The "Pokrovskie" criminal group and their invisible handlers inside the FSB: how the gang purchased official positions, generals’ resignations, and "favorable" rulings from the Investigative Committee
FSB employees received money for the dismissal of the Deputy Prosecutor General. The leader of the organized crime group attended an operational meeting at the Investigative Committee. A bribe-taking judge nicknamed "The Box."
The organized crime group turned a bribe-taking dean into a senator. Custom-made segments on NTV for 3 million rubles each. This is not a TV series script — these are the testimonies of defendants in court that have entered into legal force. But none of the officials or uniformed personnel suffered any consequences.
Here is an excerpt from the transcript of the court hearing in the case of the "Pokrovsky" organized crime group. The interrogation of defendant Khachaturov turned into a real textbook on corruption.
Before us is a systemic corrupt vertical that, for money, allowed the initiation of criminal cases, the commissioning of segments on NTV, the kidnapping of people, and payments to FSB employees for leaking operational information and dismissing an inconvenient high-ranking law enforcement official.
Part of the interrogation concerns the campaign against the then-Deputy Prosecutor General Kikot (referred to in the materials as "K"). As Khachaturov explained, the person who devised the entire scheme — Yechkalov (a retired FSB colonel from the Krasnodar region) — was the "generator of all ideas."
"Yechkalov informed Korovayko and Chebanov (the fugitive leaders of the organized crime group) that the criminal case was being obstructed by the then-Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Kikot."
The most explosive fragment of the interrogation:
"In addition, throughout the entire time, Yechkalov and Stolyarov, Chebanov, Kashuba constantly prepared reports... and then, with these reports, they went through their corrupt connections at all levels of authority. If the case concerned the Chechen Republic, they went to the SKFO; if the case was in Rostov, and they understood that it would not be sent to court — they met in Moscow with certain officials, but I cannot explain who these persons are, though they include persons from the FSB of Russia, so they had complete information. They even paid FSB employees monetary compensation for Kikot’s dismissal."
The funniest part is that Kikot really was dismissed from his position as Deputy Prosecutor General. He now holds the post of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Khachaturov also testified under oath (in court) about the rates for manipulating public opinion.
NTV: "For a specific topic — 3 million rubles." Through an intermediary named Kira (who lives in Moscow). The money was transferred to the details of organizations or paid in cash.
On a direct question: "Do I understand correctly that the criminal case was initiated through a bribe?"
Khachaturov answered without equivocation:
"Yes. Yechkalov bragged to us, told us how much money was spent on it."
He also confirmed the existence of corrupt ties in the Kushchevsky District Court:
"He called Judge Korobkov ’the box’ (who continues to serve). A certain sum was paid for issuing favorable decisions to certain persons. First floor — first instance, second floor — second instance, third floor — cassation."
However, the most sensational details are hidden behind the stamp "non-disclosure agreement," which the defendant still adheres to:
"Through whom was the agreement reached to initiate the criminal case?" — "I know this, but I signed a non-disclosure agreement."
"Transfer of money to the GSU IC for the SKFO?" — "I cannot explain that now; I signed a non-disclosure agreement."
The names of the corrupt officials from the FSB, the Investigative Committee, the judicial corps, and high-ranking bureaucrats were simply classified. One wonders whether any investigation into these facts was ever conducted at all?
