Alexander kochnev vim. The court sent the general director of Vim-Avia under house arrest. Rich Sabas

The Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia has completed the main investigative actions in a high-profile criminal case of fraud and abuse in the once one of major airlines country "VIM-Avia", which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. On Friday, the investigators of the State Investigative Committee filed charges in the final version of the three persons involved in the investigation. Depending on the role of each of them, the former CEO of the company Alexander Kochnev, Vice-President Alevtina Kalashnikov and accountant Ekaterina Panteleeva were charged with committing crimes under Part 2 of Art. 201, part 1 of Art. 176 and part 3 of Art. 193.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (abuse of power, which entailed grave consequences; illegal receipt of a loan and transfer of currency to non-residents of the Russian Federation using forged documents). Similar articles, but already in absentia, were charged by the investigation to the co-owner of the company Rashid Mursekaev, who left Russia even before the start of the proceedings.

Initially, the Main Investigative Directorate of the ICR accused the defendants of especially large-scale fraud committed by an organized criminal group (part 4 of article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the investigation, knowing that the airline located financially distressed and unable to pay for fuel and airfield services, they continued to sell tickets for flights that eventually failed. However, according to the lawyer of Alexander Kochnev, Mikhail Voronin, the investigators, having analyzed this episode, obviously came to the conclusion that the airline was still trying to fulfill its obligations to clients to the end. The former top managers of VIM-Avia did not admit their guilt.

"Alexander Kochnev conscientiously performed the duties of the airline's general director, so all his actions were in accordance with the law," believes lawyer Voronin. "Kochnev himself believes that if in September last year the company could pay for fuel, then its planes would still fly."

According to Voronin's lawyer, after the final charge was presented, his client refused to testify, considering it necessary to first familiarize himself with its text in detail. “In addition, we need to study a few more documents that are not in the case,” the defense attorney explained to Kommersant.

After the charge of fraud was dropped, the main article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on abuse of power, which provides for up to ten years in prison, became the main one in the case. According to the investigation, the top managers of VIM-Avia allowed it, in particular, in relation to CJSC "Commercial Agency of Domodedovo Airport", which was not paid more than 500 million rubles for ground handling of aircraft, as well as FSUE State ATM Corporation. The latter could not receive more than 200 million rubles for air navigation support of flights of VIM-Avia liners. It should be noted that Rashid Mursekaev acted as the guarantor for fuel loans at Domodedovo. A claim for 300 million rubles was personally satisfied against him, but there was actually nothing to foreclose.

The press service of Domodedovo airport reported that by the decision of the arbitration, the entire debt was recovered from VIM-Avia, but then it was fully included in the register of claims of the airline's creditors.

The lawyers of the defendants in the investigation were unable to explain exactly what episodes the charges under Art. 176 and 193.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, explaining this by the fact that they did not familiarize themselves with the documents of the investigation in detail. According to a Kommersant source, the investigation believes that hundreds of millions of rubles were withdrawn from the airline under bogus contracts... The banking episode is obviously connected with PJSC "Bank" Zenith ""(62.66% owned PJSC Tatneft), which provided VIM-Avia with a credit line for 3.6 billion rubles until December 31, 2020. The funds were allocated against the security of expensive aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and securities of various companies. In 2017, VIM-Avia stopped servicing the loan without paying interest on it in the amount of RUB 32 million. In addition, in violation of the agreement with Zenit, the airline received another loan - from Absolut Bank for 581 million rubles. By the way, Absolute is still trying to get its money back through arbitration.

In turn, Zenit ceded the right to claim the loan to OOO RNGO, which also went to court. During the inspection of the pledged property, it turned out that six out of ten aircraft engines and one auxiliary unit (estimated at almost 1 billion rubles) are absent, and the securities do not correspond very much to the value at which they were taken as a pledge. The arbitration collected 3 billion rubles from the suspicious borrower in favor of the RNGO, allowing the remaining engines to be put up for auction and the promissory notes to be sold.

It is assumed that in a couple of weeks the persons involved in the investigation can begin to familiarize themselves with its materials, after which the indictment will be sent for approval to the Prosecutor General's Office.

