3 June Basmanny court placed delivered from Vladivostok mayor Igor Pushkarev to two months in jail. He is charged with abuse of office and commercial bribery.
According to investigators, in the period of 2009-2014 Pushkarev “from mercenary or other personal interest” organized the acquisition of the MUPV “Roads of Vladivostok” the group of companies “Vostokcement”, which belongs to his relatives, building materials in large volume. The representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Vladimir Markin said that in relation to the head of Vladivostok Igor Pushkarev and other persons the Department on investigation of especially important cases of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation brought criminal case on signs of crimes under part 3 of article 285УК of the Russian Federation (abuse of official powers that caused grave consequences) and part 3 of article 204УК of the Russian Federation (commercial bribery). Pushkareva also suspect that he gave out government contracts to companies of their relatives. According to the FSB of Russia, the damage from illegal activity of the mayor of Vladivostok exceeds 160 million rubles. Along with Pushkareva was detained head of the municipal enterprise “Roads Vladivostok” Andrey Lushnikov.
I would like to note that this is not the first corruption scandal involving the heads of Vladivostok, one-time head of the city not served his sentence fully, all for any reasons were released early. The last two of the mayor: Yury Kopylov and Vladimir Nikolaev, also left their posts in connection with excitation of criminal cases on signs of structure the crimes provided by articles 285 and 286 of the criminal code.
I. S. Pushkarev started his political career in 2000 when he was elected to the city Council of the city of Spassk-far. 24 ноября2004 years he was the representative from Legislative Assembly of Primorski Krai in the Federation Council of Russia, member of “United Russia”. Before to engage in political activity as necessary to officials in the government, engaged in business, was a representative of big business. Before a bureaucratic chair, rewrote their business to relatives.
According to the press, Pushkarev is among the wealthiest people in the Far East. According to the newspaper “far Eastern capital”, condition Senator in 2007 was estimated at $ 27 million. Earn your first capital, as expected, was in the distant(dashing)90th. He started as a Manager at AOZT “Busan”. In 1995—Commercial Director of “Vlad-Kan. How did you manage to become a commercial Director? It is not clear on this issue there are a lot of assumptions, for example, in mass media there was information that Pushkarev became a major shareholder of Busan” after December 1995 was killed by her head – Korean businessman Kang Hyun-Cheol, and into custody as a suspect took the founder of AOZT Galina Zaikina (which was subsequently released, and the killer was never found.[1]
Of course, direct evidence that would indicate the involvement Pushkareva to murder, no, but the beneficiary was him. In 1997 Pushkarev has created his own firm “Park Групп2 and became its CEO. In the next few years on its basis was created by the eponymous group. Business Pushkareva was associated with the structures of the company Baring Vostok Capital Partners, one of the first private Russian management companies with direct investments and Advisory services. It was reported that the company bought controlling stakes in the beginning of JSC “Spasskcement”, then JSC “teploozersky remcommend” “the alpha-cement” and gave them to the “Park Group” with a condition to repurchase packages. Subsequently, the “Park Group” gradually began to buy shares in the managed companies, simultaneously establishing control over a number of enterprises on production of building materials. It was reported that the structure of LLC “Park Group” consisted of JSC (OAO) “may day ship-repair factory”, JSC “Spasskcement”, “DV-cement” and the trading company Park trading.
In April 2008, Pushkarev, the Extraordinary XV conference of the Primorsky regional branch of the party “United Russia” was approved by the candidate on a post of the head of administration of Vladivostok. Pushkareva candidacy was supported not only United Russia” and “Fair Russia”.
Usually a political figure needs to have charisma, oratorical skills or Express themselves in public life, but in all of the above Pushkarev has not been noticed. How are people so fast moving political career? The answer is simple – money, lots of money.
Pushkareva election campaign was one of the most expensive if not most expensive among all the candidates for the post. The campaign was carried out very aggressive, in the spirit of aggressive advertising, where the consumer is trying to impose the acquisition of unnecessary goods. In our case, the residents of Vladivostok Pushkarev tried to impose as the future head of the city. On every street there were billboards with the slogan “Who is he, the person of the Kremlin?” under the main text sported the name Pushkareva. To say that these billboards had a lot to say nothing.
