.
"Itisonethingtohavefreespeech,butitisanotherthingtotrytomanipulateandtouselies,innuendo,andfabricationstomakeapointwhichisn'ttrue,"BrowdertoldRFE/RL."That'swhytherearelibellawsouttheretoprotectpeoplefromthistypeofthing."
WilliamBrowder
"Themovieisjustacollectionofliesandfabrications,whichdesecratesthememoryofSergeiMagnitskyandchangesthewholestoryofhowhedied,"Browderadded.
BrowderscampaignonbehalfofMagnitskyresultedintheU.S.Congresspassingalawin2012sanctioningseveralRussianofficialsfortheirallegedinvolvementinthelawyersdeath.ThelawdeeplyangeredMoscow.
NekrasovhasproducedseveralfilmshighlycriticalofRussianPresidentVladimirPutin.HewasafriendofformerRussianFederalSecurityServiceofficerAleksandrLitvinenko,whowaskilledbyaradioactivesubstanceinLondonin2006.His2007documentaryaboutthatcasepremieredattheCannesFilm
FestivalandwasshowninMoscowattheSakharovCenterhumanrightsorganization.
His2010film,RussianLessons,aboutthe2008warbetweenRussiaandGeorgia,exposedfalsificationsandmanipulationsundertakenbyRussianstatetelevisionincoveringeventsbefore,during,andafterthatconflict.
ButhisMagnitskyfilmisdecidedlydifferent.NekrasovwroteanApril27blogpostthatthefilmchangedhis"consciousnessand,probably,mylife."
ThefilmassertsthatMagnitskywasnotbeatenwhileinpolicecustodyandthathedidnotmakeanyspecificallegationsagainstindividualsinhistestimonytoRussianauthorities,Nekrasovwrites.
InaninterviewwithRFE/RLonApril27,NekrasovsaidhebeganthefilmwiththeintentionoftellingthestoryofhowMagnitskyuncoveredthetaxfraudandwaskilledinordertosilencehim.
ThissequenceofeventshasbeenthoroughlydocumentedbyBrowderandothers--including,inpart,bytheKremlin'sownhumanrightscouncil.
Nekrasov,however,saysthatmakingthefilmchangedhismind.
"Ididn'tabandonthatnarrativeeasilybecauseIwasideologicallyveryclosetoBrowder,"hesaid."Iwasalsoaregimecritic,honestly,onalotofcounts.Butifwearenottellingthetruth,thenitmakesiteasierforthebadguystocarryondoingtheirbadthings."
TheabortedApril27screeningattheEuropeanParliamentwasorganizedbyFinnishlawmakerHeidiHautala,amemberoftheGreenParty.RebeccaHarms,presidentoftheGreensattheEuropeanParliament,wroteonTwitterthattheplannedscreeningwas"notaneventoftheGreens"groupinthelegislative
chamber.
Hautala,likeNekrasov,hasalongrecordofdefendinghumanrightsandofcriticizingRussia.Shewasasponsoroftheoriginal2010EuropeanParliamentresolutioncallingforEUmemberstatestoimposesanctionsagainstRussianofficialsinvolvedintheMagnitskycase,similartotheU.S.sanctions.
AccordingtoFinnishmedia,shehasalsobeenromanticallylinkedtoNekrasov.ShetoldtheEUObserverwebsiteonApril27that"weareclosefriendsI'veknownhim[for]manyyears."
"Itisveryimportanttoverifythefactsandlistentodifferentparties,"shesaidinaninterviewwithRFE/RL."I'mveryinterestedtoseewhattheconsequencesofthefilmofAndreiNekrasovwillbewhentheywillbeopenlydiscussed,openlyavailable,whenonedaytherewillbenoharassmentagainstthe
screeningofthisfilm."
AnotherorganizerofthecanceledBrusselspremierewasRussianlawyerNatalyaVeselnitskaya.SheisadefenselawyerforRussianbusinessmanDenisKatsyv,(Seethe28Aprilnotes)whoisthetargetofaU.S.federalcivilforfeiturecaseinNewYorkconcerningallegedmoneylaunderinglinkedtotheMagnitsky
case.
InNovember,aU.S.federalprosecutorsubmittedalettertothejudgeinthecasesayingthatVeselnitskaya,Katsyv,andothersinvolvedintheactionrackedupmorethan$50,000inexpensesontheU.S.governmentsdimeduringafour-daydepositioninNewYork.
Thecostsincludedatwo-nightstayatthePlazaHotel"ina$995/nightroomforNataliaVeselnitskaya,whowasnotdeposedanddidnotevenattendthedepositionsinperson,fortheweekendafterthedepositionshadconcluded,"U.S.AttorneyPreetBhararawroteintheletter.
"Ms.Veselnitskayaappearstohavestayedatalessexpensivehotelduringthedepositions,butmovedtothePlazaafterthedepositionsconcludedandonlyaftertheCourtorallystatedthattheGovernmentwouldberesponsibleforreimbursingDefendants'expenses,"Bhararaadded.
GermanlawmakerElmarBrok,chairmanoftheForeignAffairsCommitteeintheEuropeanParliament,toldRFE/RLtheefforttoshowthefilmattheparliamentwas"awrongidea."
"Thisisapieceofpropagandathatshouldnotbepartofourparliamentarywork,"hesaid.
Headdedthatheis"lookinginto"thematterofwhetherARTEshouldhavebeeninvolvedintheproject.Thechannelrelieson"financialsupportfromtheEuropeanUnion,"accordingtothechannel'swebsite,withthegoalto"producetelevisionprogramswhichareconducivetopromotingunderstandingand
cooperationbetweenEurope'snations."
PetrasAustrevicius,aLithuanianmemberoftheEuropeanParliamentwhoalsoservesontheForeignAffairsCommittee,toldRFE/RLthatthepushtoscreenthefilmforthechamberwasoneofseveralmoves"bytheRussianauthorities"inorder"toweakenWesternconfidenceinitspolicyline"andsecurea
reviewofEUsanctionsagainstRussialaterthisyear.
"AndIexpectmoreandmoreactionslikethisinthemonthstocome,"Austreviciusadded."Andprobablyinaverycreativeway."
KashinontheMagnitskiyaffair/Rolduginconnection
Seeyesterdaysnotes.
http://rus2web.ru/mneniya/gotovyi-li-myi-poverit-novoj-versii-ubijstva-magnitskog.html
ArewereadytobelievethatthemoneystolenintheMagnitskiyaffairwoundupinPutinspurse?TakeitastepfurtherarewereadytobelievethatthemoneywasstolenbyPutin?Thatsaquestionrightupthereinimportancewith,say,thequestionarewereadyto
believethattheFSBcarriedoutthe1999apartmentbombings?Insituationslikethisinthepast,RussianpublicopinionhassidedwithPutinjusttryandfindarespectablecriticofvlastwhoiswillingto,forinstance,saythatPutinblewuptheapartments.EkhoMoskvy,for
instance,maintainsapresumptionofinnocenceforPutinTheanswertothequestionabouttheMagnitskiyaffairmoneyandPutinwillbegivenbypeoplelikeSobchakandVenediktovAbetterquestionisarewereadytobelievethosewhowilldefendPutin?
ZolotovandKudrin:WhatstheKremlinupto?
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/the-kremlin-entrenching-itself?
mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWldZME0yWTNNVFpqWmpjMiIsInQiOiJ2bUVUTWg2UnhEd0FcL0RaZkJWdERvaStuWnpKREwrZzBpNVl4SlwvS3RDaFlJQjI2djU0UFlyMGt3WGFXQlhXcXowQ1czTklqaXQ1K2d1NHB5YkFFcDY2aFV0MldpZ0FCdExoR2VZdEM1aVJzPSJ9
TheKremlinIsEntrenchingItself
ByMaximTrudolyubov
TraditionaloppositioninRussia,negligiblysmallandweak,isnolongeratargetoftheKremlinsdesigns.Putinisnowdealingwithchallengesthatareinvisibletothenakedeye.Theyear2017willmarkthecentennialoftheRussianRevolutionanoccasiontoosymbolictoignore.Theyear2018willsee
presidentialelections,andPutinwillannouncewhetherornothewilltrytoremainintheKremlinforyetanotherterm.
Twomajorpoliticalprojects,bothlaunchedinAprilandbothinvolvingmenclosetoVladimirPutin,mayhelpusunderstandtheKremlinsthinkingaboutitsfuture.Oneprojecthastodowithdomesticsecuritytheotherisaboutstrategicpolicyplanning.BothwerelonginthemakingandaretheKremlins
responsestomountingeconomicandpoliticalpressures.
ThefirstprojectisPutinsdecision,announcedinearlyApril,tocreateanewsecurityagency,theNationalGuardofRussia.PutinchoseViktorZolotov,thelong-timeheadofthepresidentspersonalsecurityunitwhoservedasCommanderoftheRussianInteriorTroopsforthepasttwoyears,toleadthenew
force.TheInteriorTroops,InteriorAviation,OMON(riotpolice),SOBR(theRussianequivalentofSWATforce),asecuritycorporationformerlyrunbytheInteriorMinistry,theweaponslicensingdepartmentoftheInteriorMinistryallofthesestructures,numberingupto400,000members(roughly200,000of
themprofessionalmilitaryservicepersonnel)havenowbecomepartoftheNationalGuardremit.
Thebodyguard-in-chief,Zolotov,hasthusbeenelevatedtoaSecurityTsarofRussia.Allweapon-wieldingforces,withtheexceptionoftheFederalGuardServicetaskedwithprotectingtopofficials,andFSBssmallspecialforces,willnowreporttoZolotov,whowillinturnreportdirectlytoPutin.Throughthe
weaponlicensingservicehewillalsohaveeffectivecontroloverallprivatemilitaryandsecurityfirmsinRussia.
AnewcorpsofgendarmesisbeingcreatedattheexpenseoftheInteriorMinistry.Twoformersecurityagencies,adrugenforcementadministrationandanimmigrationagencyarebeingcutinsizeandputunderthecommandoftheInteriorMinister.Grom,aspecialforceforanti-drugspecialoperations,willalso
likelymovefromtheInteriortotheNationalGuard.TheSpecialCorpsofGendarmessecuritypolicethatexistedinRussiainthe19t handearly20t hcenturies,maybeseenasaprecursortothenewlycreatedforce.ItalsomaybecomparedtotheFrenchgendarmerieortheItaliancarabinieriratherthantheU.S.
NationalGuard,whichisareservemilitaryforce.NovisibledomesticthreatsseemtowarrantsuchamassivesecuritycentralizationinRussia.
ThesecondtellingdecisionisthatofgivingAlexeiKudrin,whoservedasFinanceMinisterfor11yearsandwasalsothefirstDeputyPrimeMinister,aleadingroleinthedraftingofafuturereformprogram.JustlikeZolotov,KudrinworkedwithPutinforalongtime.BothKudrinandPutinmovedfromSt.
PetersburgtoMoscowin1996attheinvitationofAnatolyChubais,thenBorisYeltsinschiefofstaff.KudrinwillnowchairtheCenterforStrategicResearch,athinktankonceclosetotheKremlin.
Kudrinistreadingcarefully.Headvocatesinstitutionalreform,placingjudiciaryandlawenforcementreformsattheforefrontofhisagenda,butstopsshortofcallingthecurrentsystemaccountableformismanagementandcorruption.Heevenletslipthewordperestroika,ataboointheKremlin,butonlyin
passing.ThisiscomfortablepoliticsfortheKremlin,aswellasformostpro-modernizationforceswithinRussiansociety.LittleseemedtoprecludePutinfromelevatingKudrintotheroleofareformtsarbutthepresidentdecidednotto.Kudrinsnewpositionfeelsunderwhelming.
Kudrinwasforcedtoleavethegovernmentin2011afterapublicrowwithPrimeMinisterDmitryMedvedevovermilitaryspending.In2012,KudrincreatedtheCommitteeofCivicInitiatives,anNGOwithamissiontohelpsocietyinfluencegovernmentdecisions.Between2012and2016,Kudrinretainedhis
influencewiththeKremlinwhileacquiringrespectasacivilsocietyplayer.HesponsoredanumberofresearchprojectsandpolicyproposalsthatweremetwithmuchinterestonbothsidesoftheKremlinwalls.AdraftoftheInteriorMinistryreformthatKudrinsponsoredandpresentedin2013wasbasedonanin-
depthstudyofRussianpolice,conductedoriginallybytheEuropeanUniversityinSt.Petersburg.NotraceoftheseproposalsisfoundinthereformsthatcreatedtheNationalGuard.
AsimilarfatemightawaittheeffortthatKudrinisexpectedtoleadattheCenterforStrategicResearch.Threemajorreform-draftingprojectswereundertakenunderPutinandnoneofthemeverbecameabindingdocument.IncontrasttoZolotov,Kudrinhasnotbeengivenanyauthority,onlyvaguepromises.
[Kudrin]wasinvitedtodraftaneconomicprogramthathasnoofficialstatusorfunding,thepoliticalanalystKirillRogovwroteinaMoscowTimesop-ed.HewasofferedundefinedpowersonthepresidentsEconomicCouncil,astrangeandpracticallynon-functioningbodythatPutinhasnotconsultedeven
oncethroughout18monthsofeconomiccrisis.
Eventhesemi-independentrolethatKudrinwasplayingbetween2011and2016seemstohavebecometoofraughtfromtheKremlinviewpoint.PutinclearlypreferstohaveKudrininamoredependentpositionthatwouldsymbolizetheKremlinscontrolofthereformistdiscourse.PutinwillownwhateverKudrins
teamproduces,andwillbefreetouseitortoshelveit.WhatKudrinwillnolongerbeabletodoinhisnewcapacityismoreimportantthanwhathemighthavedoneasStrategist-in-Chief.TheappointmentofKudrinisadefensivemove,ratherthanapolicyplanninginitiative.
BothcreatingaRussiangendarmerieandplacingKudrinatthedrawingboardofahypotheticalreformplan,areforward-lookingmeasures.Theyarenotmeantforjustoneelectoralseason,whichisaparliamentaryelectioncominglaterthisyear.TheNationalGuardisunlikelytobefullyoperationalbySeptember,
andKudrinsmaingoalispost-2018Russia(2018istheyearofapresidentialelection).Thesearemeasuresofentrenchmentandseemtobeaimedatmakingthingsclearerbetweentherulinggroupandallothergroups,includingelitesandthebroadersociety.
Putinisaddressingissuesthathavenotbecomeapparentyet,andistryingtoanticipateproblemsemanatingfrompreviouslyloyalquarters.Hehasjustcreatedasuper-strongmantodealwithallsecuritystrongmenwhomightgorogue.Hehasjustappointedareformer-designatetomakesurenoonewouldbe
abletoteamupwithAlexeiKudrinforpolicyprojectsalternativetothoseoftheKremlin.
NovayaGazetaontheendofthedemocraticcoalition
[AcrisisintheRussianopposition?(Kasyanov)
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/crisisinrussianoppositionastwowithdrawfromelectionprimaries/565739.html
TwoofRussiasleadingoppositionpoliticiansannouncedWednesday13ApriltheirwithdrawalfromelectionprimariesbeingorganisedbythePARNASdemocraticcoalition.
IvanZhdanov.HeadofLawatAlexeyNavalny'sAnti-CorruptionFoundation(FBK)andIlyaYashin,PARNASpoliticalpartydeputychairman,announcedtheywouldnotbestandingwithinthespaceof24hours.
TheirreactioncomesafterPARNASleader,MikhailKasyanov,announcedhisrefusaltowithdrawfromthelistofproposedcandidates,despiterecentinvolvementinawell-publicisedscandal.
KasyanovwastheonlypoliticiantobeincludedonthelistofpotentialcandidatessincelastDecemberwhenthecoalitionwasformed.
IthinkthatKasyanov'spositiondestroysvoters'trustandscrapsusfromtheabilitytobeaneffectiveoppositioncoalition,Yashinsaid.
Zhdanov'scitedsimilarreasonstoYashin,butaddedthathewastoobusywithotherpoliticalprojects.
Thelistwouldhavebeenmuchmorerespectableifitsleaderwaselectedatprimaries.Opennessisthecorevalueoftheopposition,ZhdanovtoldTheMoscowTimes.Hestressedthatthewithdrawalwashispersonaldecisionandthathehadn'theardofanybodyelseplanningtoquittheircandidacy.
ThedecisiontogiveKasyanovtheprivilegeofheadingthelistofcandidateshadbeencontroversial.Thecoalitionwascriticisedforbeingnon-democraticandforgivingtheKremlinachancetoconcentrateanti-oppositionsmearsonasinglefigure.
Thatchancewasusedwhenstate-controlledtelevisionchannelNTVairedgrainyvideofootageofMikhailKasyanovandacolleague,NataliaPelevina,inbedtogether.Theyareheardcriticizingtheiroppositioncolleagues.
Givensuchcircumstances,wewouldbeansweringidioticquestionsaboutwhosleptwithwhomandwhocalledsomeonenamesinbedthroughoutthecourseofthewhole[StateDumaelection]campaign,Yashinexplained.
KasyanovtoldKommersantFMradiothathesawnoproblemswithYashin'schoice.It'shisdecisionandhehastherightforanydecisionandit'shisopinion,hesaid.