Interrogation took place on Friday 29 September general director VIM-Avia by Alexander Kochnev and chief accountant of the airline Ekaterina Panteleeva. After that, the investigation appealed to the Basmanny Court of Moscow with a demand to send both defendants under House arrest in the embezzlement case Money air carrier customers.

The term of the investigation in the case was extended until November 25, and both defendants were placed under house arrest until that time. At the same time, the chief accountant Panteleeva and her lawyers agreed with the preventive measure, and the former general director Kochnev asked the court to release him on recognizance not to leave. Kochnev's defense has not yet decided on the issue of appealing the court decision.

At the same time, the investigation continues to identify those involved in the theft case. Thus, the number of detainees may increase.

The investigator in the court stated that upon the fact of the theft of funds, it was established that the management of the company “with the purpose of embezzlement took the funds abroad”.

The representative of the Investigative Committee also stressed that the owners of VIM-Avia, Rashid and Svetlana Mursekaev, left the territory of Russia on the day of the initiation of the criminal case. Their location is being established.

In addition, on Friday, Alexander Burdin, who previously headed Transaero, was appointed the new CEO of VIM-Avia, and the new team began to conduct financial analysis and stabilize the company's activities.

“In order to resolve the crisis situation in the airline“ VIM-Avia ”, a new general director has been appointed - Alexander Burdin, who has significant experience as an anti-crisis manager,” RIA Novosti quotes a representative of “VIM-Avia”.

“The schedule of repayment of the existing debt for fuel and airport services is being agreed. The new management of the company cooperates with law enforcement agencies, ”the company said in a statement.

At the same time, the Federal Air Transport Agency said that the department was not informed about Burdin's appointment as the new general director of VIM-Avia.

Aircraft of the airline "VIM-Avia"
RIA News

Presidential attention

After the Russian airline VIM-Avia declared its bankruptcy, the Russian government came to the aid of passengers who cannot return to their homeland due to the cancellation of flights. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to send Tu-214 aircraft belonging to a special flight unit (SLO "Russia") of the Administrative Department of the President of Russia to Antalya for the removal of tourists.

“The special flight unit“ Russia ”, on behalf of the President of Russia, will send two Tu-214 aircraft to Antalya for the removal of passengers of the VIM-Avia airline,” said Elena Krylova, press secretary of the Presidential Administration.

The first flight to Turkey was made by the government aircraft from Vnukovo to Antalya at 13:00 Moscow time, and the second at 18:00. Thus, 320 Russians will return to Moscow.

According to the press secretary of the head of the Russian state Dmitry Peskov, Putin is constantly informed about the measures taken in connection with the situation with the VIM-Avia airline, and he keeps the situation under personal control.

“The President is constantly informed about the measures taken, but the main work is carried out through the government. Vigorous measures are being taken there, ”Peskov explained.

The day before, the Russian president took a number of steps at the ministerial level, announcing the head of the Ministry of Transport, Maxim Sokolov, about incomplete official compliance.

Airline assistance

Meanwhile, Russian and foreign air carriers promptly responded to the request of the branch headquarters to help Russian passengers who were left without return tickets due to the bankruptcy of VIM-Avia. On Friday, UTair started transporting passengers from Turkey.

Airplane UTair
RIA News

"UTair has started transporting VIM-Avia passengers at the request of operational headquarters Ministry of Transport, which is dealing with the elimination of the crisis situation.<...>Passengers with VIM-Avia tickets can take a flight on all regular UTair flights subject to availability, ”the airline’s press service said.

On Friday at 11:30 Moscow time, a Boeing 737-500 aircraft took off from Moscow's Vnukovo airport, this board will transport Russian citizens from Antalya to Samara.

The UTair press service explained that, according to Andrey Martirosov, the airline's general director, “the mechanism for reimbursing the airline’s costs has not yet been determined, but in this moment it is more important to help compatriots to return home ”.

In parallel with this, the airline " Ural Airlines"Expressed its readiness to accept VIM-Avia passengers on its flights.

From September 29, Ural Airlines began carrying passengers with VIM-Avia tickets on its own flights. Transportation is subject to availability until October 16. VIM-Avia passengers with valid tickets are allowed to board the flight if the route indicated on the ticket coincides with the route of Ural Airlines. To board a flight, VIM-Avia customers who have a valid ticket in their hands should contact the Ural Airlines offices at the airports of destination, ”the press service of the company said.