Promotion and PR of his personality was a whole team of expensive political consultants. With billboards Pushkarev went back on the air, it suddenly started to show on local television to tell about him in other media. Prior to the election campaign of the city’s residents, few people knew of this politician, we can say that no one knew.
Unfortunately, in the conditions of bourgeois democracy, citizens vote for the one who slipped, not understanding and not penetrating: what is this candidate who is behind it, whose class interests he represents? Won the election Pushkarev – this is not surprising, as it was promises, promises and yet more promises. He promised to turn Vladivostok into a civilized and prosperous capital.
Under capitalism, the election goes to those who have financial resources. Money gives the ability to control the flow of information, provide an opportunity to hire journalists who will create the right background information, to pay for the work of PR people and political strategists, to set off or even to use black PR against possible competitors.
For 8 years, Vladivostok has really changed, but the merits of the mayor and his team .In the seaside capital billion was Federal money on improvement and preparation for the 2012 APEC summit. Of the campaign promises Pushkareva realized only a small part. Many citizens are unhappy, but to say that the roads are not asphalt or clean snow can not (the question is, how quickly and how well), even constantly patching roads produce. But, for all attempts, the roads are in a terrible state: each year the asphalt is laid after some time it becomes unusable. There are places, mostly house territory, where the asphalt laid before the election Pushkarev. Patching roads do too often. After every rain we have to re-pit to plug. I think, to explain that it’s all in the quality of the materials and the quality of work should not be.
And the interesting thing is that Pushkarev was organized by the purchase of building materials MUPV “Roads of Vladivostok” the group of companies “Vostokcement in large volume. And leads and oversees Vostoktsement”brother Igor Pushkarev – Andrey Pushkarev. The co-founders of the society – Andrey and Vladimir Sergeevich Pushkarev.
Group of companies “Vostokcement” occupy a monopoly position on the markets of cement and gravel in the region. These enterprises entered in the register of business entities occupying a market share of certain goods more than 35%. “Spasskcement” this proportion is more than 65%, for “Vladivostok butadienovogo plant and Crushing and screening plant” – 65%, respectively. In other words, it is the only major company in the region that can produce relevant materials.
Given the monopoly position of the company and the existence of ties in the government (and in our case it is not just the relationship, and kinship), to the business interests of the family Pushkareva with tremendous potential. You can purchase the building materials through the municipal budget (specifically, at our expense, at the expense of our taxes) at inflated prices, de facto a private company to lay asphalt and because the asphalt tends to wear out, and in our case it is indecent wears out quickly, again and again to make purchases at our expense.
The false impression that the city is something only done by such activities to residents some inconvenience. And what about the Lord’s business? And they believe money and laugh at us that we pay them the holiday of a lifetime. There are places in town where it’s time to change the asphalt from the old asphalt is little left. But sometimes the stack where the special need was not. For example, last year, paved the dirt road detour on Forest street, and in a very short time. Why? The Forest very many cottages of wealthy citizens, though all luxury SUVs, but still on new asphalt it is much nicer to ride. This, incidentally, is not the only manifestation of whether class solidarity, or charity. In winter during snowfall snow-removing equipment in the first place see in the area Sedanka (local Rublevka). We are told that class solidarity is a throwback, and the rich know, who in the first place it is necessary to provide assistance, and the cattle can wait, it is on the cattle that could not say anything .
The problems Pushkareva started in 2012, when he left the post of the Governor of Primorye territory Sergei Darkin S. M. – a native of the local elite, instead he appointed Vladimir Miklushevsky – the protege of Moscow. He previously served as Deputy Minister of education and science of the Russian Federation. In 2012, Vladivostok hosted the APEC summit, during construction in the construction of objects of summit ATES were revealed the facts of misappropriation of funds. There were indications that theft was involved the Governor S. M. Darkin, his house and office, law enforcement officers raided, but Darkin criminal case is not filed, later he was transferred to Moscow to the post of Deputy Minister of regional development of the Russian Federation.
After the search, the Darkin hastily went to Moscow, apparently to negotiate, and considering that not only investigation in respect of him stopped, but he still received a high appointment, it can be concluded that the agreement failed. The appointment of the Governor Mikulickova was not accidental, apparently the size of the theft was so essential that the authorities in the Kremlin decided his man in the region to appoint the person who would be controlled by local elites.