UnlikeYashin,Zhdanovhassaidthathisdecisionhadnothingtodowiththepublicationofthefilm.ThelawyerbelievethatPARNASstillhavegoodchancesattheparliamentaryelections,becausethere'snoalternative.
Democraticcoalitionmembersnowhavetochoosebetweenbadandworse,thepoliticalexpertAlexeyMakarkintoldTheMoscowTimes.
MakarkinbelievesthefilmscandalwillpushoppositionmembersawayfromKasyanov.Healsosaidthatvoteractivityattheprimariesappearedtobelow,andthatcancellingthemcouldbeanoption.
Atthesametime,Makarkinalsobelievesthatthescandalwillnotresultinanydramaticchanges:PARNASwillsurvive,andYashinwillprobablyentertheelectoralcampaigninasingle-memberdistrict.
Thesituationingeneralisaplustoeveryone,notaminus,GrigoryMelkonyants,co-chairofGolos,anindependentelectionsmonitor,toldTheMoscowTimes.Itisgoodwhensuchthingspassbeforetheelectioncampaign.Whenitstarts,nothingwilldistractthem.Itseemslikethey[theopposition]areat
astagewhentheyneedtoclarifytherelationship. ]
[BelkovskiyonNavalniy/Yashinvs.Kasyanov
http://echo.msk.ru/programs/beseda/1747696-echo/
KasyanovsaysheplansonkeepingthefirstspotonthePARNASpartylistforhimself,scandalornoscandal,andregardlessoftheresultsoftheprimaries.SoYashinhasrefusedtotakepartinthepartyprimaries.Belkovskiy:whatweareseeingshowsthecontradictionsandconflictswithinthenon-systemic
opposition.ButthiswontmeanthetotalcollapseofthedemocraticcoalitionitsoftoomuchvaluetopeoplelikeKasyanovandNavalniy.YashinrepresentsNavalniysteam,whichwantstoseizecontroloftheoppositionandtakechargeofitandthereisareasontheythinkthatway.Acertainpartof
PARNASsassets,regionalstructures,considerNavalniytheirleadermorethanKasyanovandviewNavalniyashavingbetterpoliticalprospects.ThestruggleforpowerbetweenKasyanovandNavalniyiscertainlydamagingtothenon-systemicoppositionandcouldcauseasplitatatimetheoppositionneeds
toconsolidateWeunderstandthattheKremlinwilllikelynotallowalargemajorityofoppositioncandidatesintotheDumaandundersuchconditions,consolidationbecomesevenmoreimportant.Theresalsoabattlegoingonforthepolitical-morallegacyofBorisNemtsov.AlotofPARNASactivistsstill
considerhimasamoreauthoritativefigurethanKasyanov.IfNavalniyandYashincanconvinceactiviststhattheyrepresentNemtsovslegacybetterthanKasyanov,thenthatwouldbeatrumpcardinthestruggleovertheparty.
BelkovskiysaysheagreesthatNavalniyhasbetterprospectsasaleaderthanKasyanov,butmorallyhesupportsKasyanovonecantuseKremlinprovocationsasabasisforinfightingintheopposition]
NovayaGazeta(http://www.novayagazeta.ru/politics/72887.html)reportsthatNavalniysProgressPartyandVladimirMilovsDemocraticChoicepartyhaveannouncedtheirwithdrawalfromacoalitionwithKasyanovsPARNAS.Thepartiescouldnotreachagreement
onproceduresfortheprimaries,onformingapartylist,oronwhetherKasyanovshouldhavethe#1spotonthepartyelectorallist.Apartfromthat,KasyanovhasbeenaccusedoffailingtofinancepreparationsfortheelectionsElectorally,thissignifiescollapse.Without
Navalniyandhispeople,PARNASdoesntevenhaveatheoreticalchanceofbreakingthe5%barrierintheDumaelection.ButitsevenworseforNavalniyandcompanyandtheirunregisteredparty,whichcanttakepartinelectionswithoutcollectingsignaturesItfollowsthat
NavalniywilllikelysoondeclarethattheelectionsareashamandtheoppositionshouldboycottthemWhatthisallmeansisthatNavalniysteamisnotreadytotakepartinpolitics.ItshighpointwastheMoscowmayorselectionin2013WecanonlyhopethatYabloko,
whichistryingtoformitsowncoalition,doesnotrepeatthemistakesofPARNASLeonidVolkovoftheProgressPartysayshewouldbesurprisedifPARNASgarners1%ofthevoteinSeptemberLyubovSobol,alsooftheProgressParty,saysthateventhoughherparty
haswithdrawnfromthecoalition,candidatescanstillrunforindividualmandatesandshewillruninaMoscowdistrictDemocraticChoicesMilovsaysthemainargumentwasaboutKasyanovas#1onthepartylistwithouthavingtotakepartinprimaries.Kasyanovwas
namedpartychairmanbecauseofadesiretoholdthecoalitiontogether,buthehasnotbeenfulfillinghisobligationsasleaderbuthe(Kasyanov)couldstillcomearoundandchangehismindaboutcooperation.DemocraticChoicecandidatescanstillcompeteforsingle
mandatedistricts
Consumerconfidenceatalowpoint
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-consumer-confidence-falls-to-historic-lows/567532.html
ConsumerconfidenceinRussiafellto63pointsinthefirstquarterofthisyearonNielsen'sConsumerConfidenceIndex,thelowestlevelsincerecordsbeganin2005,theKommersantnewspaperreportedFriday.
Inthesameperiodlastyear,theindexstoodat72points,thenewspaperreported.
AccordingtoNielsen,arecordlownumberofpeoplenowhaveanyextramoneyaftercoveringbasicneedsandbills.
Atthesametime,theshareofRussiansforcedtoslashtheirspendingroseto76percentinthefirstquarteroftheyear.
Fifty-ninepercentofRussiancitizensnowhavetoabstainfromentertainmentexpensesand61percentputoffthepurchaseofnewclothes.Fifty-twopercentofRussiansswitchedtocheaperfoodproducts,accordingtodatafromNielsen.
AsRussiacontinuestoexperienceeconomicrecession,therealwagesofRussiansshrank9.5percentin2015.Thisyear,thetrendcontinuedwith3.9percentinrealwagesyear-on-yearinthefirstquarterof2016,accordingtotheRosstatstatestatisticsservice.
ThecontinuingdeclineinrealincomesmeansthatRussians'consumeractivitywillremainlowinthenearfuture,DilyaraIbragimova,anassociateprofessorattheHigherSchoolofEconomics'sociologydepartment,toldthenewspaper.
DeputyPrimeMinisterOlgaGolodetssaidFridaythatRussiahasbeenhitbyaconsumercrisis.Fifty-onepercentofpurchaseditemsinFebruarywerefoodproductswhiletheconsumptionofcertaintypesoflightindustryhasfallenby20percent,accordingtoGolodets.
NODactivistsattackparticipantsatMemorialevent
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/human-rights-event-attacked-in-moscow/567472.html
GuestsataneventorganizedbyRussia'sleadinghumanrightsgroupMemorialhavebeenattackedbynationalistactivists,theorganization'sexecutivedirectortoldtheMoscowTimesThursday.
Participantsattheawardceremonyforhigh-schoolstudentswerepeltedwithdisinfectantandammonia,saidexecutivedirectorYelenaZhemkova.
"MemorialwasholdingaveryimportanteventatDomKinoincentralMoscow,buttheguestsandtheparticipantswereattackedbyagroupofaggressiveprotesterswhothrewgreendisinfectantandammoniaatthemastheytriedtoenterthebuilding,"Zhemkovasaid.
TheprotestsinfrontoftheDomKinobuildingwereorganizedbythePeople'sLiberationFrontnationalistmovement(NOD),localmediasourcesreported.
Roughly20NODactivistscongregatedoutsideDomKino,holdingbannersreading"wedon'tneedalternativehistory,"andshouting"fascists."
AmongthoseattackedwasacclaimedRussiannovelistLyudmilaUlitskaya.Thewriter,whoheadedthejuryatthecompetition,wassprayedinthefacewithgreendisinfectant.
Anumberofinternationalguestswerealsopresent,includingtheGermanambassadortoRussiaRdigervonFritsch,theNovayaGazetanewspaperreported.Theactivistsalsoattackedtherepresentativefromthesimilarschool'shistorycontestinNorway.
TheNOD'syouthwingcoordinatorMariaKatasonovadeniedtheattackonUlitskayaintheinterviewwiththeGovoritMoskvaradiostation"Wedon'tknowwhosprayedUlitskaya,"shesaid."Ionlysawherturnaroundandshewasalreadycoveredingreendisinfectant.
Thehigh-schoolcompetition,"Apersoninthehistory:RussiaintheXXcentury"isanannualeventbyMemorial.Studentsfromaroundthecountryareencouragedtoresearchlocalhistorybystudyinghistoricalarchives,interviewingwitnessesandexaminingnewspapersandother
sources.
WinningstudentsaretheninvitedtoMoscowwheretheyattendanumberofplacesandeventsorganizedbyMemorial.TheculminationoftheirMoscowprogramistheawardsceremony.
Policearrivingonthescenesaidthattheprotestwasaone-manpicketandtooknoaction.
"Usually,evenit'sarealone-manprotest,thepolicewillcomeandputseverybodyinthebackofavan.Thistimenothinghappened,eventhoughourcollegehadaneyeinjury,"Zhemkovasaid.
TheexecutivedirectorsaidthatalthoughtherehadbeenpreviouslyprotestscarriedoutduringpreviousMemorialevents,itwasthefirsttimecounter-activistshadbeensoaggressive.
TherewasapickethadbeencarriedoutinfrontoftheSakharovCenterwhereMemorialheldanexhibitiondedicatedtothefirstChechenwarlastmonth,butnoonehadbeenattacked,shesaid.
Contacttheauthorata.bazenkova@imedia.ru.FollowtheauthoronTwitterat@a_bazenkova.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/kremlin-calls-attack-on-human-rights-event-hooliganism/567490.html
TheKremlin'sspokesmanDmitryPeskovhascalledanattackonahumanrightseventbynationalistactivistshooliganism,theTASSnewsagencyreportedFriday.
Itishooliganism,itisadisgrace,Peskovsaid.Those,whohidebehindtheSt.Georgeribbon,discreditit.Hestressedthatitwasabsolutelyunacceptable,PeskovwasquotedassayingbyTASS.
OnThursday,activistsfromthePro-KremlinPeople'sLiberationFrontnationalistmovement(NOD)attackedtheawardceremonyforhigh-schoolstudentswhohadparticipatedinahistorycontest,organizedbytheprominenthumanrightsgroupMemorial.
TheNODactivistsgatheredinfrontoftheDomKino,wheretheMemorialceremonywasbeingheld,shoutinginsultsandsprayinggreendisinfectantandammoniaattheeventattendeesastheytriedtoenterthebuilding.
Amongthoseattackedwerethecompetitionparticipants,organizers,foreignandRussianguestsandacclaimedRussianwriterLyudmilaUlitskaya,theheadofthecompetition'sjury.
AccordingtorepresentativesofMemorial,whenpolicearrivedatthescene,theyfailedtotakeanyactionagainsttheNODactivists.
LateronThursday,Moscowpoliceannouncedthatoneoftheattackershadbeendetained,theInterfaxnewsagencyreported.Hehasbeenchargedwithpettyhooliganismandmayfaceupto15daysinprison.
Comment:Recalltheitemwesawinthe25AprilnotesondynamicandhermeticauthoritarianregimesandtheKremlinbeinguncomfortablewithanyspontaneousactions,evenbygroupsthatarepro-vlast.
LavrovonRussiasaimingforselfsufficiency
LavrovalsohadsomecommentsonNATOandSweden,NATOandRussia
http://www.rt.com/news/341378-lavrov-sweden-nato-russia/
NATO expansion to the East enables the alliance to deploy forces next to Russias borders and then accuse Moscow of carrying out dangerous maneuvers near the alliances bases, the Russian foreign minister told a Swedish media outlet.
This is a meanspirited attempt to turn the issue on its ears, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Swedens Dagens Nyheter daily.
NATO military infrastructure is inching closer and closer to Russias borders. But when Russia takes action to ensure its security, we are told that Russia is engaging in dangerous manoeuvres near NATO borders. In fact, NATO borders are getting closer to Russia, not the opposite, the Russian FM
pointed out.
Speaking about NATO as the EUs principal military alliance, Lavrov said its existence is an objective reality and therefore Moscow is ready for dialogue.
NATO deployments of AMD bases and troops near Russian borders have already violated the basic 1997 NATORussia Founding Act, the foreign minister noted. Today, NATO is different from what it used to be and Russia pays no attention to its soothing words, but instead reacts to
the alliances military potential massed near Russias borders, Lavrov added.
Russia is not interested in neutral Sweden entering NATO, yet If Sweden decides to join NATO, we (Russians) wont think that it intends to attack Russia, Lavrov said. However, he also mentioned that alliance infrastructure in Sweden would definitely arouse a reaction from the Russian
military.
Every state is free to choose its selfdefense strategy in consideration of its national interests, and its better to ask the people before making this decision, according to the Russian foreign minister.
The answer [why NATO needs new member states] is simple NATO seeks to cover as much geopolitical space as possible and surround the countries that somehow disagree with NATO, such as, for example, Russia and Serbia."
Selfreliance is Russias strategic course now
Russian foreign policy is subject to change because sanctions against Moscow have made business as usual absolutely impossible. Russia will have to rely on its own resources first and foremost, the minister told the Dagens Nyheter daily.
From now on we have to look to ourselves. We have everything we need for that. We are a selfsufficient country, Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Russians are prepared to work hard to avoid having to buy anything abroad.
This is a strategic course. It has nothing to do with selfisolation, Lavrov said. He expressed hope that when and ifWestern partners opt to revert to normal behavior, this would only mean additional opportunity for development and cooperation. But in basic things were going to paddle
our own canoe.
The EU will mature and come to an equitable respectful dialogue without ultimatums, Lavrov said, expressing hope that the ongoing situation in RussiaEU relations wont last long, because the European Union and Russia are not capable of competing in the modern world on their own.
Were destined to live and cooperate together, the Russian foreign minister stated.
Lavrov added that Moscow will speak with other European capitals as equal partners and defy any ideas prescribed by the EU to be taken for granted.
He went on to say that not everyone in Europe is happy with the outcome of the antiRussian sanctions, and it is no secret Brussels will have to discuss the issue.
Lets hope that common sense prevails, Lavrov said, noting that the European Union, of course, will head in the direction that Germany wishes to go.
Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia would rely on generating internal resources to avoid being dependent on Europe, which is currently putting politics ahead of economic expediency.
Senttime: 04/27/201603:12:18PM
NatalyaZubarevich:Russiahasreservesofsustainability
AndreyNekrasovsMagnitskiyfilm
LinksbetweenRolduginsoffshoreandtheMagnitskiycase
NatalyaZubarevich:Russiahasreservesofsustainability
http://newtimes.ru/articles/detail/110033
AninterviewwitheconomistZubarevich,whohasshownupinthesenotesbefore*
NT:Doyouhaveasenseofimpendingcatastrophe?
Z:No.Asamatteroffact,travellingaroundthecountryonlystrengthensmysenseoftheunlikelysustainabilityofthesystem.That
comesfromtherationalbehaviorofpeople.Inacrisis,theytryandminimizetheirrisksonapersonallevel.Theyarentinterested
inpolitics.Theyadapt.Theinertiaofthesystemplusthattendencyarethetwolegsthesystemcanstandonforalongtime.
NT:HowmanydonorregionsarethereinRussia?HowmuchdoestheperipherydependonMoscow?
Z:RegionswithaGrossRegionalProducthigherthanaveragenumberabout9-13.Butthatdoesntmeantheydontgetanything
fromthecenter.
NT:OK,howmanyrichregionsarethere?
Z:GoingbytaxcontributionstaxesfromextractingnaturalresourcesandvalueaddedtaxesKhanty-Mansiysk(contributes
27%-28%ofthefederalbudgetdrawfromthosetaxes),Yamal-Nenets(10%)andMoscow(14%--thatsfromvalue-added
taxes).Moscowhasalotofpeopleandtheresalotofconsumption.PayratesarehigherinMoscow,sothereisahigh
contributionofincometaxes.St.Petersburg,too.Soyoucansaythatfourregionsaccountfor55%-60%ofbudgetincome.
In2015,thefederalbudgetdeficitwasR2trillionrubles.Thatwasthefirstyearforadeficit.Didthecrisiscausethedeficit?No,
spendingdid.Spendingonpensionsmorepensioners,fewercontributorsanddefensespending,whichaccountedfor28%of
thebudget.Budgetincomehasdecreasedby5%.Addanother12%fornationalsecurityandtheresathirdofthebudget.
CreatingtheNationalGuardwontraisethedeficittheygovernmentwilljustredistributefunds.
NT:SovlastisbehavingmorewiselythantheleadershipoftheUSSR?
Z:Yes.Onemorefactorforsustainabilityisthatadministrationismorequalifiedandthatlowersrisks.Imnottalkingaboutforeign
policy,ofcourse,onlytheeconomy.