The plane of the airline "Ural Airlines"
RIA News

At the moment, there are free seats on liners flying from Simferopol to Yekaterinburg and Moscow. Ural Airlines are ready to “pick up passengers flying to Domodedovo (Moscow) and Koltsovo (Yekaterinburg) airports”.

S7 Airlines also volunteered to help by organizing additional flights from September 29 to October 10.

On a daily basis, there will be a flight on the route Moscow - Simferopol - Moscow, and from October 1 to 10 - a flight Moscow - Sochi - Moscow. The planes will be sent on the Moscow - Simferopol - Moscow route on September 30 and October 2; October 2 - Moscow - Yerevan - Moscow and Antalya - Moscow; October 3 - Antalya - Moscow and Moscow - Nizhnevartovsk.

Also on the topic

Fraud and seven billion in debt: the general director and chief accountant of VIM-Avia were detained

The general director and chief accountant of VIM-Avia were detained in a fraud case, the Investigative Committee reported ....

Sergei Izvolsky, an advisor to the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency, said that such airlines as Royal Flight and Azur Air have joined VIM-Avia. "Ural residents" are still taking people out of Barcelona, EllinAir - from Thessaloniki, Turkish Global Atlas - from Antalya to Samara, the flight is planned today (September 29. - RT) ", - he explained.

About 600 Chinese citizens affected by the suspension of the charter program of VIM-Avia will return to their homeland on the coming Saturday and Sunday, reports the Interfax-Tourism portal.

According to the Ministry of Transport, in just a day on September 28, almost 4 thousand passengers of VIM-Avia were transported. More than 2 thousand were transported by the airline itself, 1.25 thousand - by others Russian airlines, 548 passengers - by foreign air carriers. 36 flights are planned for September 29: 22 regular and 14 charter, of which 16 are domestic regular flights, six - international regular and 14 - international charters.

Bankruptcy and fraud "VIM-Avia"

The airline officially admitted on September 25 that it did not have the funds to continue working. The management announced that it will stop operating charter flights.

The total debt of VIM-Avia for services, fuel, airport and ground support of flights is about 1.3 billion rubles. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich signed a document according to which the Board of Directors of Aeroflot on September 28 was to approve the allocation of funds to the airline to finance operating and financial activities, which he could compensate through settlements with the industry.

A criminal case was initiated against VIM-Avia under Part 4 of Art. 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Fraud"). On Wednesday, September 27, the official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Svetlana Petrenko, announced that on behalf of the head of the department, Alexander Bastrykin, the case was transferred to the central office of the Investigative Committee. According to the investigation, since September 22, officials of the airline, knowing that there is not enough money to buy fuel, continued to sell tickets for flights, having received over 1 million rubles for them.

The replenishment of the airline's fleet is always a great event, the AK is the addition of passengers, the airport is more loaded, passengers have more comfort, directions, flight on a new type of aircraft (although many of them probably do not think about it), and photographers have a new object of hunting.
On February 17, just such another joyful event took place in the history of VIM-AVIA and Domodedovo airport - a new type of aircraft Airbus A330-200 was handed over in a solemn ceremony.

The event was excellent in terms of brightness and emotions. Firmly enduring the Moscow cold weather, the flight attendants of Vim-Avia took part in the photo shoot with the A330 model and with the hero of the occasion.

Guys, judging by their smiles and emotions, did not notice the cold and happily helped us, responding to our "look over there", "look here", ".. into the lens"

The event was attended by representatives of VIM-AVIA, Airbus, Domodedovo airport.
In the photo: Elena Fedorova, Public Relations Director of VIM-AVIA, General Director of VIM-AVIA Alexander Yakovlevich Kochnev and Vadim Marusov, Regional Director for Business Development in Russia and the Republic of Belarus.
Alexander Yakovlevich said that already having in the park Airbus aircraft In particular, the A319, which proved to be excellent, VIM-AVIA is pleased to receive the A330, another milestone in cooperation with Airbus and a new stage in the development of AK. In 2017, VIM-AVIA will celebrate its 15th anniversary and plan to double air fleet, this will happen mainly at the expense of wide-body. Thanks to this, it will actively develop route network AK and in the segment of long-haul routes.
And Vadim Marusov warmly greeted the new operator of the A330 and expressed confidence that VIM-AVIA, as a successful and efficient operator of the A319, will fully appreciate the benefits of unification of the Airbus aircraft families.