With the appointment of Vladimir Miklushevsky in the region there were two groups: the Governor’s one that is controlled by the mayor by Pushkareva. Given the size of the region, sooner or later between these groups had to be contradictions. On the one hand the people who represent the interests of the big Russian bourgeoisie and on the other a young and ambitious team of representatives of local big business who have a monopoly position in the region. But the ambitions and plans of the head of the city was quite large. Talking about their plans for the future, Pushkarev back in 2006 said that eventually he would like to become a truly public man,” that is, “to prove their concern for the country, the region, not to put a separator between private goals and objectives of the state.”[2]
Attempts to limit the influence and ambitions of Pushkarev or allude were made in the period from 2013 to 2015, in particular, the investigating authorities carried out inspections of the activities of Pushkareva. The results of these investigative activities and materials the results of the preliminary investigation by investigators of the Department of insurance for the Primorsky Krai three times (15 December 2014 24 February 2015 and 15 may 2015) issued the decision about refusal in excitation of criminal case behind absence in actions Pushkareva crime. Also in relation of the city authorities carried out an inspection of the FAS, which revealed the facts of violation of Antimonopoly legislation. On the official website of the FAS placed the decision of the Commission UFAS in the Primorsky territory, which was the result lasted about a year of investigation No. 214/08—2014 brought for violation of a city administration of Vladivostok the antitrust laws.
In turn, the criminal proceedings were instituted on the basis of the materials delivered last autumn at the seaside UFAS from regional UFSB (incl. No. 66от25.09.2014). In its decision, the Commission UFAS writes:
“The totality of existing case materials confirmed that since the second half of 2008 (Pushkarev became mayor in may 2008) the city administration of Vladivostok has acted in bad faith, abusing the rights granted by the law on local self-government, the Charter of the city of Vladivostok, the Federal antitrust and civil legislation of the Russian Federation”.
Seaside the FAS came to the unequivocal conclusion: the administration of Vladivostok Igor Pushkarev), and OOO “Vostokcement” (brothers Pushkareva) are party to prohibited by the Antimonopoly legislation of the agreement, thus, quoting again, “the majority of actions for the implementation of the agreement made using the method of “circumvention of the law.”
The results of check FAS no secret to anyone was not, they were free and anyone could read them. Of course, in Moscow knew about all this. But Pushkareva has not been touched, although the charge in a criminal offence grounds had already been enough.
Pushkarev and his men responded to the audit, initiated by command of the Governor as they could. Namely, through the controlled media covered the activities of the Governor Miklushevsky in a negative light. Also at the end of January 2016 unknown captured on camera, like the Governor Miklushevsky, General Director of HC “Admiral” (known in narrow circles of political science) Ilya mit’kin and the Chairman of the Union of miners of Primorye Alexey Avershin (offensive businessman who became known in Moscow raider” during the elections to the state Duma in 2007) were “loaded” into the helicopter in the yard of the House of negotiations on Sanatorium. Judging by the gait and gestures, the Governor and his friends were not sober. The helicopter began shipping bottles of alcoholic beverages “Moet Chandon”, the cost of one bottle starts from $ 100. The video fell into the hands of journalists who highlighted and publicized this case. Was it random or purposeful fault – we can only guess. [3]
Just to be mayor, he certainly did not like. He wanted to have an impact on the level of the region. Vladivostok is a major port in the far East, a major economic center with a concentration of human, financial and production resources. The city was dripping all financial flows. Accordingly, the money the city gives to the regional budget a lot, but back from the regional budget receives not enough or not as much as I would like. To change this situation Pushkarev was going through the nomination himself and his men as candidates in the next elections to the legislative Assembly of Primorsky Krai. He wanted to be Chairman of the legislative Assembly of Primorsky Krai. May 31, Pushkarev won the primaries “United Russia” on elections in regional Parliament. Among other winners of the primaries 7-8 people are people closely associated with him, from his team.