NT:AndtheSovietleadershipsoldoffgoldandcurrencyreserves
Z:Andthecurrentleadershipisnt.Withelectionscomingup,vlastwillmaintainreservessmartpeoplegointoanelectionwith
moneyTheregionsarebehavingrationally.In2015,regionalbudgetincomegrewby6%,expendituresonlyby1%.Theybegan
cutting51regionscutspendingoncommunalserves,48cutspendingoneducation.Theycutsocialprogramsleastofall.They
didntcutbenefitstothepopulation(theseareseparatefrompensions,pensionsareafederalmatter).InSeptembertherewillbe
21electionsofregionalleaderswhowouldcutbenefitsinanelectionsyear?Thisyearonly20regionsmadecutsinhealthcare,
16insocialspending.Cutscanbemade,butgradually,withprecision,cutstosmallergroupsofthepopulation.Theycanmakeit
morecomplicatedforpeopletoenterthesocialbenefitssystem,thingslikethat.TakeYaroslavlasanexampleyouseparateoff
peoplesufferingfromrarediseaseswhosemedicinescostmillionsandceasebuyingthemedicine.Thesegroupsofrelativelyfew
sickpeoplecantmakeabigfussitscynical,butitworksAnotherwaytomakescutsistonotindexbenefitsat13%
inflation,thatsaneffectivewaytoeconomizeTherearelotsofwaystomakecutswithoutsparkingprotestsKransodarwasnt
socareful,cuttingtransportationprivilegesforpensionersandpeopletooktothestreets.Soprivilegeswerereinstated.
VladimirOblasthasabudgetsurplus.SodoesMoscow,whichalsomadecutsineducation,healthcareandculture.Whymake
cutswithasurplus?Well,therearelotsofincompleteinfrastructureprojectsandtheresnoguaranteeofraisingpayratesagainas
thecrisisdeepensLeningradOblastandSt.Petersburghavebudgetsurpluses,asdoKhanty-Mansiysk,TyumenOblast,
Sakhalin,Chukotka.Sevastopolisinpositivenumbers,thoughCrimeaisrunningadeficitBudgetdeficitswereactuallyslightly
lowerin2015thanin2013.In2013,therewasnosensethatcutshadtobemadeThetotalofregionalbudgetdeficitsisR370
billion.In2014,thatwasR440billion.In2013,R640billion.2015s(regional)budgetdeficitswerentextreme,morelike
typical.ThedeficitswerecreatedbyPutinsMayedicts,bytheordertoraisepayrates.Everyregionisdifferent,methodsfor
copingaredifferentthatdiversityisanotherfactorinfavorofstability.Eachregioncomesupwithitswayandthatlowersrisks
overall.
NT:WhatabouttheincreaseinthenumberofpoorRussians?
Z:Therehasbeenanincreasethreemillionmorepoorpeople.Thatsanincreasefrom10.5%to13.6%.Someoneispoorif
theyhaveanincomelowerthantheminimum.Butthatdoesnotmeaninequalityisincreasing.Theruleisthateconomicgrowth
increasesinequality.Abiggerpieceofagrowingeconomicpiegoestothericherpartsofthepopulation.Inequalitygrewinthe
1990sand2000s
Theshadoweconomyhasgrown,butitgrewbeforethecrisis.Thenumberofpeopleemployedinmajorormid-sized
enterpriseshasdecreasedfrom41to33million.Businesssheditselfofineffectivepersonnel.Wheredidtheygo?10-14million
wenttosmallerenterprises.Therestwenttothegrayzoneearlierthatwasabout17million,nowitsjustunder20million.
NT:Hasthecrisispeaked?
Z:ThefirstpeakwasinDecemberof2014,asincomesandpaydecreased.ThesecondwasinFebruary-Mayoflastyearas
industrydeclined.Thenthenewnormalsetin:therewasastabilizationatthelowlevelandithascontinued.Russiaisntinthe
graveyard,justslowlymovingthatway
Therearetwokeyelectoralgroupspensionersandbudgetworkers.Asarule,thebudgetworkersdontgetsocialbenefits.The
pensionersdontdependontheregionalbudgets.Thepeoplewhosufferthemostfromthecrisisarefamilieswithchildren.The
levelofchildpovertyinRussiais1.5Xhigherthangeneralpoverty.
NT:Whatdoyoumeanbychildpoverty?
Z:IftheRussianpopulationisdividedbyagegroup,weseethatwhentheaveragepovertyrateforthewholepopulationwas
11%-12%,thepovertyrateforchildrenwas17%,18%,or19%.AndchildbenefitsareatalevelofR200,R300,or
R400/month!Ifyouhavetwoparentsbothworkingatlowpayingjobs,thentheycannotsupportthesecondchild.Untilnotlong
ago,thebirthofasecondchildwasthepathtopoverty.
NT:Thestatehastounderstandjusthowimportantchildrenaretoit
Z:No,itsnotreadytounderstand.Thestatehadanunderstandingofthatimportancewhentheeconomywasgrowingandithad
aneedformoreworkers.Now,weinaratherdrawnoutcrisis.Fortheperiodupuntilthe2018presidentialelection,the
demographicissuewillbeclosed.Thecontextwontmakethatthemeawinner,sowewontbehearingaboutit.
NT:Howwillthecrisishaveanimpactontheprospectsforpoliticalprotests?Weknowthatpoliticalactivityisinthemajorcities.
Z:Intheverybiggestcities.
NT:Andtotakepartinpoliticalactivity,youhavetohavetimeandmoney
Z:Ofcourse.
NT:Soproteststookplacein2011peopleearnedmoneyandcouldallowthemselvestakingpartinpolitics.
Z:Agreed.Peoplewentbeyondroutineexistence,theyhadabroaderhorizonforthinkingaboutwhattheydesired
NT:Sowhatsgoingoninthebigcitiesnow?
Z:Thereareseveralchannelsthatlowerthelikelihoodofprotests.First,theoutflowfromthecountryofthemorecompetitive,
educated,qualifiedpeople.Notchildrenorstudents,butpeopleintheir30s,peoplewhohaveashotatapositionintheWest.We
arelosinghumancapitalandthatlowerstheresourcesforprotests.Secondifyouloseyourjob,thenyouadapt.Youfind
anotherjobatlowerpay.Itdoesnthelponesselfconfidence,butitdoesntmeanyouarereadyforprotests.Youetherfallintoa
depressionortrytofindwaystoearnmore.Third:youwithdraw.Youtakeupahobby,focusinwardly.ThisisaverySoviet
response.Fourthforgetabouteverythinganddrink.
*Fromthe8Marchnotes,abitfromanotherarticleonZubarevichsviewsonthecrisis:
[Unemploymenthasincreased,buthasnotreachedcatastrophiclevels.Therehavebeensmalldosesofpersonnelcuts.Ofcourse,therearelotof
hoursbeingcutandadministrativeleaveordersarebeingdeclaredAsfarasvlastisconcerned,peoplearenotprotesting,therearenotalotof
peoplebeingfired,peoplearestillworking.True,forlessmoney,butstillworking
Whatliesahead?
Regionswithnon-completiveindustrieswilldeclineevenfurther.Otherswilladapttherewontbeacollapse,but,rather,afadingeconomy,
stagnation.Wherewillthebottombe?Nooneknows.Thecrisisishittingthemajorcitiesthestrongestthosecitieshaveserviceeconomiesand
thestatehasnomechanismsforhelpingthem
ThereisntanyprotestmovementbecauseforRussiansthereisnolinearconnectionbetweeneconomicdynamicsandtheirsocial-cultural
perceptions.Peopleadapttotoughconditionsandadjusttheirbudgets.Zubarevichendsbysayingthatforher,theworstriskinsuchadaptation
isfurtherdegradation]
AndreyNekrasovsMagnitskiyfilm
http://lawandorderinrussia.org/2016/magnitsky-family-blasts-the-green-party-in-the-european-parliament-for-hosting-
premiere-of-a-false-and-offensive-film-about-sergei-magnitsky-by-andrei-nekrasov/
MagnitskyFamilyBlaststheGreenPartyintheEuropeanParliamentforHostingPremiereofaFalseandOffensiveFilmaboutSergeiMag-
nitskybyAndreiNekrasov
27April2016ThewidowandmotherofSergeiMagnitskyhavewrittentotheGreen/EFAfactionintheEuropeanParliament(see theirletter)
protestingthepremiereofanewfalse,offensiveanddefamatoryfilmbyRussianfilmmakerAndreiNekrasovabouttheirmurderedhusbandand
son.Thepremierewilltakeplacethisafternoonat5:30pmattheEuropeanParliament.
ThepremiereissponsoredattheEuropeanParliamentbytheGreens/EFAGroup,andhostedbyHeidiHautala,Finnish MEP,VicePresidentof
theGreen/EFAGroup,whowasreportedintheFinnishpresstobefilmmakerAndreiNekrasovsgirlfriend.
TheMagnitskyfamilyexpressedtheirindignationintheletteraboutthisnewattempttoblackenSergeiMagnitskysname.Theyviewthisfilmas
promotingtheinterestsofthosewhoSergeiMagnitskyexposedandwhoareafraidofthetruthhehaduncovered.
ThisfilmhasbeenmadeintheinterestofthosewhoarescaredofthetruthuncoveredbySergeiMagnitsky,-saidSergeiMagnitskysmother
andwidow.-BythisletterthefamilyofSergeiMagnitskystatetheirhighlynegativereactiontothisfilmandprotestagainstunconscionable
attemptstoblackenSergeiMagnitskysname.WearecategoricallyagainstpublicviewingoftheAndreiNekrasovsfilm,againstitsdistribution
inanyform.
TheletterfromtheMagnitskyfamilystatesthatthefilmcontainsfalseinformationandliesaboutSergeiMagnitsky.Theyarecategoricallyagainst
anyshowingordistributionofthisfilm,includingandespeciallyattheEuropeanParliament.
WebelievethatthefilmbyAndreiNekrasov,basedonhisinventions,andnotondocumentsandfacts,isdegradingtothedignityofSergei
Magnitsky,degradingtothedeceased,whocannotdefendhimself,saystheletterfromtheMagnitskyfamily.
ThefilmbyAndreiNekrasovandproducerTorsteinGrudeofPirayaFilms(Norway)isdesignedtoperpetuateaRussiangovernmentdisinforma-
tioncampaignabouttheMagnitskycaseforaWesternaudience.ThefilmclaimsthatSergeiMagnitskywasnotbeatenincustody,wasnot
alawyer,didnottestifyagainstRussianofficials,didnotinvestigatetheUS$230millionfraud,butinsteadcommittedithimself.
Thesefalseclaimsarecon t ra d ictedbynumer o usdoc u m ents.Inpar t ic u l ar,theclaimthathewasntbeatenisrefutedbythepho t osofhis
injuriesfromthestateautopsyhisdeathcertificatestatinghehadasuspectedcerebrialcranialinjurycertificatesfromthedetentioncenter
wherehediedrecordingtheapplicationofrubberbatonstheRussianstateforensicopinionfindingthatSergeiMagnitskysinjurieswerecon-
sistentwithbluntforcetrauma.
Magnitskysprofessionasalawyerisdemonstratedbyhisroleinrepresentinghismultipleclientsincourt,providingthemlegaladvice,andhis
owntestimonyidentifyinghimselfasalawyer.
ThefactthatSergeiMagnitskystestifiedagainstpoliceofficersisprovenbyhistestimonyfrom5June2008inwhichhedescribedthetheftof
Hermitagescompaniesandfraudulentclaimsagainstthem,mentioningpoliceofficerKuznetsov14timesandpoliceofficerKarpov13times,
his7October2008testimonyinwhichheconfirmedhis5June2008testimonyandtestifiedthatthesamegroupwhostoleHermitagescom-
paniesstoleUS$230mlnfromtheRussianbudget.
TheclaimthatSergeiMagnitskystoleUS$230mlnisrefutedbythediscoveryoftheillicitproceedsfromthefraudonaccountsconnectedtothe
RussianofficialsandmembersoftheirfamiliesthejointtravelofthecriminalsandRussiangovernmentofficialsinvolvedinthefraudthefact
thatMagnitskyhelpedHermitagereportthecrimethreeweeksbeforethecriminalsappliedforthefraudulenttaxrefund,andthefactthatthe
samecriminalorganisationdidsimilarcrimesbeforeandafter.
ThefalseanddefamatoryallegationsaboutSergeiMagnitskythatNekrasovtriestomakehavebeenrefutedinthepastbyindependentinterna-
tionalinstitutionsincludingtheCouncilofEurope,the EUParliament,the USStateDepartmentandmanyotherswhohavestudiedthecasein
detail.Fur t her m ore,thealle g a t ionsinthefilmarealsocon t ra d ictedbytheRuss i angovernmentsownevi d ence,courtrecords,andexpert
conclusions.
InSergeiMagnitskysownhand-writtenstatement,4daysbeforehisdeath,on12November2009,hewrote:
BynowithasbeenayearthatIambeingheldhostageinprisonintheinterestsofthepersons,whoareinterestedtoensurethatthoseactually
guiltyinthetheftof5.4billionrubles[US$230million]fromthebudgetwillneverbebroughttojustice.InvestigatorSilchenkodoesnotwantto
identifytheotherpersons,whomadethisfraudpossible.HewantsthelawyersoftheHermitageFund,whopursuedandcontinuetopursue
attemptsforthiscasebeinvestigated,beforcedtoemigratefromtheircountry,inwhichcriminalcaseswerefabricatedagainstthemonphony
grounds,orlikemebedetainedincustody.
Mydetentionincustodyhasabsolutelynothingincommonwiththepurposeofcriminaljustice,whichIreferredtoearlier.Ithasnothingincom-
monwiththelegalpurposeofrestraintlistedinArticle97oftheRussianCriminalProceduralCode,butthisisapunishmenttowhichIhave
beensubjectedformerelydefendingtheinterestsofmyclientand,ultimately,theinterestsoftheGovernment,becauseshouldmyclientsinter-
estsberealized,shouldthelawenforcementagenciesstopobstructingtheinterestsofmyclientandinsteadassistedthem,thenthetheftof5.4
billionrublesfromthestatewouldnotbepossible.Theactualpurposeofmycriminalprosecutionandmydetentionincustodyareinconflict
withthelaw.
ThemotherofSergeiMagnitskyhaspreviouslywrittentotheproducerofthefilm,butreceivednoreply.
Nekrasovhasdefendedthefilm:
http://fakeoff.org/politics/cheloveka-zhalko-no-vsyo-ostalnoe-lozh
NekrasovsaysthathewantedtomakeafilmaboutcontemporaryRussia,aboutamanwhowasnotadissidentagainsta
backdropoftheastronomicalincreaseinvalueoftheoilandgassectorandagainstabackgroundofcorruption.Hethoughtofthe
mainfigureinthefilmasnoidealist,butwhenitcametimeforhimtochoosebetweengoodandneutrality,hechosegoodanddied
aherobutitwasntso,asIfoundoutwhilemakingthefilm,saysNekrasov
MagnitskiyaccusedtwoMVDofficers,KarpovandKuznetsov,ofstealingbudgetfundstothetuneof$230millionItbecame
clearthatthewholeMagnitskiy-as-herostorywasbasedonalie,astorythatwasusedasanalibiforMagnitskiyscolleagues
NekrasovthendeconstructstheMagnitskiystorybymakingclaimslikethisone:Magnitskiyandhiscolleaguessupposedlywarned
theProsecutorsofficeandtheInvestigativeCommitteeforthreeweeksthatanillegaltaxrebateschemewasintheworks,but
anotherversiyaisthattheycomplainedaboutthetheftofcompanies(Comment:Asareminder,Magnitskiyreportedthat
officials,includingofficialsinthetaxservice,wereoperatingascamforreceivingtaxrebates.PartoftheMagnitskiy
affairwasastorythatMVDofficersraidedcompaniesMagnitskiyrepresentedandseizedofficialdocumentsand
otheritemsthattheycouldthenusetostealthosecompanies)therewasacomplaintmadeaboutattemptstosteal
moneyfromthosecompanies,butBrowderhimselftoldmethosecompaniesdidnthaveanymoney(Comment:Irecallthat
MagnitskiywassupposedtohaveregisteredanumberofshellcompaniesIthinkthoseweretheentitiesthatwere
stolen)NekrasovgoesontobashBrowderandsaysheregretshavingcalledacoupleofthepeopleontheMagnitskiylist
scoundrels
LinksbetweenRolduginsoffshoreandtheMagnitskiycase
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/reports-claim-putin-ally-roldugins-offshore-tied-to-magnitsky-
case/567431.html
BankingrecordsobtainedfromthePanamaPapersshowlinksbetweencellistSergeiRoldugin,acloseallyofRussia'sPresident
VladimirPutin,andthecaseofSergeiMagnitsky,aRussianlawyerwhodiedofmistreatmentinprisonin2009,accordingtothe
websiteoftheOrganizedCrimeandCorruptionReportingProject(OCCRP).
TheMagnitskycaseinvolvedthetheftof$230millionfromtheRussianTreasury.Thecrimewasuncoveredin2007byMagnitsky,a
RussianlawyerwhowasworkingforHermitageCapitalManagement,thenthebiggestforeigninvestorinRussia.Magnitskywas
arrestedin2008bythesamepoliceofficerswhomheaccusedofcoveringupthefraud.