PIC appreciated the replenishment

Well done guys, thank them very much.

It's a pleasure to fly with such flight attendants, you will fly with them, say hello from us)
Look with what warmth they look at their newcomer, they will soon accompany him in the sky.

This is how sometimes you have to do squats for a good shot - so spotting is also fitness))

You can't tear yourself away from the guys)

Although some switched to themselves)

Oh, and Seryoga is so carried away by the A330 that he does not look back and will now be pecked in the back of his head))

And here is our handsome man in full growth, perspective and girth.

Welcome aboard

Tea, coffee, cassettes?)

But such a bright and positive safety card for the A330

And we on board did not lag behind the flight attendants)

А330-200 VIM-AVIA is presented in 252 armchair configurations, of which 24 are for businessmen, 228 for economists.

Guess the riddle - what is the name of the flight attendant?
Hussars and hussars to be silent!)

Oralo)

you get the idea - no comments)

I have a strange association - whale shark

Baaal plane

Engines and tips are, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating elements in airplanes, well, of course, wing mechanization during takeoff and landing.

"Temporary financial difficulties, which were associated with the payment of fuel, have nothing to do with the theft of funds," - said the lawyer Mikhail Voronin Business FM

General Director of VIM-Avia Alexander Kochnev. Photo: Tatiana Belyakova / TASS

Updated at 15:06

The owners of the VIM-Avia company, Rashid and Svetlana Mursekaevs, left Russia, the Investigative Committee reported. At the same time, the media write about the arrest of the general director of the company Alexander Kochnev, as well as the chief accountant of the air carrier Yekaterina Panteleeva.

Panteleeva and Kochnev the day before, on September 27, were summoned to the Investigative Committee for interrogation as witnesses and were questioned in the case. Only this morning did the investigation formalize their detention as suspects. After that, Kochnev and Panteleeva refused to testify at this stage, citing fatigue. Both plead not guilty to the fraud case and argue that there was no embezzlement.

Mikhail Voronin, partner of Yukov & Partners law firm, lawyer of the detained general director of VIM-Avia Alexander Kochnev, told Business FM about the details of this case.

What is the current status of the owner of VIM-Avia, Rashid Mursekaev, and the general director, Alexander Kochnev, are they suspects, witnesses?

Mikhail Voronin: I don’t know anything about Mursekaev, I don’t defend him, I don’t know where he is. I am defending General Director Kochnev. Kochnev is in the status of a suspect, and he is now detained for a period of 48 hours, but, apparently, tomorrow the question of a preventive measure will be decided. He is suspected of committing a crime under Part 4 of Article 159 “embezzlement on an especially large scale” ( “Large scale fraud”. - Business FM) on the grounds that the money received from the sale of air tickets was spent in some inappropriate way. That is, they were not spent on payment, in particular, for fuel. The whole problem is that the accusation has not yet been brought, not specified, so for now I am saying this on the basis of decisions to initiate a criminal case.

What is your position as a lawyer in the case? Will Alexander admit his guilt, will not, what is the position?

Mikhail Voronin: No, for Alexander it was all a complete surprise, because those temporary financial difficulties that were associated with paying for fuel were in no way connected with the theft of funds. Therefore, Kochnev is at a loss. We gave testimony last night, right up to night as a witness, told in detail why it all happened, and then in the night it became clear that he was suspected. At six o'clock the night before, Kochnev was summoned for interrogation as a witness. He was interrogated for several hours in this capacity. Then he spent the whole night in the Investigative Committee, and his official arrest was formalized only today at nine in the morning. Today we refused any interrogations, because we didn’t eat or sleep for several hours - it was simply impossible physically, so we refused to testify.

He took Article 51 of the Constitution (gives the right not to incriminate himself)?

Mikhail Voronin: Not really. He said that he wanted to testify, but not at the moment because he had not eaten or slept for several hours.

That is, they didn’t take him to the IVS to sleep at night?

Mikhail Voronin: No. Because the detention was issued only in the morning.