Before the primaries of “United Russia” Pushkareva had a conflict with officials of the electoral Commission. The law “On basic guarantees of electoral rights of citizens”, obliges the local self-government bodies, state and municipal institutions and their officials to assist the commissions assist in the implementation of their powers. In particular, on a grant basis to provide the necessary premises, vehicles, communication means, technical equipment and to provide protection. In the beginning of the year, after changes in the composition of territorial election commissions of the city of Vladivostok, it was hastily terminated the contracts on the premises, which houses the Commission. Instead the city authorities, they were asked to stay in a dilapidated basement with no communications. Pushkarev against the territorial electoral commissions after the election in Spassk-far, where he tried in the local city Council to hold their people. About this election a lot of media wrote in Primorsky Krai. Elections were held with the colossal violations. Krayizbirkom was forced to intervene, the election results were cancelled.About the flagrant violations of the electoral legislation and interference in activities of election commissions became known Ella Pamfilova, Chairman of the Central election Commission of the Russian Federation. After the arrest Pushkareva Ella Pamfilova in interview “to Interfax” has told about the conflict and gave a negative assessment of the mayor. It’s one thing when you’re acting like a little princeling on its territory, and another thing, when you intervene in a field of activity of the Federal authorities. The result of all this confrontation, we all know Pushkarev arrested and is under investigation. Undoubtedly, the arrest of the head of such a large city without the consent of the Kremlin it would be impossible to validate. Apparently, the Kremlin decided that the head of the city in its aspirations far, and that his actions directly interfere with the plans of the Governor.
Well Pushkarev arrested, “hurray-Patriotic” the public rejoices, the media propaganda tell us about the extent of corruption and that the authorities strongly will continue to deal with it(well, of course nobody confuses that Pushkarev – member of “United Russia”), law enforcement agencies warn about the investigation. In General, everyone is happy, the government faked the fight against corruption, Everyman got his dose of “landing” – so all is not hopeless in our state, have the power of “patriot”, he just get in the way and for all see he can’t.
Well, what is most interesting: the confrontation is not over, it just went to the pages and screens of media, and we must not forget that an arrest does not mean that the fault of the person is proved, must be a judicial process and verdict. Considering how fiercely Pushkarev-controlled media began a campaign to whitewash him – it is possible to conclude that all is not lost. In addition, there is a good example of the former mayor of Nikolaev Vladimir, who after criminal prosecution, the court acquitted. Now he is engaged in business, earns money, and even say that considering returning to politics.
As you might guess, Federal and regional media, which are controlled by the regional administration, Pushkareva exposed the thief and the main corrupt, and the local city media spoke of the achievements that have been achieved by Pushkarev. Vladimir Miklushevsky also contributed, commenting on the arrest :
“This is a matter for the investigating authorities. However, I want to reiterate, when I came to work for Governor in 2012, first said about the decriminalization of the region. This work continues and will continue regardless of titles. This is an important systemic measure, which is waiting for all residents of the country.” [4]
Here are our reality, even after the arrest of the person may conduct the political struggle. And this is not surprising, because after the arrest of financial ability did not disappear, did not disappear, politicians, journalists and civil servants, who associate their well-being with the personality of the mayor, and is still a large army of hangers-on. Local TV channel 8 came out many of the stories, how the city changed what was built, even the objects of summit ATES attributed to his achievements. Periodically on the streets among the citizens interviewed, saying, “how do you assess the activities of the mayor?”. Of course, themes TV got only positive or neutral evaluation. No word on bad roads, not a word about the lack of Parking, and indeed we have the best city – thank you to Mr. Pushkarev. And given ridiculous arguments like ” he’s still doing something over there the Park was opened, a kindergarten, etc.”.
Yes, the square and the kindergarten is good, just one thing, to build roads and squares – the duty of the mayor, and not his right, and the presence of parks does not give the right to steal from the budget, roughly speaking, from our pocket, our taxes. Considering how much money government officials steal, the sin is something not to build people – to throw a bone. According to their logic, we still need to say thank you.
Propuskanija media have moved on to outright lies, in an article under the loud name “the head of Vladivostok Igor Pushkarev supports all Russia” [5] journalists have posted comments under the petition “Freedom for the mayor Igor Pushkarev!”( Yes, there is such a petition). In the comments that people from different cities of Russia wrote about the outstanding qualities Pushkareva as mayor. But that’s not quite clear how people living in other cities, it is understood. Not without a picket of citizens that support Pushkarev. On the picket was not more than a hundred people with a rather expensive banners with the image of the mayor and posters, especially liked the one with the inscription “We are for Putin! We Pushkareva!”. The vast majority of the inhabitants of the city reacted doubtfully to the rally, everybody was joking, saying that the picket was driven employees Spassk cement” and the city administration.