InFebruary2008,themoneyvanishedintoachainofphantomcompaniesandabouttwomillioneventuallyendedupwithDelco
NetworksSA,aBritishVirginIslandscorporation.
Twomonthslater,SergeiRolduginmadeadealwiththesameoffshorecompany.Delcopurchased70,000sharesinRosneftRussia's
stateoilcompanyfromRoldugin,sendinghiscompany$800,000inMay2008.Thecontract,OCCRPsaid,wasburiedinthe
PanamaPapers,whichhavediscloseddetailsofdoingbusinessinoffshoretaxhavensforclientswhowanttohidetheiridentities.
OCCRPsaidonitswebsitethatDelcoanditsassociatedcompanieswerelikelypartofalargeoffshoremoneylaunderingnetwork
setupbyorganizedcrimeandinvolvingcompaniesandbankaccountsinRussia,Moldova,Britain,Latviaandoffshoretaxhavensthat
wasusedbytheRussiangovernmentandnumerouscrimegangstostealorlaundermoney,evadetaxesandpaybribes.
AgraphicontheRolduginconnectiontotheMagnitskiycasepostedonOpenRussia:
http://s2.openrussia.org/redactor/o/f3/29/f32967e22cf1.png

From: DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>
Senttime: 04/27/201603:10:57PM
Subject: RE:NekrasovFilmCancelled
Maybe.SpokewithDanFriedaboutithespokewiththereporter,thoughthereporterhasntyetcalledme.
From:Bob[mailto:robertotto25@gmail.com]
Sent:Wednesday,April27,20166:10PM
To:DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>
Subject:Re:NekrasovFilmCancelled
TheNBCinvestigationseemsmoreserious.Safetrip.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr27,2016,at3:05PM,DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>wrote:
Interesting,hadntheardanything.
OfftoViennainafewhours,backSaturday.SeeyouSundayat8:15.
Subject:NekrasovFilmCancelled
http://www.newsru.com/world/27apr2016/magnitskiy.html

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Veryinteresting.TheNekrasov/HautulaMagnitskyblackPRattackeventattheEuroparliamentabruptlycancelled
http://t.co/sHtOW6jcpv
BillBrowder(@Billbrowder)April27,2016
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SentfrommyiPad
From: DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>
Senttime: 04/27/201603:05:13PM
Subject: RE:NekrasovFilmCancelled
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////
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/28/201603:19:59PM
RecappingtheMagnitskiycaseandrelatedissues
LatyninaonwhyChaykasaidBrowderwasbehindtheFBKinvestigation
RossiyaTVonNavlaniysSecretcorrespondence
LatyninacommentsontheMagnitskiyscandal(LatyninapointstoSerdyukovintheMagnitskiyaffair)
LevadapollsRussiansonthePanamaPapers
LevadapollsontheNationalGuard
Stanovaya:Fivereasonstherewontbeanyreforms
AnotherlaunchdelayatVostochniyCosmodrome(PutinreprimandsRogozin)
RecappingtheMagnitskiycaseandrelatedissues
SeeyesterdaysnotesforthenewtwistthatRolduginsoffshorewasusedtolaunderfundsembezzledbystateofficials,the
embezzlementpointedoutbySergeyMagnitskiy.Morerecently,kompromatreleasedbyNavalniysAnti-corruptionFoundation
implicatingChaykasson(Seethe7December2015notes)incorruptionpromptedChaykatoclaimthatBrowderwasbehindthe
material.
Fromthe18December2015notes:
[LatyninaonwhyChaykasaidBrowderwasbehindtheFBKinvestigation
http://www.novayagazeta.ru/columns/71189.html
ItsbecauseaUSfederalprosecutorhasbroughtsuitagainstaRussianbusinessman,DenisKatsyv,inaNewYorkcourt.Katsyvsaccountsand
realestateholdingsintheUShavebeenfrozenhisnameisontheMagnitskiylistofRussians,officialsandothers,Magnitiskyclaimedwere
makingoffwithstatefundsundertheguiseoftaxrebates.Magnitskiy,ofcourse,waschargedwiththatcrimehimselfanddiedinaRussianjail.
KatsyvhasbeenconnectedtoanumberofkeyfiguresintheMagnitskiyaffair,includingDmitriyKlyuyevandformerheadofRussianTax
Inspectorate28,OlgaStepanova(Comment:FromwhatIgather,Katsyevwaslaunderingthefundssiphonedoffbythegroupinvolvedinthetax
rebatescam,shiftingthemoneytooverseasaccountsandbuyingassets).ButitappearsthatChaykasofficewillarguethatitwasBrowderandhis
groupwhichincludedMagnitskiywhomadeoffwithstatefunds,thenaccusedRussianofficialsofthat.]
ChaykasclaimsbroughttheMagnitskiyaffairbackintofocus.Thismonth,DmitriyKiselyovsprogramtookaimatBrowderand
Navalniy.Fromthe11Aprilnotes:
[RossiyaTVonNavlaniysSecretcorrespondence
Comment:ThefirstattackwasonKasyanov.NowitsNavalniysturn.TheaimiswhatBelkovskiymentionedpreventacolorrevolutionand
foreigninterferenceintheelections,controlthepoliticalprocess
http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2741466#
FromDmitriyKiselevsprogramItsaboutNavalniy(describedasacorruptrecidivist)e-mailing(andapparentlyinSkypeconversationswith)
anotherKremlinenemy,WilliamBrowder(aswindlerwhoinspiredtheMagnitskiylist),withVGTRKsYevgeniyPopovdescribingthesecret
correspondenceasrevealingchannelsbetweentheRussianoppositionandtheUSandUK.FormerBerezovskysecuritymanSergeySolokolov
(Comment:ImnotsurewherehecomesintothisstoryasaninformantongoingsonintheUK?)saysthecorrespondencewaspickedupoffof
serverssetupbytheCIAandtheMI6asachannelfortheiragents(FreedomNavalniyandSolomanBrowder)forplottingtheoverthrowof
theRussianconstitutionalsystem(OperationDrozhorTremor)ThespecialoperationDrozhdatesbackto1986andthen-CIADirector
WilliamCasey,whoplannedtheoverthrowofthesystemintheUSSRandEasternEurope.Partoftheplanwastogaincontroloverfinancialflows
andassets.
FormerMVDinvestigatorPavelKarpov(Comment:HewasinvolvedintheMagnitskiyaffair)saysthatBrowderandNavalniyworkparalleltoone
another,aswellastogetherTheyfirstmadecontactin2006,whenBrowderwasalreadybannedfromenteringRussiaandNavalniywasayoung
Yablokoactivist.BrowderwantedNavalniytohelphimwithgreenmailprojectsNavalniywasinitiallyskeptical.BrowdertoldNavalniyhewould
beaherooftheminorityshareholdersandwouldaccumulatereputationalcapitalEventuallyNavalniyagreedandBrowdersuggestedhe
startwithVTB.BrowderstargetlistincludedGazprom,Rosneft,Sberbank,LukoilandSurgutneftegaz.ButNavalniyneededmoney,soBrowder
gothimincontactwithbankerVladimirAshurkov(Comment:IthinkAshukrov,whoatonetimeworkedforAlfa,wasachannelforAlfamoneyto
thenon-systemicopposition.IthinkAlfasupportedtheprotestwavein2011-2012Seethenotesfrom11January17May201529
December2014and6November2014formoreonAshurkov).ThereportreproducescorrespondenceitclaimswasfromanMI6controllerwho
channeledR100milliontoNavalniyandcompany.
WhenMagnitskiy(portrayedhereasengaginginfraudhimself)wasarrested,BrowderaskedforNavalniyshelp.Navalniysuggestedthatthey
playupMagnitskiyssuffering,somethingRussianswouldrespondto.ButtheWesterncontroller(MI6AgentBelt)wasunhappythestory
wasntgeneratingenoughinterest,sothebestthingtodowasuseconnectionstoseetoitthatmedicalaidtoMagnitskiywascutoff.Then
Magnitskiydied.SergeyKurginyanchimesintosaythatthepersonmostinterestedinseeingMagnitskiydeadwasBrowder.Browder
subsequentlybeganhiscampaigntogettheUStosetupaMagnitskiylistNavalniyconductedtheinformationcampaigninRussia.
AnotherBrowder-NavalniyprojectwastheinformationattackonProsecutorGeneralChayka,beginningwiththeallegedlyillegalbusinessesofhis
son(See,forinstance,the7December2016notesComment:RecallthatChaykablamedBrowderforthekompromat)thisfollowed
investigatorssearchingtheofficesofBrowdersfirmsonCyprus.
Navalniyhaspostedonthestory:http://navalny.com/p/4819/
SosupposedlyaleakofinformationfromtheCIAidentifiesmeasAgentFreedomKiselyovandhiswritersmadeupthedialogueWhodid
theyconsultasexperts?TheformerheadofBerezovskiyssecurityserviceandPavelKarpov,implicatedinMagnitskiysdeath,thatswho.
KarpovhasdefendedChaykaaswell.Itsallafantasy
Heresmore:http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/navalny-to-sue-media-holding-vgtrk-over-browder-link-accusations/565407.html
AccordingtoAlexeyKovalyov,formeremployeeofthestate-runRIANovostinewsagencythatisnowheadedbytheTVanchor
Kiselyov,editorsoftheagencyreceivedinstructionsonMondaynottocoverthestoryduetoit"probablybeingfake.Kovalyovcitedthe
emailsenttotheeditorsthatwasshowntohimbyoneoftheemployees.
Comment:IwouldnotbesurprisedthatNavalniywasincontactwithBrowderandothershegetssupportfromsomewhere,Ithinkinthepast,at
leastfromAlfa,butVestiNedelijustmadeuptheAgentBeltstuff.
Navalniywantsacriminalcaseopenedandsaysheisreadytosue:http://newsru.com/russia/10Apr2016/freedom.html
BritishjournalistShaunWalkernoticedhowmanyerrorstherewereintheEnglishofthesupposedMI6handlers:
RusTVrunningwholeprogrammeon@navalnyrecruitmentbyMI6,featuring"leaked"emailsfullofarticlemistakes.
ShaunWalker(@shaunwalker7)11:43-102016 ]
Yesterday,AlekseyNekrasovshowedafilmintheEuroparliamentthatsupportedclaimsbyMagnitskiysdetractors.
Comment:Heressomematerialfromthe8August2011notesthathelpsfilloutthepictureIvehadtore-edititto
keepfromgoingoffonthevariousrelatedthreadsofthestory,butIthinkitwillbehelpfultothosenotfamiliarwith
theMagnitskiyaffair.Iuseddifferentfontsthenandthestylewasabitdifferent,butIthinkitholdsup:
[LatyninacommentsontheMagnitskiyscandal(LatyninapointstoSerdyukovintheMagnitskiyaffair)
http://www.echo.msk.ru/programs/code/799758-echo/
AsLatyninarelatestheMagnitskiycase,HermitageCapitalsBrowder,agreenmailer,naturallyattractedtheattentionoflawenforcementwhen
hepressuredstatecompanies,blackmailingthestate(Thoughtheblackmaildidimproveaccountingisstatecompaniesinsomeinstances).His
officeswereraidedandthedocumentationneededtotradethesharesofthreefirmsassociatedwithBrowderscompanywastaken.(Thethree
companiesParfenen,Makhaon,andRilandthemselveswereshellsusedstrictlyfortradingRussianshares)Thesedocumentswoundupinthe
handsofacriminalnamedMarkelov,whofiguredinoneofthecases(kidnapping/murder)ofaninvestigatorwhosenamewouldcomeupinthe
Magnitskiyaffair,Kuznetsov.Markelovarrangedforacourttodeclarethatthesefirmsweresufferingoperationallosses.Thesefirmsthen
approachedTaxInspectorate#28,headedbyOlgaStepanova,whosehusbandownedpropertyinDubai,amongotherthingsSoStepanova
signedthedocumentsauthorizingataxrebatetothesecompaniesof$5.4billion.Themoneywasplacedincertainbanks,themainonebeing
theUniversalSavingsBankthatbelongstoacertainKlyuyev,whohadfiguredinacaseinvolvingthetheftofcompanysharesinadealwith
Metallinvest.LatyninabelievesthatKlyuyevwasthemainorganizeroftheaffair.Butshealsothinksthatallofthefiguresshenamedwere
connectedinsomewaywithRenessansKapital.Klyuyevusedtoworkthere[Comment:WhatLatyninaseemstobesayingisthatthe
swindlersusedconnectionsinRenessansKapitaltopullofftheiroperationandthattheRKmanagementwassimplyindifferenttotheaffair
sinceitwasnottheirmoneythatwasbeingstolen.Thatdoesnotseemcredibletomeifitwasinvolvedinsomethinglikethis,Renessans
wouldwantakickback]HeritageknewwhatwasupandhadalreadylodgedacomplaintinOctober07.[Comment:WhatIveneverquite
understoodwaswhatwasgoingonwiththethreecompaniesaccordingtoLatyninasversionofthestory,thelawenforcementpeoplewho
eventuallyprosecutedMagnitskiyraidedBrowdersoffice,obtaineddocumentsthateffectivelygavethemcontrolofthosecompanies,Ithink,
andthentheyusedthosecompaniesasLatyninadescribedabove.DidntHeritageknowthatthedocumentswhatevertheywere,exactly
weregoneandthattheycouldbeusedinsuchaway?Isthathowtheycaughtontothetaxscheme?...]Thetransactionsandactualtheftdid
nottakeplaceuntilDecemberandthethievesknewthatHeritagehadlodgedacomplaint.Buttheycouldcallongiganticadministrative
resourcesandwereveryconfident.
Meanwhile,thethreecompaniesusedforthethefttransactionswerere-soldtoacertainRimmaStarova,borninChitain1938.[Comment:OK,
soshesafront,acover]Why?BecauseBrowderhadalreadysaidhewasrobbed,that$250millionhadbeenstolenfromthebudget.Starova
thensayshehadboughtthecompaniesandthatshefoundoutthattheyhadbeenusedtosteal,not$250million,but$5.4billionandthatshe
wantedaninvestigation.AndtheinvestigationdeterminedthatBrowderhadstolenthemoney.TheinvestigationcoveredforTaxInspector
StepanovaandchargedBrowderandMagnitskiy.InAugustof08,twomenwentatoaDHLofficeinLondonandsentoffapackage(toa
lawyernamedKhayretdinov)containingalltheoriginaldocumentationonthecompaniesusedinthetaxfraudscam,andwhenitgottoRussia,
therewasaraidonthelawyersofficeandthedocumentswereconfiscated.[Comment:Idontquiteunderstandthelawyersrole,butthiswas
evidentlyasetupbythecrookedlawenforcementofficerstoclaimtheyhadevidenceofBrowder/Magnitskiyscammingthetaxrefunds]So
theassetsbeingputtouseinthisoperationinclude,ifnotforeignintelligenceitself,atleastsomeofitsresources.Allofthistookplacebefore
thearrestofMagnitskiy.
ItwasobviousthattheinvestigatorsandStepanovawerebeingprotectedbysomeone.Who?Browderhassaidthatministersarebehind
this.WeknowthatStepanovaworkedinthetaxservicewhentheheadofthatwasthecurrentDefenseMinister,Serdyukov.Andshewentto
workatRosoboronpostavkawhenSerdyukovwentoverthedefenseministry.VlastisouttoprotectthesepeopleSurkovgotinontheactwhen
hethreatenedanendtoresetiftheMagnitskiylistwasadopted.]
InAugustof2013,theInvestigativeCommitteedeclaredthatitcouldfindnoevidencethatStepanovahadcommittedanycrimes:
http://grani.ru/Events/Crime/m.220977.html
ThentherewasthestoryofawealthyRussianlivinginLondonwhomayhavebeenpoisonedfromthe20May2015notes:
[RussianmillionaireAlexanderPerepilichnymayhavebeenpoisoned(Magnitskiy)
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/521757.html
WikicommonsTheallegedfraudschemehadinitiallybeenexposedbylawyerSergeiMagnitsky,whodiedinaMoscowdetentioncenterin2009.
DeceasedRussianmillionaireAlexanderPerepilichnymayhavebeenpoisonedbyextractsfromarareanddeadlyplant,evidencesuggests,casting
doubtontheinitialtheorythatthebusinessmandiedofnaturalcausesnearhisBritishhome,TheIndependentreportedMonday.
PerepilichnydiedsuddenlywhileoutforajoginNovember2012nearhishomeinWeybridge,inBritain'sSurreyCounty.Hewas44yearsold.
Initially,hewasbelievedtohavediedofnaturalcauses,suchasaheartattack,theBBCreportedinMarch2013.Butasmoreevidencebegan
tricklingin,policedeterminedafullinvestigationshouldbecarriedout,accordingtotheBBC.
PerepilichnydroppeddeadshortlybeforehehadbeensettodeliverevidenceagainstRussianofficialsina$230millionfraudcase,theBBC
reported.TheallegedfraudschemehadinitiallybeenexposedbylawyerSergeiMagnitsky,whodiedinaMoscowdetentioncenterin2009.
TheBBCreportedthatithadseencourtdocumentsattestingthatPerepilichnyrelocatedtoBritainfromRussiain2009becausehefearedforhis
life.
