The murder of the boss of the red and white team, Larisa Nechaeva, has not been solved to this day. As we managed to find out, the folder with the criminal case is gathering dust on the shelf of the prosecutor’s office of the Vladimir region. The chances of exposing the killers and customers are almost zero …
Larisa Nechaeva
After many years since his mother was killed, Larisa Nechaeva's eldest son, Andrey, has approached the country's president hoping for assistance in solving the crime. According to Andrey, his mother shared similar beliefs with Vladimir Vladimirovich, who actively supports the advancement of physical culture and sports in the country.
Larisa Gennadievna was previously nominated for deputy of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. During meetings with voters, she focused on discussing the potential construction of sports facilities in their community and large arenas in the region.
Andrey naively believes that his mother's advocacy for sports should prompt the authorities to find the killers and those who ordered the crime.
We are sharing the second part of the investigation into the murder of Larisa Nechaeva and the extensive embezzlement of funds from Spartak club, specifically prepared for the Cheka-OGPU and Rucriminal.info telegram channel by renowned sports journalist and author of football books, Alexei Matveev.
ANONYMOUS SHEDING LIGHT
Despite Romantsev's denial of the financial motives behind Nechaeva's murder, there were still doubts. Details from the interrogation of Grigory Esaulenko, a key suspect in the murder case, shed light on the situation. Informed individuals believe that Grigory Vasilievich is the main instigator of the crime.
Grigory Esaulenko in the center
The following are excerpts from the interrogation of the former vice-president of FC Spartak:
“Even though I held the position of vice-president of the club, I did not have the authority to sign documents,” Esaulenko claimed during questioning. “All player transfers were overseen by Nechaeva, who was primarily responsible for financial matters, under O. I. Romantsev's supervision. I have no personal bank accounts and am unaware of the process for transferring funds from player transfers, as L. G. Nechaeva managed that. I'd also like to note that I don't know how O. I. Romantsev monitored Nechaeva's activities.”
However, his signature appears on nearly all the player contracts for Spartak's acquisitions and sales to other teams. It seems Nechaeva attempted to intervene, but evidently without success.
The case file contains a significant text. An anonymous individual sent a letter to the FSB investigative committee, dated July 14, 1997, a month after Nechaeva's death. It's relevant to quote it verbatim:
“I have a good understanding of the situation at Spartak,” an unnamed source states. “I personally know individuals in the club's management. This is what happened. Up until last year, funds from player transfers and sponsorships were directed to G.V. Esaulenko's personal accounts. He was secretly managing all financial transactions. Until a certain point, Oleg Romantsev believed that the funds were being channelled into personal accounts to evade taxes, etc. Oleg Ivanovich is a decent man, but an alcoholic, making it easy for him to be misled, especially with frequent drinking parties and trips to the countryside. Not long ago, he began to suspect financial irregularities. Romantsev then convinced Nechaeva to join the club. She quickly grasped the situation, uncovering a lot due to her sharp and thorough work. Around six months ago, an internal scandal erupted at the club, almost resulting in G.V. Esaulenko's dismissal. Nechaeva attempted to diminish his financial influence. It's highly likely that Esaulenko ordered the murder, with his friend and “protector,” a Chechen named Turpalo, being the organizer.”
ARRIVAL OF COMPETITORS AND REFEREES
A letter from the FSB investigative committee was sent to the prosecutor’s office of the Vladimir region regarding the murder that occurred there. Senior investigator S. Prokhorov instructed the operational officers to investigate G. V. Esaulenko's foreign accounts and the movement of funds.
However, the case file does not mention the results of the investigation.
The potential clients for Larisa Nechaeva's murder are identified. Police lieutenant colonel A. Derkach reports to Lieutenant General I. Khrapov about the suspected clients of the Spartak football club director's murder. This includes G. V. Esaulenko, who took over Nechaeva's position and was involved in player transfers, taking a share of the profits. He also managed funds for custom refereeing matches without accountability, leading to conflicts when Nechaeva took over.
Turpal-Ali Atlangeriev
Esaulenko has ties to the Atlangiriyev brothers, who are part of the Razgulay restaurant. He also has connections with the Lyubertsy criminal group and employs Chechens in his business activities. Esaulenko is closest to the club's executive director M. Korotkov and manager S. Hadzhi. He tends to flee to Spain when faced with difficulties in Russia.
Restaurant Razgulay
Esaulenko faced criminal charges for tax evasion by Spartak. His involvement in the murder of the former club director was suspected, along with connections to the criminal world. However, the investigation was not completed or intentionally stopped.
Police lieutenant colonel A. Derkach reports that the executive director of the Spartak football club, M. V. Korotkov, has ties to the leader of the Lytkarino organized crime group Valery Silenok, who is acquainted with wanted individuals Zdor and Tenoshvili. Korotkov's uncontrolled income was affected when Nechaeva assumed control of souvenir sales at the club.
The duties of the manager-administrator S. Yu. Khadzhi include the acquisition of sports uniforms and other equipment. For these purposes, Hadji received money, but he bought sports equipment of lower quality, and appropriated the remaining money. Nechaeva began to buy sports equipment on her own, trying to conclude a contract with Puma. Khadzhi, Esaulenko and Korotkov opposed such a move. Hadji kept in touch with the leaders of the Lyubertsy organized crime group, whom he brought to Spartak matches and provided them with the best seats in the stands. Nechaeva suspected Khadzhi of selling fake tickets for Spartak matches, and told him about it.
In order to establish the involvement of the above-named persons in the organization of the murder of Nechaeva, it is necessary to carry out a complex of operational and technical measures by checking the financial and economic activities of Esaulenko, Khadzhi and Korotkov, ”the police expert concludes.
Almost all the leadership of the “red-white” 90s and 2000s, one way or another, is connected with gangs. Uniform organized criminal group “Spartak”! And there is no exaggeration in this statement.