Earlier I was talking about the hangers-on, and so, they fully proved themselves. You may ask, what are these hangers? These persons – representatives of the social groups that always, in every political realities of trying to grab a piece and get the service of the ruling class. It is the priests, intellectuals and Cossacks. To achieve the loyalty of these groups can not simply, the fact that they so enthusiastically began to defend the head of the city – part of one of the richest men in the land – evidence of their interest. Below are the most striking comments of the defenders of the arrested mayor.
The Bishop of the Ussuri, vicar of the Vladivostok diocese Innokenty (Yerokhin) gave the following assessment activities of the mayor:
“In recent years, city hall has developed a good relationship, he said. Not everything was resolved, there were moments when denied. But in most cases there was a positive effect. All these actions were strictly limited to the legal framework. Support and social movement in the parishes, and it is helping the homeless and people undergoing rehabilitation after treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction… as for those colleagues, partners and friends who suddenly betrayed him, it is a clear indication of their morality, their inner self. While you’re at altitude, you will praise, to please you. But as soon as I come to you the trouble, these people are often occurring on the opposite side.” [6]
Commented on the arrest Pushkareva leadership of the military-Patriotic public organization “Ussuri Cossack army”:
“June 1, 2016, we all witnessed the arrest of the head of Vladivostok Igor Sergeyevich Pushkarev, – is spoken in the address. – Arrest of theatrical, demonstrative and unexplained severe… re-Enactment of this unsightly spectacle is disturbing because the person’s fate will be decided not in court, and in other important offices. Moreover, the impression that she’s already decided regardless of the evidence, both prosecution and defense. And now someone is trying to prepare public opinion in the “right” direction for people who know nothing and do not know about the life of Vladivostok and activities of its mayor”. [7]
Sergey Karepanov, social activist and former Chairman of the Board of KVN of Primorsky Krai, said:
“It seems strange, but showy game that someone started. A feeling that put a cruel experiment. And over the person who actually made the city better, more beautiful and more prestigious”.
Who is really surprised, because it is “Communist”, a member of the Communist party, and first Deputy Chairman of the Duma of Vladivostok Boris Danchin:
“What happened to him, is not in any gate, – said Boris Dmitrievich. – The city was the mayor. Now the city is actually beheaded. Whatever Pushkarev, we must bear in mind that it is primarily the head of the city. As you have seen, as it were under protection? Like bandit. It’s disgusting. As if caught the criminal on a global scale. And the man was only doing his job. It’s scary. It turns out that each can take, to arrest and prosecute, not thinking about who is going to govern how the city will develop without a head. This is bad”. [8]
Wow, the position of the Communist – hawks with capital. Although this psevdokommunisticheskie party you can expect anything.
Conclusion
Across Russia, of course, the story of the mayor of Vladivostok looks like a not very significant event. The majority of citizens, hearing the news about the arrest of the mayor, after some time, it is already forgotten and will continue to live his unremarkable life. But the history of the formation of the businessman Pushkareva as politics, the election to the post and the resulting conflict of interest with other representatives of bourgeois power can be projected to almost the whole country.
In each subject country has the heads of cities and regions, which in the 90s made incomprehensible ways your initial capital, receiving huge financial resources, went into politics. No, not in order to make people’s lives better, and to become richer, gain access to budget money.
What local bourgeoisie need more money, they have a lot of money? And because in modern Russian capitalist society, money is a springboard into power, the more money, the higher you can climb the ladder, and the higher you are, the bigger the budget the money to which you have access, the more opportunities for lobbying of business interests.
In every city and region has the same “Pushkareva” and “miklushevskiy” that represent the interests of various bourgeois groups whose sooner or later, conflicts arise. But the problem is not that such contradictions arise, they are inevitable, within the bourgeoisie, there is a strict competition for a place in the sun, some capitalists will deal with the other – this is normal, so it was, is and will be while capitalism exists. The problem is the passive stance the rest of the population. At a time when the bourgeoisie divides the “pie”, the working man at best indifferent, at worst, or thinks, one of the warring sides is right, honest, or rises on someone’s side and not defending their class interests, and the interests of the class antagonist. While we are not aware of their class interests, do not understand who we are and who they are, until then we will manage and plunder such as “Pushkareva”, “Miklushevsky” and “putinmedvedev”.