Initially,toxicologytestingledSurreypolicetoconcludethatthedeathhadnotbeensuspicious,butmorerecenttesting,theresultsofwhichwere
revealedatapre-inquesthearing,calledthatinitialconclusionintoquestion,TheIndependentreported.
ThemorerecenttestsproducedevidencethatPerepilichnymayhaveswallowedGelsemium,apoisonousplantnicknamed"heartbreakgrass,"
TheIndependentreported,referringtotheplantas"aknowntoolofassassinsfromRussiaandChina,wherethemosttoxicversionoftheshrub
Gelsemiumelegansgrowsonremotehillsides."
Accordingtothereport,themostrecenthigh-profileassassinationcarriedoutwithGelsemiumwasin2011,whenChinesebillionaireHuangGuang
diedaftereatingcatstewbelievedtohavebeenlacedwiththetoxicsubstance.
"Thisisareallyunusualcasewherethereiscauseforveryseriousconcern,"DijenBasu,alawyerforSurreyPolice,wasquotedbyThe
Independentassayinginthecourt."Wehaveasuspectsubstanceinthestomach."
AninquestintoPerepilichny'sdeathwassettogetunderwayonMonday,buthasbeendelayeduntilSeptembertoprovidetimeforfurther
testing,TheIndependentreported.
More:http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/19/poisoned-russian-whistleblower-was-fatalistic-over-death-
threats?CMP=share_btn_tw
ARussianwhistleblowertookallreasonableprecautionsinthemonthsleadinguptohisdeath,butwasnonethelessfatalisticaboutthreatstokill
himfrompowerfulenemiesinMoscow,afriendhassaid.
AlexanderPerepilichnyycollapsedanddiedinNovember2012outsidehisluxuryhomeinWeybridge,Surrey,afterhehadbeenoutjogging.Surrey
policeinsistedtherewerenosuspiciouscircumstancessurroundinghisdeath.Butapre-inquesthearingheardonMondaythattracesofarareand
deadlyplantpoisonhadbeenfoundinhisstomach.
ThepoisonfromoneoffivepossiblevarietiesofthelethalgelsemiumplantistheweaponofchoiceforChineseandRussianassassins,the
hearingwastold.AplantexpertattheRoyalBotanicGardensinKew,south-westLondon,ProfMoniqueSimmonds,willcarryoutfurtherblood
tests.HerinitialfindingssuggestthatPerepilichnyyingestedpoison.
AlexanderPerepilichnyy,whocameforwardafterthedeathincustodyofMagnitsky.Photograph:Screengrab
PerepilichnyysfriendwhodeclinedtobenamedsaidonTuesday:Hewasaverynicechap.Hewasbright.Heseemedrational.Hetriedtobe
cautiousbutwasdefinitelyquitefatalisticaboutthethreatsagainsthim.ThefriendmetPerepilichnyyonfiveoccasionsafterhefledin2010from
MoscowtotheUKwithhiswifeandtheirtwochildren.ThePerepilichnyyskeptalow-profile,rarelyminglingwiththelargecommunityofRussians
inLondon.Theylivedinthehigh-securityStGeorgesHillestateinWeybridge.
Perepilichnyywasinstrumentalinexposingamassiveallegedmoney-launderingringinvolvingtheRussianmafiaandtheRussianstate.He
provideddetailsofanalleged$230m(148m)fraudcarriedoutbyseniorRussiantaxofficials.Themoneywasallegedlystolenfromtaxespaidby
HermitageCapital,ahedgefundrunbytheUS-bornfinancierBillBrowder.
ThefriendmetPerepilichnyyinaseriesofLondonbarsandrestaurantsinconnectionwiththeinvestigationintotheHermitagefraudallegations.
HisevidenceledSwissprosecutorstofreezeabankaccountcontaining$11mandbelongingtothefamilyofaprominentRussiangovernment
official.Perepilichnyydecidedtocomeforwardafterthearrest,tortureanddeathincustodyofSergeiMagnitsky,HermitageslawyerinMoscow.
Typicallyhedrankwaterortea.Thephotosofhimareprettyaccurate,thoughwhenIsawhimhewasabitskinnier,thefriendsaid.Headdedthat
in2011-12PeripilichnyyhadmentionedthatthesituationinRussiahadbecomedangerousforhimandthathewasreceivingthreats.Theirlast
meetingtookplaceshortlybeforethewhistleblowerssuddendeathon5November2012.Hewas44andhadpreviouslybeenhealthy.
Peripilichnyyswidow,Nataliya,isstillbelievedtobeintheUK.Shehasnotspokenpubliclyaboutherhusbandsdeathandabarristerrepresented
heratMondayshearingatWokingcoronerscourt.ShortlybeforehisdeathPerepilichnyyisunderstoodtohavetakenoutasubstantiallife
insurancepolicy.TheinsurerisbelievedtohavecommissionedtheindependenttoxicologyreportsfromKew.
Simmondsfoundtracesofanionlinkedtothegelsemiumplant,themosttoxicofwhichisGelsemiumelegans.Similartraceswerenotfoundin
bloodsamples.Theexpertwillnowretestbloodandurinesamplesapplyingdifferenttechniquesaswellasasampletakenfromthespleen.
Perepilichnyyslastmealmaybethekeytothecase.In2011aChinesebillionaire,LongLiyuan,diedaftereatingadishofcat-meatstewbelievedto
havebeenlacedwiththepoison.ThatparticularvarietyoftheplantgrowsonlyinAsia.
Browder,anotablecriticofVladimirPutin,hasalsobeenbitterlycriticalofSurreypolicesinvestigation.Browdersaidheinformedthepolice
repeatedlyaboutthethreatsmadeagainstPerepilichnyyintherun-uptohisdeath.Despitethis,detectivesfailedtocarryouttoxicologytestsuntil
threeweeksafterwards.In2013Surreypoliceruledoutthird-partyinvolvementandreferredthedeathtotheSurreycoroner.
Detectiveswillnowcooperatewiththecoronerwhileadditionalworkandclarificationtakesplace,aheadofaninqueston21September,Surrey
policesaidonMonday.TheydeclinedtosaywhethertheyaretreatingPerepilichnyysdeathasmurder.Thecoroner,RichardTravers,has
designatedthreeinterestedparties:thepolice,thevictimsfamilyandtheunnamedinsurer.
LastweekBrowdersentalengthylettertoTraverssettingouthissuspicionsthatthewhistleblowerhadbeenmurdered.Perepilichnyywas
involvedinthemurkyworldofsemi-legalRussiancashandmoney-laundering,andmanyofhisassociatesalwaysfeltthedeathcouldbe
suspicious,evenifinitialtestsappearedtoyieldlittleevidence.
ThebackstorybehindthedeathofMagnitskyinprisonisoneofthedarkestepisodesinrecentRussianhistory,withauthoritiesrefusingto
investigateanyofthefraudallegationsdespitesubstantialevidence.
Magnitskyuncoveredmajorfraudin2008afterbeingretainedbyHermitageCapitaltoinvestigatewhathadhappenedtocompaniesthatwere
illegallyseizedfromthefund.HermitagehadbeenbuiltupbyBrowder,anaturalisedBriton,intothelargestinvestmentvehicleinRussiabeforeit
fellvictimtothefraud.
ThelawyeraccusedanumberofRussianofficialsasbeingbehindthescheme,includingOlgaStepanova,aseniortaxofficial,andherhusband
VladlenStepanov.StepanovaauthorisedahugetaxrebatetoacompanyshortlyafterithadbeenseizedfromHermitage,andintheaftermathboth
sheandherhusbandappearedtopurchasepropertyinDubai.
Magnitskywasjailedbythesameofficialshewasinvestigating,anddiedinprisonafterreceivingnotreatmentforamedicalcondition.Insteadof
prosecutingthoseresponsible,Russianofficialsputthedeadlawyerhimselfontrial,inasurrealcaseinwhichthedefendantscageremained
empty.
Browder,whowasinLondonafterbeingdeclaredbytheRussiangovernmentathreattonationalsecurityandbarredentry,wasalsoputontrial.
Thebusinessman,whohadpreviouslybeenapredatorycapitalistandacheerleaderofVladimirPutin,becameoneoftheregimesharshestcritics,
determinedtoavengeMagnitskysdeathandlobbyingforsanctionsagainstRussia.
Hermitagehassuggestedthattheofficialsworkedwithcrimeworldfiguresaspartofanoverarchingmafiastructure.BasedonHermitages
documents,anumberofthepeopleinvolvedinthecase,suchasStepanova,wereputontheso-calledMagnitskyListandbannedfrom
travellingtotheUSandEuropeanUnion.RussiawassoinfuriatedwiththeMagnitskylistthatitbannedtheadoptionofRussianorphansbyUS
parentsinresponse,aswellasdrawingupitsownlistofanti-Russianwesternpoliticians,whohavebeenbarredfromenteringRussia.
ExactlywhatPerepilichnyysstatuswasinthescheme,aswellashowhebecameawhistleblower,remainssomewhatunclear.
AccordingtofriendsPerepilichnnywhomtheyknewasSanekhadaflairforfinance.Abrilliantmathsandphysicsstudent,hegraduatedin
1991fromtheMoscowInstituteofPhysicsandTechnology.HegothisfirstbreaksellingcomputersandboughthimselfablackMercedes.One
friendsaidthathemovedinaworldfullofallkindsofsharks,thoughhehimselfwashonestandobservedthelaw.
ItisbelievedthatPerepilichnywasinvolvedinofferingsemi-legalfinancialservicestofellowbusinessmen,legalisingmoneyofdubious
provenanceforvariousclientsincludingcorruptofficials.HelostahugeamountofmoneyduringthefinancialcrisisandfledtoLondoninJanuary
2010,wherehelivedalow-profilelifewithhisfamilyinasecurecompound.
Atsomepoint,hepassedanumberofdocumentstoHermitageCapitalthatimplicatedseveralofficialsHermitagewasalreadytrackinginthe
expropriationof$230mfromtheRussianbudget.HermitagepassedthepaperstoSwisspolice,sparkingamajorinvestigation.
PerepilichnyysdocumentsimplicatedtaxofficialStepanovaandStepanovinthefraud.Inhisonlyeverinterview,StepanovtoldaRussian
newspaperin2011thatPerepilichnywasaphysicsandmathsgeniuswhohadstartedfinancialactivitiesbuthadsubsequentlygonemissing.
RussiancourtdocumentsfromacasethesameyearsayPerepilichnyywasoutsidethecountrybecausehefearsforhislife.
AndreyPavlov,alawyerwhowasclosetoStepanov,saidin2012thatPerepilichnyyhadwantedtomakepeacewithStepanovbeforehisdeath.
PavlovclaimedthatPerepilichnyytoldhimduringameetinginacafeatHeathrowairportthathewantedarapprochementwithStepanovand
othersinRussia.HavinghandedoverdocumentstotheSwissprosecutors,Pavlovclaimed,Perepilichnyyhadaccidentallyimplicatedhimselfand
seenmostofhisownfundsfrozen.
Whetherhewasawhistleblowerwhohadgonetopoliceafterhisconsciencegotthebetterofhim,oracorruptfinancierwhohadrattedonhis
associatesafterhefellintofinancialruin,thereisnodoubtthatPerepilichnyyhadpowerfulenemies.]
NavalniywentovertheconnectionsbetweentheembezzlementreportedbyMagnitskiyandtheRolduginoffshore,thenwondered
howthestorycouldpossiblymakesense:http://navalny.com/p/4845/
If,asMoscowclaims,BrowderandMagnitskiyembezzledthemoney,whatkindofsensedoesitmakeforthemtoshiftthemoney
toRoldugin?NothethieveswhostolethemoneyusedsomeofittobuyapartmentsinMoscowandDubaiandshiftedpartof
themoneytoRoldugins(Putinsbestfriend)offshorethatwouldgivethemcompleteimmunityandaguaranteeofsecurity.
LevadapollsRussiansonthePanamaPapers
http://www.levada.ru/2016/04/27/rassledovanie-o-panamskih-offshorah/
Thepollwastakenon22-25AprilHaveyouheardaboutthePanamascandalandifso,doesitinterestyou?Yes,Iveheardof
itanditsinterestingtome14%...Iveheardofit,butamnotinterested29%...Ihaventheardanythingaboutit56%...Hard
tosay2%...
Wasitunexpected/notunexpectedforyoutolearnthatfriendsofthepresidenthadusedoffshores(fromamongthosewhohad
heardofthescandalasaremostoftheremainingresponsestootherquestions)?Unexpected30%...Notunexpected
53%...Hardtoanswer18%
Doesthisinformationcastashadowonthepresidentordoesitnottouchonhimpersonally?ItcastsashadowonPutin
40%...Itdoesnottouchonhimpersonally47%...Hardtoanswer13%
Whatwastheaimofpublishingthematerial?Astrugglefortransparencyintheglobalfinancialsystem12%...Astruggleagainst
businessandpoliticalfigureshidingtheirincomeandavoidingtaxes26%...Todiscreditpoliticiansfromvariouscountries
18%...TodiscreditVladimirPutinpersonally34%...Hardtoanswer10%...
WhatshouldRussiadoabouttheinformationonRussianstakingmoneyoffshore?Conductaninvestigation48%...Legallylimit
orbanRussiancitizensfromsendingmoneyoffshore39%...Other2%...Dontdoanything9%...Hardtoanswer9%...
WilltherebeanyconsequencesinRussiaafterthepublicationofthematerialonoffshoring?Adeclineintrustofthecountrys
leadership16%...Highprofileresignationsinthecountrysleadership15%...Vlastwilladopttoughmeasuresagainstitscritics,
journalists,andoppositionfiguresinordertoheadoffdiscussionofthematerial14%...Other2%...Therewillnotbeany
consequences37%...Hardtoanswer18%...
ThisisaquestionforallrespondentsOfficialshavetofileincome/propertystatementsinApril.Doyouthinkthattheyusually
declarealloftheirpropertyandincomeoronlypartofit?Allofit5%(lastyear,thiswas15%)Mostofit14%(8%last
year)Alesserpartofit40%(40%)Averysmallpart29%(26%)Hardtoanswer12%(12%)
(Allrespondents)DoyouthinkPutinbearsresponsibilityforhighlevelcorruptionandfinancialabuses,ashisopponentssayhe
does?Yes26%(37%inMayoflastyear)Toasignificantdegree33%(43%)Onlypartly25%(14%)Hedoesnot
bearresponsibility9%(3%)Hardtoanswer7%(3%)
(Allrespondents)DoyouthinkPutinisguiltyoftheabuseshisopponentsaccusehimof?Undoubtedly14%(7%inJulyoflast
year16%inAprilof2012)Probably,butIdontreallyknowmuchaboutit37%(29%32%)Eveniftrue,itsmore
importantthecountrybegantolivebetterunderPutin18%(31%25%)IdontbelievethatPutinhasabusedhispower
17%(22%11%)Hardtoanswer14%(12%16%)
LevadapollsontheNationalGuard
http://www.levada.ru/2016/04/28/sozdanie-natsionalnoj-gvardii-rf/
WhywastheNationalGuardcreated?Foramoreeffectivestrugglewiththeterroristthreat24%...Todealwithpossiblemass
disordersconnectedwiththeeconomiccrisisandfallinglivingstandards18%...Todealwithpossiblemassdisordersconnected
withthehostile,anti-RussianactivitiesoftheWest15%...BecauseofthecorruptionandineffectivenessoftheMVDandInternal
Troops12%...Inconnectionwithpossiblemassprotestsduringandafterthe2018presidentialelection6%Itwascreated
forPutinsformerbodyguardZolotovVVPdoesnottrustthecurrentpowerstructures6%...Hardtoanswer19%
Stanovaya:Fivereasonstherewontbeanyreforms
Kudrinhasreturnedtoworkinanofficialcapacitybuttherearenorealgroundsforoptimismregardingreforms.Vlastwillnot
allowany.Why?FirstPutinbelievesthattheeconomicandpoliticalsystemhasbeenformedandisoperatingprettywellthere
maybesomesmallmatterstofix,butPutinseverythingisfineattitudeisthebiggestobstacletoreforms
Secondalackofstrategicplanningorthinkingonthepartofvlast,whichisreactiveinnature.Itsfocusonforeignpolicymeans
thateachtimethereisanexternalchallenge,itstimeformobilizationandrepression.Anychangeisseenasapossiblebasisfor
destabilization.Thus,vlastprefersgraytechnocratstoliberalstrategists.Anyway,liberalstrategistKudrinisntsomuchmakinga
returntovlastasheisgettingclosetovlast.Butevengettingclosetovlasthasatendencytochangestrategistsintotechnocrats
Kudrinusedtosaythattheeconomycouldnotbedevelopedwithoutstructuralreforms,butheisalreadygrowingmore
cautious
Thirdthelogicofabesiegedfortress:thattheWestishostileandwishestoseeRussiadestroyedhasbecomeaxiomaticinvlast.