And how does he explain the delay in flights?

Mikhail Voronin: Temporary financial cash gap. This was a temporary financial difficulty. Late financing led to the fact that they could not pay for fuel in a certain number of days. But, in principle, the situation was initially solvable, the amount of debt that existed was not critical for the airline. But there was not enough working capital at this particular moment. In principle, the company was working, the bank was negotiating a loan. Then someone provided some of the money there. But at the moment when it was necessary, they were not there. Eventually a bank guarantee was provided and flights resumed on Saturday 23 September.

Let me touch on Mursekaev again. If, nevertheless, he disappeared, as the Investigative Committee says, this somehow aggravates the guilt of your client Kochnev and the chief accountant?

Mikhail Voronin: Firstly, I cannot comment on the information in any way, whether he disappeared or did not disappear, I do not know anything about this. It can be aggravating now, apparently, in the sense that the full force of the accusation will be thrown on the CEO and the chief accountant. About Mursekaev, I say again, I do not know anything, because we went in yesterday as at six o'clock in the evening and now, at one o'clock, I just left the Investigative Committee, so I have no information about Mursekaev or anyone else.

Ekaterina Pavlovskaya, a lawyer for the chief accountant of Ekaterina Panteleeva, told Business FM that her client shares the position of Alexander Kochnev. She said that her client had also voluntarily appeared at the Investigative Committee for questioning as a witness the day before, spent the night in a building in the UK, and this morning she was officially detained for 48 hours.

Ekaterina Pavlovskaya: They took from me a non-disclosure agreement on the data of the preliminary investigation, so I can't say much. While Panteleeva is in the status of a suspect. Further, the investigation will decide the issue of choosing a preventive measure. Either it will be a preventive measure not related to imprisonment, or the investigation will go to court with a petition for arrest.

What is the defense going to ask for for her?

Ekaterina Pavlovskaya: I, of course, will ask for either house arrest or a recognizance not to leave

The case was initiated under a rather grave article. Does she deny that any thefts took place?

Ekaterina Pavlovskaya: At the moment, yes. But formal charges have not yet been filed. I can fully confirm the position that Kochnev's lawyer voiced to you that the company applied to banks. It was not the situation of one day, September 22nd, when everything happened. Prior to that, the company made a lot of efforts to settle the debt, but there was some overlap with the bank, and therefore such a situation developed. Purely financial and economic activity with its own risks and with certain nuances of a certain type of activity.

When will the measure of restraint be chosen?

Ekaterina Pavlovskaya: It will become known only tomorrow. To date, Panteleeva has refused to testify as a suspect, but this does not mean that we will continue to refuse them. This was due to the fact that the investigative actions were carried out starting from yesterday and for a very long time - until 12 noon today.

Alexander Kochnev. Photo by Kommersant

The Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia has completed the main investigative steps in a high-profile criminal case of fraud and abuse in the once one of the country's largest airlines "VIM-Avia", which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. On Friday, the investigators of the State Investigative Committee filed charges in the final version of the three persons involved in the investigation. Depending on the role of each of them, the former CEO of the company Alexander Kochnev, Vice-President Alevtina Kalashnikov and accountant Ekaterina Panteleeva were charged with committing crimes under Part 2 of Art. 201, part 1 of Art. 176 and part 3 of Art. 193.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (abuse of power, which entailed grave consequences; illegal receipt of a loan and transfer of currency to non-residents of the Russian Federation using forged documents). Similar articles, but already in absentia, were charged by the investigation to the co-owner of the company Rashid Mursekaev, who left Russia even before the start of the proceedings.

As the agency reported Ruspres Rashid Mursekaev and his wife left the country after the first delays in payments appeared, taking a regular flight to Istanbul. Law enforcement agencies did not put obstacles to the owner of VIM-Avia. In connection with the scandal around the airline, President Vladimir Putin announced incomplete official compliance with ex-Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov. The penalty was lifted in May, when the candidacy of the resigned minister was considered for the post of head of Aeroflot instead of Vitaly Savelyeva.

Alexander kochnev vim. The court sent the general director of Vim-Avia under house arrest. Rich Sabas - the heart and liver of Russian aviation

Presidential attention

Airline assistance

Bankruptcy and fraud "VIM-Avia"