Record 12 Billion Rubles in CASH Seized from Arrested FSB Officer

Being a colonel in Russia's FSB probably pays well, but not that well!
Corruption is Everywhere - Definitely in Russian Police Services

FILE PHOTO. ©  Global Look Press / Silas Stein

Some 12 billion rubles ($185 million) in cash has been reportedly seized from an FSB colonel facing charges of large scale corruption – overshadowing the notorious case of Colonel Zakharchenko and his record of 8.5 billion rubles.

The piles of cash – literally – were discovered at three apartments belonging to FSB Colonel Kirill Cherkalin and, allegedly, to his allies, Russian media reported on Friday, citing sources close to the investigation. Aside from cash, a whole collection of luxury wristwatches and other treasures were seized as well.

The funds were allegedly provided to the official and two of his accomplices by various banks and other businesses for “protection.”

“We believe these funds have been received for a general ‘patronage’ from representatives of several commercial firms, first of all from directors of banks,” a source told Rosbalt.

On Thursday, Colonel Cherkalin, who has served as the head of the FSB department on cyber security in the banking sphere, was charged with receiving a hefty bribe of $850 thousand (some 55 million rubles) from a commercial firm. Cherkalin and his two accomplices – both of them are retired FSB Colonels – were arrested earlier this year and remain in custody by court ruling.

Col. Cherkalin resisted arrest and wound up with a broken arm.

If confirmed, the sum of 12 billion rubles will mark the largest-ever amount of cash, seized from a corrupt official in Russia. Prior to this, the dubious ‘record’ was held by police colonel, Dmitry Zakharchenko.

While holding a senior anti-corruption post, Zakharchenko managed to amass a whopping 8.5 billion rubles (some $ 131.5 million) in cash, allegedly extorting bribes from various businessmen. The hearings on the Zakharchenko case continue, earlier this week a prosecutor asked the court to sentence the former law enforcer to 15 and a half years behind bars.

Russian Anti-Corruption Boss Alleged to have €300mn in Swiss Banks, $120mn Cash at his Flat

One oligarch down, just a few thousand to go

If the anti-corruption boss can graft €400mn,

how much can a corrupt boss graft?

Acting head of the T Department of the Central Anti-Corruption Board (Guebipk) of the Russian Interior Ministry Dmitry Zakharchenko suspected of bribery at the Moscow Presnenksky Court where the investigators' motion on his arrest is examined. © Eugene Odinokov / Sputnik

About €300 million ($336 million) was found in Swiss bank accounts of the father of Russia’s anti-corruption agency head, media reports. The news comes days after police arrested Dmitry Zakharchenko and found over $122 million in cash at his Moscow home.

Law enforcement agencies found documents about the accounts of offshore firms registered in the name of Zakharchenko’s father Viktor, according to a source speaking to Rosbalt news agency.

“Six bank accounts like this were found mostly at Rothschild Bank and the Dresdner Bank, with each having between €45 million and €47 million. This is more than €300 million,” the source added.

The source described the amounts on the Swiss accounts as being “colossal,” while the authorities are trying to find out where the money came from.

“It’s clear that we are not only talking about money from Nota-Bank, as it was previously perceived,” the source mentioned.

Zakharchenko’s lawyer Yury Novikov said that his client did not know anything about the Swiss bank accounts.

“We have seen the press reports that the material well-being of my client is growing, but he does not know anything about the Swiss accounts. They have not asked to conduct any searches or investigations,” Novikov told RIA Novosti news agency.

Meanwhile, the internet portal Slon said that Zakharchenko owned four properties worth $10.7 million. It was discovered that one of the apartments, which cost $1.3 million, was used exclusively to hide money that he had accumulated.

Last week police conducted a raid on Zakharchenko’s flat and found over $122 million in cash, sources told Russian media. The acting head of Russia’s anti-corruption agency was subsequently detained.

The official was taken to court and, on Saturday, accused of abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and accepting bribes, a court spokesperson told RIA Novosti. His bail was set at $1 million.

Life.ru news portal released pictures of money allegedly belonging to Zakharchenko. The investigators reportedly had to find a box big enough to squeeze in all of the cash they had found. Sources, who spoke to TASS, said that the money found belonged to NOTA-Bank.