AndliberalreformsareseenasWesternmakinganyreformersuspect,atleast,aWesternagentatmost.Reformsareseenas
riskyanddestabilizingandperhapsaWesternplot
Fourthreformswithoutpolitics:theresaneternalargumentamongliberalsaboutwhethertobeginreformswithpoliticalor
administrativechanges.Thenon-systemicoppositionsaysthatfirstthereshouldbepoliticalreforms,thenadministrativeKudrin
saystheyshouldbeconductedsimultaneouslyGrefandChubaysthinkadministrativereformscanbecarriedoutunderthecurrent
conditionsanddemocracywillfollowButforPutin,changesinthepoliticalspherehavealreadygonefarandstateadministration
isntdoingsobadly.Soitsamistakethatliberalsinvlastmeanadministrativereformswilltakeplace
Fifthtruedemocracy:theresamyththatPuitnisntafraidofhisratingfallingandisevenpreparedforthat.Butthetruthis
different.Taketheissueofraisingthepensionage.Whenadecisioncanhaveanimpactontheinterestsofmillionsofpeople,
causeassociationswiththe90s,causeafeelingofinjustice,andunderminethepeoplesloveforthepresident,Putinyields.
SociallypanfulreformsareunavoidableaspartofmarkettransformationsPutinisterriblyafraidofbreakinghiscontract,
howeverfrayedattheedges,withthenarod
SowhywasKudrincalledin?Oilpricesaregoingbackupabit,therublehasstrengthened,theelectionsareundercontrol,the
warinUkrainehasbeenfrozen,andPutinhasbeenrehabilitatedregardingSyria.Sovlastneedsapost-waragenda.Bastrykin
hasstatedhis(seethe18and19Aprilnotes).KudrinandGrefhavespoken.Putinseestheproposalsofthesystemicliberalsas
appropriate.Butistheformulationofanagendaanadministrativeorpoliticalproject?Isadialoguefortheelectionsoraplanfor
actionoutsideofthecontextoftheelections?IsPutinpreparingforelectionsorforreforms?Sure,therewillbelongtermprogram
thatresultsfromthereformistitchbutitwillinevitablywinduponPutinsdeskandstaythereasPutinembarksonanother
war
Comment:MaybebringingbackKudriniswhatIsaiditwasabalancingmovesincethesilovikyhavegainedso
muchgroundduringthewarinUkraine,thenSyria,andagesturetotheWest,indicatingPutinwantstotalk,not
fight.AsZubarevichnotedyesterday,someideastheliberalshavebacked,likemakingsomebudgetcuts(shewas
mostlytalkingaboutattheregionallevel,butoptimizationisonethemethatscomeupindiscussionsofthereforms
ofthepowerblock),arebeingcautiouslyimplemented.Butthatdoesntmeantherewillbestructuralreforms.
AnotherlaunchdelayatVostochniyCosmodrome(PutinreprimandsRogozin)
http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/04/russian-leadership-reportedly-not-amused-by-latest-launch-delay/
OnWednesdaymorning,RussianPresidentVladimirPutinandthecountry'sseniorspaceofficial,DeputyPrimeMinister
DmitryRogozin,wereonhandtoseetheinaugurallaunchfromthenewVostochnyCosmodrome,locatedinthefareastof
Russia.Theyhadtobedisappointedafteratechnicalglitchwiththerocketdelayedthelaunchforoneday.
Baseduponanunnamedsource,theRussianTASSagencyreportedthatthedelaycameaftertherocket'sautomated
launchsystem"identifiedaglitchinoneoftheinstrumentsofthecontrolsystemresponsibleforstartingandstoppingthe
engines,fortheseparationofrocketstages,andforthedirectionofflight."Thedelaywasnotduetoaproblemwiththenew
launchinfrastructure,accordingtoreports.
FURTHERREADING
ItisnotclearhowPutintookthedelay,buthewillapparentlyremainatVostochnyfor24hourstoseethelaunchof
theSoyuz-2.1arocketonThursday(10:01pmETWednesday).However,adispleased-lookingRogozinapparently"hastily
withdrew"fromalaunchobservationdeckafterthecancellationanddidnotrespondtoquestionsfromreporters.
Russianspaceofficialsareeagertomoveforwardwiththelaunch.Putinhasconsideredthemodern,$3billionfacilityoneof
hissignatureprojects,yetithasbeenbesetbyhungerstrikes,claimsofunpaidworkers,andotherchallenges.Ayearago,
RussiasProsecutorGeneralreportedthat$126millionhadbeenstolenduringconstruction.Additionally,amandrivinga
diamond-encrustedMercedeswasarrestedafterembezzling$75,000fromtheproject.
ThedelayshavenotreallyhamperedtherobustRussiancommercialspaceprogram,however,asthecountrycanalso
launchsomeofitsrocketsfromfacilitiesinKazakhstan,thePlesetskCosmodromenorthofMoscow,andtheGuianaSpace
CenterinSouthAmerica.HoweverRussia'sspaceagencywantstowinddownitsrelianceonthehistoricBaikonur
CosmodromeinKazakhstan,asithashadtoleasethosefacilitiessincethedissolutionoftheSovietUnion.
Thelaunchtookplacetoday:http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-space-vostochny-idUSKCN0XO1R8
RussialauncheditsfirstrocketfromanewcosmodromeonThursday,adayafteratechnicalglitchforceda
postponementoftheeventinasignofcontinuingcrisisinthenation'sspaceindustry.
AnunmannedSoyuz-2.1Arocket,carryingthreesatellites,roaredintoaclearblueskyfromthelaunchpadatVostochnycosmodrome
intheremoteAmurRegionnearChina'sborderat0501Moscowtime(0201GMT),statetelevisionshowed.
Thesatellitesseparatedfromtherocket'sthirdstageaboutnineminutesintotheflightandheadedfortheirdesignatedorbits,Russian
newsagenciesquotedofficialsfromthespaceagencyRoscosmosassaying.
Thelaunchwascalledofflessthantwominutesbeforelift-offonWednesday,upsettingPresidentVladimirPutin.Hehadflown
thousandsofkilometerstowatchwhatRussianmediaandofficialscalledahistoricevent.
"Iwanttocongratulateyou.Thereissomethingtobeproudof,"PutintoldcosmodromeworkersandRoscosmosofficialsafterwatching
Thursday'slaunchatVostochny,Russianmediareported.
"Theequipmentoverreacheditselfalittlebityesterday,"hesaid."Inprinciple,wecouldhaveheldthelaunchyesterday,butthe
equipmentoverdiditsjobandstoppedthelaunch.Thisisanormalthing."
HisremarkscontrastedwithhistoughwordsafterWednesday'sabortedlaunch,whenhecriticizedRoscosmosandgovernmentofficials
forthelargenumberoftechnicalproblemsinthespaceindustry,sayingthat"thereshouldbeanappropriatereaction".
PutinreprimandedRoscosmosheadIgorKomarovandDeputyPrimeMinisterDmitryRogozin,whoisinchargeofspaceandmilitary
industries,RussiannewsagenciesquotedKremlinspokesmanDmitryPeskovassaying.
Senttime: 04/27/201603:00:24PM
To: DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>
BCc: ottorc@state.gov
Subject: NekrasovFilmCancelled
-
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//NEWSru.com////262016.
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//NEWSru.com////222015.
NEWSru.com:
-
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////
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/27/201603:09:42PM
To: DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>
Subject: Re:NekrasovFilmCancelled
TheNBCinvestigationseemsmoreserious.Safetrip.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr27,2016,at3:05PM,DavidKramer<David.J.Kramer@asu.edu>wrote:

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NEWSru.com:
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////
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/27/201608:45:04AM
Subject: Re:Followup
JustlookattheslidesIsentandtherebuttaltoeachoftheassertions.Ifthat'sallthereis........andthesealsarenotmentioned.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr27,2016,at8:42AM,JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>wrote:
Ihaven'tbeenabletofindalinktothefilm.
OnWednesday,April27,201611:24AM,Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
TheNekrasovfilmissoincompetent........
Icoulddoabetterjobofdiscreditingthe'official'line
http://globalvoices.org/2013/03/12/propaganda-mystery-in-russias-browder-magnitsky-case/
IhelpedKevinwritetheabove.Ifwhat'sallegedistrueabouttheseals,alltheregimehastoiscallin
independentexpertsandverifyit.
It'samongthereasonswhyMagnitskiycallingFillipAlekseyevichonlyisimportant.AndMagnitskiy
didadmittherewereduplicateseals.
SentfrommyiPad
YoumayberightabouttheBrowderPRmachinelotsofe-mailsgoingaroundonthis
stuff...Natehasquicklygottenontopoftheissue.
Chaykacertainlyqualifiesinthecategoryof"incoherentjerks."
IsentNatetheslidesIsentyou.
Iapologizeforthesloppynoteyesterday.WhatImeantwasthatIwasn'tfollowingthe
Magnitskiycaseinlate2007thruhisdeathinNovember2009.SoIhavenorecollectionof
whatwassaidinpublicatthattime.Rather,Ireadallthestuffmadepublicafter
Magnitskiy'smurder.Thatwillteachmetowritewhiledrinkingbeer.
IrereadtheJunetestimonythismorning.Ittriggeredamemory.besidesmynoteonthe
meetingwithBrowder,Ialsowroteupanoteonthedifferentcasenumbersassignedtothe
issuesinvolvedthatincludedsomethoughtsonthatJunedocument.Itallgoestowhen
exactlytheBrowdercrewknewaboutthetheftofthefunds.There'sareferenceinthat
documenttoacertainFillipAlekseyevich,justa1stnameandpatronymic,nolastname.
Heworkedattaxauthority28.Magnitskiyneverdoesthiswithanyoneelseitsticksout
likeasorethumb.Ialwayswonderedwhetherthiswassometypeofsignaltothe
investigatorsthatheknewpreciselywhatwasup.Butit'sonlyspeculation.
Meanwhile,IambeginningtofeelwearealljustapartoftheBrowderPRmachine.WhenI
wrotethenoteonthemeetingwithhim,IendedwithTheUntouchables.HereIwilljust
quotefromtheManWhoShotLibertyValence:whenthelegendbecomesfact,printthe
legend.
Onamuchhappiernote,speakingofincoherentjerks,trythis:
http://www.newsru.com/russia/27apr2016/4aikapanam.html
Orthis
http://www.newsru.com/russia/27apr2016/patrushev.html
SentfrommyiPad
From: Williams,JohnP<WilliamsJP@state.gov>
Senttime: 04/27/201609:30:37AM
To: RobertOtto(robertotto25@gmail.com)<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: FW:Magnitskycase
Justfyi
From:Fried,Daniel
To:Williams,JohnPFlaherty,DanielRCiaccia,SarahJOtto,RobertCurry,DennisLReynolds,NathanielLHollas,RichardJ
Subject:RE:Magnitskycase
Expectyouareright.IthinkweshouldexaminethemovieandtheNBCallegationsiftheseemerge(andBrowdersrebuttal)
usingoriginalsourcematerial,i.e.,IdontwantusacceptinganythingBrowdersaysatfacevalue.Trustornot,andverify.
From:Williams,JohnP
To:Flaherty,DanielRFried,DanielCiaccia,SarahJOtto,RobertCurry,DennisLReynolds,NathanielLHollas,RichardJ
TheNekrasovfilm,bytheway,appearstobefullofeasilyrebuttableaccusations,arealhackjob.Nodoubtthepurpose,
though,istoobfuscateandperhapsdrawattentionawayfromotherembarrassingrevelations,includingthePanamaPapers.
From:Williams,JohnP
To:Flaherty,DanielRFried,DanielMarcos,MilietteCiaccia,SarahJOtto,RobertCurry,DennisLReynolds,NathanielLHollas,
RichardJ
Thetalkingpointslookaccuratefromourpointofview,withthecaveatthatmuchoftheinformationcomesfromBrowders
website.ThequotationsappearaccurateincludingthosefromMagnitskyswrittentestimony.
From:Flaherty,DanielR
Sent:Wednesday,April27,201611:02AM
To:Fried,DanielMarcos,MilietteWilliams,JohnPCiaccia,SarahJOtto,RobertCurry,DennisLReynolds,NathanielLHollas,
RichardJ
Cc:Flaherty,DanielR
Subject:Magnitskycase
AmbassadorFried:INRsaysRussiasInvestigativeCommittee(headedbyBastrykin)droppedtheinvestigationinto
Magnitskiysdeathin2013,acoupleofyearsafterRussiasPresidentialHumanRightsCouncilconcludedMagnitskiyhadbeen
beatenwhileinprison.
INRcolleagues:Pleaseseetheaskbelow.
John:reportersnameisKenDilanian.
From:Marcos,Miliette
To:Flaherty,DanielR
Subject:FW:Followingup-Magnitsky
HiDan,
DanaskedifINRcouldverifytheTPsputtogetherbyKyleParkerbelow.Letmeknowifyouhaveanyquestions.
Thanks,
M
MilietteMarcos
D/CSP
Telephone:+202.736.7118
From:Bartlett,Sean(ForeignRelations)[http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=mailto:Sean_Bartlett@foreign.senate.gov]
Sent:Tuesday,April26,20169:56AM
Cc:DanielCalingaert<Calingaert@FreedomHouse.org>
Subject:FollowingupMagnitsky
HiDavid,
Thanksfortakingmycalljustnow.ThereporterfromNBC,KenDilanian,hasyourphonenumberandItoldhimyouwerefree
afterlunchtimetoday.Daniel,healsohasyouremailaddressandknowsyoureinKiev.
BelowarewhatIthinkextremelyhelpfulbulletsthatKyleParkerputtogetherthatgothroughtheallegationsthereporterlaid
outinhisinitialnote.Hopefullythesearehelpfultoyoubothaswell.
Best,
Sean
SeanBartlett
CommunicationsDirector,DemocraticStaff
U.S.SenateCommitteeonForeignRelations
Phone:202.224.4651
Email:Sean_Bartlett@foreign.senate.gov
Magnitskywasnotalawyer,asBrowdercallshim
Magnitskywasindeedalawyer,whorepresentedtheHermitageFundandmanyotherclientsincourt.Wehaveviewedcourt
documentsevidencingthis.
Furthermore,inSergeiMagnitsky'stestimonytoRussiasInvestigativeCommitteeon5June2008,heconfirmedhisprofession
asalawyer:BasedonmyprofessionalactivityIprovideadvisoryservicesonmattersofRussianlaw.
Finally,RussiasPresidentVladimirPutinsaidatapressconferenceonDecember20,2012:MisterMagnitsky,itisknown,
wasnotsomerightsdefender,hedidnotfightforhumanrights.HewasMisterBrowderslawyer.
Justtobeclear,Magnitskywasnotabarrister,andthereforecouldnotrepresentclientsincriminalcourt,butdidrepresent
clientsincivilcourt.
thereisnoevidencehewasbeateninprison
ThereisoverwhelmingevidencethatSergeiMagnitskywasbeateninprison.
Photographsofhisbeatenbodywereavailabletous,whichshowphysicalevidenceofhimhavingbeenbeaten.
Wereviewedthedetentioncenterprotocol,whichreportsthatMagnitskywasbeatenwithrubberbatonsbyguardsonthe
eveningofNovember16,2009thenighthedied.
InJuly2011,RussiasPresidentialHumanRightsCouncilreferredtothebeatingofMagnitskyandhisinjuriesintheirreport:
Asaresult,Magnitskywascompletelydeprivedofmedicalcarebeforehisdeath.Inaddition,thereisreasonable
suspiciontobelievethatthedeathwastriggeredbybeatingMagnitsky:laterhisrelativesrecordedsmashedknuckles
andbruisesonhisbody.
Magnitsky'sDeathCertificatereferstoacerebralcranialinjury.
TheforensicpostmortemconductedbyRussianstateexpertsreferstoinjuriesonMagnitsky'sbodyconsistentwiththeuseof
rubberbatons.
itsclearfrompoliceandcourtrecordsthathewasntdetainedbecauseheblewthewhistleonanallegedfraudscheme

ThedocumentsthatwehaveshowthatSergeiMagnitskywasarrestedbysubordinatesofRussianpoliceofficerArtem
KuznetsovwhomhehadimplicatedaftertestifyingagainstKuznetsovforinvolvementinthefraudagainsthisclientHermitage
andtheRussianstate.
OnJune5,2008,MagnitskygaveaswornstatementtoRussiasInvestigativeCommitteeinwhichhespecificallynamed
RussianpoliceofficerArtemKuznetsovandRussianinvestigatorPavelKarpov.
OnOctober7,2008,SergeiMagnitskymadeanadditionalswornstatementtoRussiasInvestigativeCommitteeinwhichhe
describedthetheftof5.4billionrubles(~230millionU.S.dollars)ofRussiantaxrevenuebythesamegrouphehaddescribed
inhisinitialtestimonyofJune5,2008aboutthefraudagainsthisclient.
OnNovember21,2008,officerKuznetsovwasassignedtodetainMagnitsky.
OnNovember24,2008,KuznetsovssubordinatesarrestedMagnitsky.
OnOctober14,2009,MagnitskygavefurthertestimonytoRussiasInteriorMinistry,inwhichhereiteratedhisprevious
testimonynamingKuznetsovandotherpoliceofficersstatinghisbelieftheywerecomplicitinthefraudagainsthisclientandin
thetheftof5.4billionrublesofstatefunds.
HewasdetainedovertaxevasionbyBrowderscompanies
ThetaxevasionchargewasapretextusedfordetainingSergeiMagnitskyafterhistestimoniesimplicatinggovernment
officials.ThisisreferencedintheU.S.DepartmentofStates2009CountyReportsonHumanRightsPractices,whichstates,
AfterMagnitskygavetestimonyincourtin2008againstKuznetsovandKarpov,officialschargedandarrestedhimontax
evasionchargesthatmanyobserversbelievedwerefabricated.
Infact,therearecredibleallegationsincourtdocumentsthatBrowderandhisassociatesaresuspectsinthefraudand
thatBrowderconcoctedthewhistleblowerstorytocoverthatup.
TheU.S.DepartmentofJusticerejectsthispositioninthegovernment'sfilingwiththe2ndCircuitAppealsCourtaboutthis
case:
fortheavoidanceofdoubt,Baker&Hostetlersaccusationsarefalse.Hermitageisavictimnotaperpetrator
oftheRussianTreasuryFraudInanyevent,thereisnoquestionherethatthe[USGovernment]complaintalleges
HermitageisavictimoftheRussianTreasuryFraud.26Thatfraudresultedin,amongotherthings:alaw
enforcementraidontheofficesofHermitageanditslawfirm(A.312-13(Compl.24-25))thetheftofthree
HermitageFundcorporations(A.313-14(Compl.26-28))thefraudulentimpositionofhundredsofmillionsof
dollarsoffictitiousliabilitiesuponthem(A.314-17(Compl.29-37))theuseofthesestolencompaniesto
perpetrateatheftfromRussiantaxpayers(A.317-20(Compl.38-45))theneedforextensivelegalactionto
remediatethefraud(A.322-23(Compl.55-56,59))andtheinstitutionofretaliatorycriminalproceedingsagainst
Hermitageagentswhoreportedthefraud(A.323-25,327(Compl.58,61-68,72))Indeed,Baker&Hostetler
itself,inconnectionwithitspriorrepresentationofHermitage,hasexplicitlyrecognizedthatHermitageisavictimof
theRussianTreasuryFraud.Case16-132,Document118,02/16/2016.
Allthesupposedlyindependentreportsaboutthisinthemediaand,forexample,bytheCouncilofEurope,gottheirkey
informationfromBrowderorfrompeoplewhotracebacktoBrowder
Ofcourse,wehavecommunicatedwiththevictims,whichincludeSergeiMagnitskysfamily,BillBrowder,andother
representativesofHermitage.WealsocommunicatedwithrepresentativesoftheGovernmentofRussiaandtheEuropean
Union.
TheMagnitskyActistheculminationofexhaustiveinvestigationincludingopensourceandclassifiedmaterials,publicdebate,
andpoliticalnegotiationsspanningtwoCongresses.
AsfortheCouncilofEuropereport,theRapporteurdescribedtheirinformationgatheringinthefollowingmanner:

InordertoallowtheRussianauthoritiestogivemetheirofficialviewsonthedifferentaspectsofthecase,I
wenttoMoscowfirst,between13and16February2013.Next,from25to27April,ItravelledtoLondonin
ordertomeetboththecompetentBritishauthoritiesandSergeiMagnitskysformerclient,BillBrowder.
Alreadyon7January,ImetwiththeSwissProsecutorGeneralandhisDeputyand,on29and30April,withthe
competentCypriotauthorities.Finally,on20and21May2013,IreturnedtoMoscowinordertohearthe
Russianauthoritiesresponsetotheissuesraisedbyalltheotherinterlocutorssincemyfirstvisit.

AsfortheRussianfilmmakeryoumention,IassumeyoumeanAndreiNekrasov.Ifso,NekrasovmayhavebeenaPutincriticatone
time,buthisrecenttrackrecordsuggestsapossiblechangeofheart.Inorabout2010,NekrasovmadeafilmonBelarus,whichwas
pro-Lukashenko.WhileLukashenkoisntPutin,heiscertainlyakindredspiritanditsunusualforsomeoneassociatedwithRussias
democraticoppositiontoflatteranotherregionaldictator.
Ihopethisbackgroundishelpfuland,ifyoudecidetorunthestory,thefollowingquotemaybeattributedtoSenatorCardin,
"AttemptstodefameSergeiMagnitskyareasoldasthecrimeheuncovered.Oneneedonlylooktotheposthumous
prosecutionandconvictionofMagnitskytounderstandthelengthsPutin'sviolentkleptocracyiswillingtogotokeepits
crimeshiddenfromtheRussianpeople.SergeiMagnitskymaybegone,buthislegacyofcourageouspatriotismremainsan
inspirationtothoseinRussia,andaroundtheworld,whoworkforabetterfuture.AndIamproudtostandwiththem."
From: JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Senttime: 04/27/201608:42:54AM
Ihaven'tbeenabletofindalinktothefilm.
IhelpedKevinwritetheabove.Ifwhat'sallegedistrueabouttheseals,alltheregimehastoiscallinindependent
expertsandverifyit.
It'samongthereasonswhyMagnitskiycallingFillipAlekseyevichonlyisimportant.AndMagnitskiydidadmit
therewereduplicateseals.
SentfrommyiPad
YoumayberightabouttheBrowderPRmachinelotsofe-mailsgoingaroundonthisstuff...Natehas
quicklygottenontopoftheissue.
Iapologizeforthesloppynoteyesterday.WhatImeantwasthatIwasn'tfollowingtheMagnitskiycase
inlate2007thruhisdeathinNovember2009.SoIhavenorecollectionofwhatwassaidinpublicat
thattime.Rather,IreadallthestuffmadepublicafterMagnitskiy'smurder.Thatwillteachmetowrite
whiledrinkingbeer.
IrereadtheJunetestimonythismorning.Ittriggeredamemory.besidesmynoteonthemeetingwith
Browder,Ialsowroteupanoteonthedifferentcasenumbersassignedtotheissuesinvolvedthat
includedsomethoughtsonthatJunedocument.ItallgoestowhenexactlytheBrowdercrewknew
aboutthetheftofthefunds.There'sareferenceinthatdocumenttoacertainFillipAlekseyevich,justa
1stnameandpatronymic,nolastname.Heworkedattaxauthority28.Magnitskiyneverdoesthis
withanyoneelseitsticksoutlikeasorethumb.Ialwayswonderedwhetherthiswassometypeof
signaltotheinvestigatorsthatheknewpreciselywhatwasup.Butit'sonlyspeculation.
Meanwhile,IambeginningtofeelwearealljustapartoftheBrowderPRmachine.WhenIwrotethe
noteonthemeetingwithhim,IendedwithTheUntouchables.HereIwilljustquotefromtheManWho
ShotLibertyValence:whenthelegendbecomesfact,printthelegend.
Orthis
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/27/201608:35:48AM
To: Reynolds,NathanielL<ReynoldsNL@state.gov>
Cc: Williams,JohnP<WilliamsJP@state.gov>Otto,Robert<OttoRC@state.gov>Curry,DennisL<CurryDL@state.gov>
Subject: Re:TrendingTodayinRussianSocialMedia
StepanovaworkedatTaxAuthority28,not29asNavalnyyhasit.
TheagentfreedomnonsensecamefrominsideRussiaKISELEVairedonlyasmallpartofit.Nekrasov,whosepreviousfilms
wereontheLitvinenkomurderandthe1999bombings,isno(obvious)regimetoollikePopov.
Meanwhile,aftertheChaykafilm,ChaykahimselfwentonaboutBrowderkillingMagnitskiy,itselfadistinctechoofaZavtra
piecein2011
http://zavtra.ru/content/view/2011-08-1621/
IthastobereadtobebelievedandtheZavtracrowdaskssomesharpquestionsattheend.DidBrowderknowStepanovaat
28,forexample?
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr27,2016,at6:40AM,Reynolds,NathanielL<ReynoldsNL@state.gov>wrote:
Yes,andmaybeexplainsBrowdersappearanceintheagentfreedompiecefromKiselev,whichwasfollowedby
BastrykinsdecisiontoopenacheckonBrowderslinktoMagnitskysmurder.
TheresalsoanewdocumentaryfromaRussianfilmmakerthatclaimstouncoverliesinBrowdersversionofwhat
happenedintheMagnitskycase.ItwasshownintheEuropeanParliamenttoday.Ihavetothinkthatwaswellinthe
worksbeforethePanamapapers.
From:Williams,JohnP
To:Otto,RobertReynolds,NathanielLCurry,DennisL
Cc:RobertOtto(robertotto25@gmail.com)
Subject:FW:TrendingTodayinRussianSocialMedia
MaybethishassomeconnectiontotheNBCreportersinvestigation
From:Hagengruber,MathewL
Subject:TrendingTodayinRussianSocialMedia
TrendingTodayinRussianSocialMedia

1.MagnitskymoneyinRolduginsaccounts
2.Extracredit
1.MorePanamaPapersfalloutthistimeitsMagnitskyandRoldugin:Itsa
complicatedpapertrailtofollow,butitappearsthatanoffshorecompanyownedbyPutin
friendandcellistSergeiRolduginreceivedmoneytiedtotheSergeiMagnitskytaxevasion
case.ThisOCCRParticlelaysitalloutingreatdetail.Liberal/independentmediaoutlets
quicklypickeduponthisstoryanditwasabigtopiconsocialmedialastnightandintotoday.
Theunanimousconclusionamongsocialmediainfluencers:Putinhimselfwoundupwiththe
moneyfromtheHermitageCapital/Magnitskycase.

(JournalistandprolificsocialmediacommenterOlegKashin)
Wowwowwowwow
Headline:MoneystolenfromHermitageCapitalwasfoundinPutinsbestfriendsoffshore.
<image001.jpg>
(MikhailKhodorkovsky)
Monstrousinformation.Realmafia?OCCRP:inRolduginsoffshoreswasthemoneyMagnitskywaslookingfor.
<image002.jpg>
(InvestigativejournalistRomanDobrokhotov)
Youvemisunderstood.RolduginsoldararecellotoMagnitsky.Themoneyhegotwasgiventochildren!No,notto
Putin'schildren,justordinarychildren.
<image003.jpg>
(OppositionDumaDeputyDmitryGudkov)
InthestorywithRoldugin,thestolentaxmoneybyBrowdersfirmsandMagnitsky'sdeath,thereisonepointthat
youshouldunderstand.ItwasthemurderofMagnitskythatbecamethefirstsignofthecurrentcrisisofpower.It
wasthefirsthigh-profilescandalabouttheRussianelite.WhentheywerelootingYukos,tryingtocoveritupwiththe
courtandthelaw.Hereitwasjustfraudandamurder.Therefore,fromthefirstcrimetheyincreasedthesanctions
againsttheRussianofficials.Therefore,afterthemurderofMagnitsky,theyforcedtheDumaintosubmission,
draggingthelawofscoundrels.Thiswasthebeginningandtheinternationalisolation,thefirstexperienceof"anti-
sanctions.ThatswhyforpropagandaandkleptocratsBrowderbecameanewTrotsky,thenumberoneenemy.
Thatshowthebenefitofpettycriminalscausedirreparableharmtothecountry.
<image004.jpg>
(Anti-corruptionactivistAlexeyNavalny)
Read,wereexplainingthesensationalcontinuationofthe"Panamadossier"investigationhttp://navalny.com/p/4845/
FromNavalnysblog:LetmeremindyouthemainplotofMagnitskycase:Theemployeesofthe29thtaxagency
hustledtheschemewiththeallegedovertaxreturnonincometaxandVAT.Theyprovidedforgeddocumentsand
withtheirhelp"returned"billionsfromthebudget.Severalcompanies,stolenduringpoliceraidsintheHermitagefund
(youcannotputbillionsintoshellcompanies),wereusedintheseschemes.SergeiMagnitskywastheauditorofthese
companies,hedetectedtheillegal"return"scheme,afterwhichhewasarrestedandtorturedtodeathinprison.Andit
wasabsolutelyunclearwhytheyredefendingthesewomenfromthetaxagency?TheyboughtvillasinDubaiand
housesonRublevkasoopenlyNowitisclearwhy.ThetaxschemesbyStepanovawerefeedinganothervery
famousVladimir.Todaycameupthecontinuationofthestoryof"Putin'spurse"cellistRolduginItwasthe
"Magnitskycase"figureswhotransferredthemoneyin"Putin'spurse".Anditwasnotjustthesamepeoplebutthe
samemoney.Almostonemilliondollarsoutofthestolen230millionwaspaidtothecompany,100%ownedby
Putin'sbestfriend.
<image005.jpg>
HowOlgaStepanovawasfillingVladimirPutinspursehttp://navalny.com/p/4845/
<image006.jpg>
(CartoonistSergeyElkinmanagedtoconnectthePanamaPaperstothenewseasonofGameofThrones)
Cartoontext:GameofCellos:newseason.
Usercomment:Rolduginswashingmachine:yourmoneylovesthismusic
<image007.jpg>

===============
2.Extracredit
Ruscpr(RussianPravda)FacebookcommunitypostedavideoofagingfemalevolunteersfromtheUnited
Russiapoliticalpartygettingrudimentarymartialartstraining,supposedlyinpreparationfortheUnifiedVotingDay.
ThevideohasmesmerizedRuNet,scoring2,300sharesandover200,000views.
<image008.jpg>
BloggerRustemAdagamovandotherssharedaphotoshowingafoodcollectionforpeoplelivingin
villages.
First,these(expletives)crushfoodwithbulldozersandthenbegintocollect"productsforthevillages."
<image009.jpg>
Bothpro-andanti-KremlinvoiceshavetakennoteofthehungerstrikeofSavikShuster,aCanadian-
UkrainianjournalistwhoisunderinvestigationinKyivonwhathecallstrumpeduppoliticalcharges.
(Pro-KremlinpoliticalactivistFilipMaslovskiy)
Shustersuddenlyrealizedthecriminalnatureofthejuntaregime,notbecauseofthemurderofhiscolleagueBuzina,
butbecauseofthelossofthejobasashepherdofsvidomits[anegative,post-SovietnicknameforUkrainians
usedbypro-Kremlintrolls]
<image010.jpg>
Andanothertweetfromhim:
Schustershouldnotbeoffendedhejustgotakickfromthechildrenofthosewho,withoutbattinganeye70years
ago,wouldveguttedhimforbeingajournalistnamedSavik.
<image011.jpg>

Webprogrammershavediscoveredthatthequasi-pro-KremlinmediaoutletGazeta.rublockssearcheson
itssiteforanyofitsmanyarticlesrelatedtothe2001Kursksubmarinetragedy.
(FormerLenta.runewmediaproducerIgorBelkin)
Theyveevenmodifiedtheirrobots.txtfile,realpros!)
<image012.jpg>
<image013.jpg>
LifeNewsandotherstate-runmediaoutletsreportedonthesuccessfullaunchofarocketatthenew
VostochnyCosmodrome,aRussianspacecenterintendedtoreduceRussiasdependenceonlaunching
fromKazakhstan.Exceptthelaunchwasntsuccessfulatallitwascancelledatthelastminute.Being
whotheyare,LifeNewsneverbotheredtotakedowntheirarticle,butaddedashortcorrectionattheend.
(TheStopfakepropagandadebunkingpage)
TypicalLifenewssection
<image014.jpg>
RussianmediaoutletsyesterdayquotedananonymousSwisssourcewhosaidthatAmericanofficialshad
toldWesterncountriestoavoidtheupcomingeconomicforuminSt.Petersburg.
(VKpublikNOVOROSS-DONETSK,YettoCome!)
[Americanexpletives]arebanning"free"EuropeansfromvisitingRussia
<image015.jpg>
JournalistLeonidRagozinandotherssharedapopularvideoaboutwhathappenstopeoplewhospeak
RussianinLviv,Ukraine[spoiler:theoldLvivbabushkashootstheRussianspeakeronthespot,andneo-
Nazinationalistsrunthroughthevideo]
IwasactuallyaskedbyacoupleofpeopleinMoscowwhatisthesituationwiththeRussianlanguageinLviv.Hereit
isallthetruth!J
<image016.jpg>
TrendingTodayisaquickdailyroundupofthehottopicsonRussiansocialmediaandisproducedby
thePressOfficeattheU.S.EmbassyinMoscow.
ThisemailisUNCLASSIFIED.
Senttime: 04/27/201608:23:58AM
IhelpedKevinwritetheabove.Ifwhat'sallegedistrueabouttheseals,alltheregimehastoiscallinindependentexpertsand
verifyit.
It'samongthereasonswhyMagnitskiycallingFillipAlekseyevichonlyisimportant.AndMagnitskiydidadmittherewere
duplicateseals.
SentfrommyiPad
YoumayberightabouttheBrowderPRmachinelotsofe-mailsgoingaroundonthisstuff...Natehas
quicklygottenontopoftheissue.
Iapologizeforthesloppynoteyesterday.WhatImeantwasthatIwasn'tfollowingtheMagnitskiycase
inlate2007thruhisdeathinNovember2009.SoIhavenorecollectionofwhatwassaidinpublicat
thattime.Rather,IreadallthestuffmadepublicafterMagnitskiy'smurder.Thatwillteachmetowrite
whiledrinkingbeer.
IrereadtheJunetestimonythismorning.Ittriggeredamemory.besidesmynoteonthemeetingwith
Browder,Ialsowroteupanoteonthedifferentcasenumbersassignedtotheissuesinvolvedthat
includedsomethoughtsonthatJunedocument.ItallgoestowhenexactlytheBrowdercrewknew
aboutthetheftofthefunds.There'sareferenceinthatdocumenttoacertainFillipAlekseyevich,justa
1stnameandpatronymic,nolastname.Heworkedattaxauthority28.Magnitskiyneverdoesthis
withanyoneelseitsticksoutlikeasorethumb.Ialwayswonderedwhetherthiswassometypeof
signaltotheinvestigatorsthatheknewpreciselywhatwasup.Butit'sonlyspeculation.
Meanwhile,IambeginningtofeelwearealljustapartoftheBrowderPRmachine.WhenIwrotethe
noteonthemeetingwithhim,IendedwithTheUntouchables.HereIwilljustquotefromtheManWho
ShotLibertyValence:whenthelegendbecomesfact,printthelegend.
Orthis
SentfrommyiPad
From: JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Senttime: 04/27/201607:55:07AM
YoumayberightabouttheBrowderPRmachinelotsofe-mailsgoingaroundonthisstuff...Natehasquickly
gottenontopoftheissue.
Iapologizeforthesloppynoteyesterday.WhatImeantwasthatIwasn'tfollowingtheMagnitskiycaseinlate2007
thruhisdeathinNovember2009.SoIhavenorecollectionofwhatwassaidinpublicatthattime.Rather,Ireadall
thestuffmadepublicafterMagnitskiy'smurder.Thatwillteachmetowritewhiledrinkingbeer.
IrereadtheJunetestimonythismorning.Ittriggeredamemory.besidesmynoteonthemeetingwithBrowder,I
alsowroteupanoteonthedifferentcasenumbersassignedtotheissuesinvolvedthatincludedsomethoughtson
thatJunedocument.ItallgoestowhenexactlytheBrowdercrewknewaboutthetheftofthefunds.There'sa
referenceinthatdocumenttoacertainFillipAlekseyevich,justa1stnameandpatronymic,nolastname.He
workedattaxauthority28.Magnitskiyneverdoesthiswithanyoneelseitsticksoutlikeasorethumb.Ialways
wonderedwhetherthiswassometypeofsignaltotheinvestigatorsthatheknewpreciselywhatwasup.Butit's
onlyspeculation.
Meanwhile,IambeginningtofeelwearealljustapartoftheBrowderPRmachine.WhenIwrotethenoteonthe
meetingwithhim,IendedwithTheUntouchables.HereIwilljustquotefromtheManWhoShotLibertyValence:
whenthelegendbecomesfact,printthelegend.
Orthis
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/27/201606:25:44AM
To: JohnPWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Followup
Iapologizeforthesloppynoteyesterday.WhatImeantwasthatIwasn'tfollowingtheMagnitskiy
caseinlate2007thruhisdeathinNovember2009.SoIhavenorecollectionofwhatwassaidin
publicatthattime.Rather,IreadallthestuffmadepublicafterMagnitskiy'smurder.Thatwi
llteachmetowritewhiledrinkingbeer.
IrereadtheJunetestimonythismorning.Ittriggeredamemory.besidesmynoteonthemeeting
withBrowder,Ialsowroteupanoteonthedifferentcasenumbersassignedtotheissuesinvolved
thatincludedsomethoughtsonthatJunedocument.ItallgoestowhenexactlytheBrowdercrewk
newaboutthetheftofthefunds.There'sareferenceinthatdocumenttoacertainFillipAlekse
yevich,justa1stnameandpatronymic,nolastname.Heworkedattaxauthority28.Magnitskiy
neverdoesthiswithanyoneelseitsticksoutlikeasorethumb.Ialwayswonderedwhetherthis
wassometypeofsignaltotheinvestigatorsthatheknewpreciselywhatwasup.Butit'sonlys
peculation.
Meanwhile,IambeginningtofeelwearealljustapartoftheBrowderPRmachine.WhenIwrote
thenoteonthemeetingwithhim,IendedwithTheUntouchables.HereIwilljustquotefromthe
ManWhoShotLibertyValence:whenthelegendbecomesfact,printthelegend.
Orthis
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/26/201604:09:12PM
To: JohnP.Williams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re:Magnitskiy
Idowonderwhatthestoryiswithhim.NeithertheLitvinenkonor1999flicscomportwitharegimetool.Diditgettohim
somehoworishejustactingingoodfaith?
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at3:12PM,JohnP.Williams<willijp1@yahoo.com>wrote:
Right.
SentfrommyiPhone
OnApr26,2016,at6:10PM,Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
Yes,butNekrasovisnoKiselev.
SentfrommyiPad
WilltellKelly.
DidnotgotoDavid's.
InterestingtonoterecentlinkingofBrowderwithNavalniyandthenthisinquiry...theold
"whynow"question.
SentfrommyiPhone
DoesKellyknowyouwillbeout?
DidyougotoDavid's?
Asforthechronology,Hermitagefiledcomplaintsaboutthetheftofthefirms
asearlyasFebruary2008.
Publicstatements,however,wouldnotbeinmymemorybank.When
Browderetalwentpublicisatopicyou'dneednexusLexustoaccomplish.
Ionlystartedfollowingthismattercloselyafterhisdeath,whichiswhen
Browdermadeallthisstuffpublic
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at2:45PM,JohnP.Williams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
wrote:
YeahIknow...thismaystillbearoundonyourreturn.Iwillbe
outMondaybytheway.
SentfrommyiPhone
OnApr26,2016,at5:42PM,Bob
<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
Um,huh?Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?
TheactualtheftoccursonDecember24,2007.
That'sthedaythetaxauthority28authorizedthe
rebatetothefirmsillegallyreregistered.
Magnitskiy.knewabouttheillegalreregistration
ofthethreecompaniesthatappliedfortherebate
atleastasofJune2008.Hedoesn'tmentionany
theftofbudgetfundsintheJunetestimony,though.
ThatcomesinOctober2008-4thpage2ndfull
parathatIalreadysent.
ThesiteclaimsthatMagnitskiydiscoveredthe
theftonlyinJuly2008andHermitagefiled
complaintsthatsamemonth:seethedocumentsat
thebottomofthepage.
http://russian-untouchables.com/eng/230m-theft-
from-budget/
Atanyrate,Browdermaywellhavegonepublic
beforetheOctobertestimony,butheclaimshegot
theinfofromMagnitskiy.
AmImissingsomething?
GoodthingIdidn'tfilealeaveslip.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at1:53PM,JohnWilliams
<willijp1@yahoo.com>wrote:
Partofthis"reporter's"
argumentisthatMagnitskyonly
mentionedthe$230milliontax
evasionschemeafterBrowder
raiseditpublicly.Doyouknow
whetherthat'strue?(passingon
thisquestionfromelsewhere)
OnTuesday,April26,201610:32AM,
Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
KarpovandKuznetsovare
mentionedintheJunetestimony
multipletimesandMagniskiy
refersbacktoitintheOctober
document.
Asforembellishment,Ihavea
theory/hypothesisthat'sbestleft
forafacetofacechat.
Thatsaid,mostofwhatweknow
doescomeBrowder
supplementedwithstufffrom
novaya.There'snodoubtthat
theindividualsinvolvedwereare
apartofacorruptnetwork.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at7:19AM,
JohnWilliams
Yeah,Ithinkthere's
nodoubtBrowder
hasembellished
alongtheway,which
maycomebackto
haunthim.
OnTuesday,April26,
201610:14AM,Bob
<robertotto25@gmail.com>
wrote:
Ontheother
hand.....whenKarpov
suedBrowderinUK,
thejudgethrewthe
caseoutofcourt.
Browdertoutsthis.
Butthejudgealso
statedthatBrowder
hadnoevidencethat
Karpovwasinvolved
inMagnitskiy's
tortureandmurder.
Idon'thavemyfiles
here,butIdohave
thecompleteverdict
athome
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at
7:10AM,John
Williams
<willijp1@yahoo.com>
wrote:
Thanks.
On
Tuesday,
April26,
20169:58
AM,Bob
wrote:
http://russian-
untouchables.com/eng/testimonies/
His
testimonies.
Seethe
October
2008,
4th
page,
2ndfull
para.
Sent
frommy
iPad
From: JohnP.Williams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Senttime: 04/26/201603:12:24PM
Right.
SentfrommyiPhone
SentfrommyiPad
WilltellKelly.
DidnotgotoDavid's.
InterestingtonoterecentlinkingofBrowderwithNavalniyandthenthisinquiry...theold"whynow"
question.
SentfrommyiPhone
DidyougotoDavid's?
Asforthechronology,Hermitagefiledcomplaintsaboutthetheftofthefirmsasearlyas
February2008.
Publicstatements,however,wouldnotbeinmymemorybank.WhenBrowderetalwent
publicisatopicyou'dneednexusLexustoaccomplish.Ionlystartedfollowingthismatter
closelyafterhisdeath,whichiswhenBrowdermadeallthisstuffpublic
SentfrommyiPad
YeahIknow...thismaystillbearoundonyourreturn.IwillbeoutMonday
bytheway.
SentfrommyiPhone
TheactualtheftoccursonDecember24,2007.That'stheday
thetaxauthority28authorizedtherebatetothefirmsillegally
reregistered.
Magnitskiy.knewabouttheillegalreregistrationofthethree
companiesthatappliedfortherebateatleastasofJune2008.
Hedoesn'tmentionanytheftofbudgetfundsintheJune
testimony,though.
ThatcomesinOctober2008-4thpage2ndfullparathatI
alreadysent.
ThesiteclaimsthatMagnitskiydiscoveredthetheftonlyinJuly
2008andHermitagefiledcomplaintsthatsamemonth:seethe
documentsatthebottomofthepage.
http://russian-untouchables.com/eng/230m-theft-from-budget/
Atanyrate,Browdermaywellhavegonepublicbeforethe
Octobertestimony,butheclaimshegottheinfofrom
Magnitskiy.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at1:53PM,JohnWilliams
Partofthis"reporter's"argumentisthat
Magnitskyonlymentionedthe$230million
taxevasionschemeafterBrowderraisedit
publicly.Doyouknowwhetherthat'strue?
(passingonthisquestionfromelsewhere)
OnTuesday,April26,201610:32AM,Bob
KarpovandKuznetsovarementionedinthe
Junetestimonymultipletimesand
MagniskiyrefersbacktoitintheOctober
document.
Asforembellishment,Ihavea
theory/hypothesisthat'sbestleftforafaceto
facechat.
Thatsaid,mostofwhatweknowdoes
comeBrowdersupplementedwithstufffrom
novaya.There'snodoubtthatthe
individualsinvolvedwereareapartofa
corruptnetwork.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at7:19AM,JohnWilliams
Yeah,Ithinkthere'snodoubt
Browderhasembellishedalong
theway,whichmaycomeback
tohaunthim.
Ontheotherhand.....when
KarpovsuedBrowderinUK,the
judgethrewthecaseoutof
court.Browdertoutsthis.But
thejudgealsostatedthat
Browderhadnoevidencethat
Karpovwasinvolvedin
Magnitskiy'stortureandmurder.
Idon'thavemyfileshere,butI
dohavethecompleteverdictat
home
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at7:10AM,
JohnWilliams
Thanks.
OnTuesday,April26,
20169:58AM,Bob
wrote:
http://russian-
Histestimonies.
SeetheOctober
2008,4thpage,2nd
fullpara.
SentfrommyiPad
Senttime: 04/26/201603:10:58PM
To: JohnP.Williams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
SentfrommyiPad
WilltellKelly.
DidnotgotoDavid's.
InterestingtonoterecentlinkingofBrowderwithNavalniyandthenthisinquiry...theold"whynow"question.
SentfrommyiPhone
DidyougotoDavid's?
Asforthechronology,HermitagefiledcomplaintsaboutthetheftofthefirmsasearlyasFebruary
2008.
Publicstatements,however,wouldnotbeinmymemorybank.WhenBrowderetalwentpublicisa
topicyou'dneednexusLexustoaccomplish.Ionlystartedfollowingthismattercloselyafterhisdeath,
whichiswhenBrowdermadeallthisstuffpublic
SentfrommyiPad
YeahIknow...thismaystillbearoundonyourreturn.IwillbeoutMondaybytheway.
SentfrommyiPhone
TheactualtheftoccursonDecember24,2007.That'sthedaythetax
authority28authorizedtherebatetothefirmsillegallyreregistered.
Magnitskiy.knewabouttheillegalreregistrationofthethreecompaniesthat
appliedfortherebateatleastasofJune2008.Hedoesn'tmentionanytheft
ofbudgetfundsintheJunetestimony,though.
ThatcomesinOctober2008-4thpage2ndfullparathatIalreadysent.
ThesiteclaimsthatMagnitskiydiscoveredthetheftonlyinJuly2008and
Hermitagefiledcomplaintsthatsamemonth:seethedocumentsatthebottom
ofthepage.
Atanyrate,BrowdermaywellhavegonepublicbeforetheOctober
testimony,butheclaimshegottheinfofromMagnitskiy.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at1:53PM,JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>wrote:
Partofthis"reporter's"argumentisthatMagnitskyonly
mentionedthe$230milliontaxevasionschemeafter
Browderraiseditpublicly.Doyouknowwhetherthat's
true?(passingonthisquestionfromelsewhere)
KarpovandKuznetsovarementionedintheJune
testimonymultipletimesandMagniskiyrefersbacktoit
intheOctoberdocument.
Asforembellishment,Ihaveatheory/hypothesisthat's
bestleftforafacetofacechat.
Thatsaid,mostofwhatweknowdoescomeBrowder
supplementedwithstufffromnovaya.There'snodoubt
thattheindividualsinvolvedwereareapartofacorrupt
network.
SentfrommyiPad
Yeah,Ithinkthere'snodoubtBrowderhas
embellishedalongtheway,whichmaycome
backtohaunthim.
Ontheotherhand.....whenKarpovsued
BrowderinUK,thejudgethrewthecaseout
ofcourt.Browdertoutsthis.Butthejudge
alsostatedthatBrowderhadnoevidence
thatKarpovwasinvolvedinMagnitskiy's
tortureandmurder.
Idon'thavemyfileshere,butIdohavethe
completeverdictathome
SentfrommyiPad
Thanks.
http://russian-
Histestimonies.Seethe
October2008,4thpage,2ndfull
para.
SentfrommyiPad
From: JohnP.Williams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Senttime: 04/26/201603:08:55PM
WilltellKelly.
DidnotgotoDavid's.
InterestingtonoterecentlinkingofBrowderwithNavalniyandthenthisinquiry...theold"whynow"question.
SentfrommyiPhone
DidyougotoDavid's?
Asforthechronology,HermitagefiledcomplaintsaboutthetheftofthefirmsasearlyasFebruary2008.
Publicstatements,however,wouldnotbeinmymemorybank.WhenBrowderetalwentpublicisatopicyou'd
neednexusLexustoaccomplish.Ionlystartedfollowingthismattercloselyafterhisdeath,whichiswhenBrowder
madeallthisstuffpublic
SentfrommyiPad
YeahIknow...thismaystillbearoundonyourreturn.IwillbeoutMondaybytheway.
SentfrommyiPhone
TheactualtheftoccursonDecember24,2007.That'sthedaythetaxauthority28
authorizedtherebatetothefirmsillegallyreregistered.
Magnitskiy.knewabouttheillegalreregistrationofthethreecompaniesthatappliedfor
therebateatleastasofJune2008.Hedoesn'tmentionanytheftofbudgetfundsinthe
Junetestimony,though.
ThatcomesinOctober2008-4thpage2ndfullparathatIalreadysent.
ThesiteclaimsthatMagnitskiydiscoveredthetheftonlyinJuly2008andHermitagefiled
complaintsthatsamemonth:seethedocumentsatthebottomofthepage.
Atanyrate,BrowdermaywellhavegonepublicbeforetheOctobertestimony,buthe
claimshegottheinfofromMagnitskiy.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at1:53PM,JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>wrote:
Partofthis"reporter's"argumentisthatMagnitskyonlymentioned
the$230milliontaxevasionschemeafterBrowderraisedit
publicly.Doyouknowwhetherthat'strue?(passingonthis
questionfromelsewhere)
OnTuesday,April26,201610:32AM,Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
KarpovandKuznetsovarementionedintheJunetestimonymultiple
timesandMagniskiyrefersbacktoitintheOctoberdocument.
Asforembellishment,Ihaveatheory/hypothesisthat'sbestleftfora
facetofacechat.
Thatsaid,mostofwhatweknowdoescomeBrowder
supplementedwithstufffromnovaya.There'snodoubtthatthe
individualsinvolvedwereareapartofacorruptnetwork.
SentfrommyiPad
OnApr26,2016,at7:19AM,JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
wrote:
Yeah,Ithinkthere'snodoubtBrowderhasembellished
alongtheway,whichmaycomebacktohaunthim.
Ontheotherhand.....whenKarpovsuedBrowderinUK,
thejudgethrewthecaseoutofcourt.Browdertouts
this.ButthejudgealsostatedthatBrowderhadno
evidencethatKarpovwasinvolvedinMagnitskiy's
tortureandmurder.
Idon'thavemyfileshere,butIdohavethecomplete
verdictathome
SentfrommyiPad
Thanks.
http://russian-
Histestimonies.SeetheOctober2008,4th
page,2ndfullpara.
SentfrommyiPad

Magnitskiy 1

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