The 90s spared no one, including journalists. In sports reporting, they encountered a unique situation – facing opposition while covering events in arenas and stadiums.
Our colleague faced backlash for his critical publications, not only from officials but also from the mafia. The only things sharper than his articles were their knives and razors.
Otari Kvantrishvili's grave
We are releasing the second part of the investigation. This is about the assault, with details provided by sports journalist Alexei Matveev, for the telegram channel of Cheka-OGPU and Rucriminal.info.
BLOOD RIVER
At Savelovskaya metro station, I heard loud footsteps behind me. I turned around to see boys running towards me. They appeared to be afraid of missing the chance to get back at the journalist. Despite the crowded surroundings, they did not attack in front of numerous witnesses.
– Excuse me, are you Matveev? the strangers politely asked.
It was difficult to think after a sleepless night. My reaction was slow. I walked with the thought of getting to the gym quickly, playing the game, and waking up completely.
– We need to talk to you, let's step aside, – my new acquaintances said in my ear.
Why did I get involved with them?! One could attribute much to my sleepy state, but I should have thought more. Ultimately, it was my own fault, as one could say, I 'slept through' the attack on myself.
We crossed a narrow road and continued to the opposite side. It all happened underneath the bridge. People hurried to work nearby, providing a clear view of what followed.
Blows rained down on my head, a blade flashed, and soon my face was covered in blood. The attackers quickly ran away, leaving only their heels visible. I tried to fight back, but couldn't fully overcome the attackers.
After the attack and cuts, I returned to the busy sidewalk. People shied away in horror, thinking I was part of a gang confrontation.
Meanwhile, blood trickled from my cheeks, chin, and arms. A handkerchief couldn't stop the flow, merely grasping at straws.
I rushed back to the subway infirmary, only to find it closed. I ran upstairs – needing to stop the bleeding to avoid excessive loss of blood.
I found the much-needed first-aid post near the Savelovsky railway station. The nurse managed to stop the seemingly endless flow of blood.
The police officer at the station, swearing, drove me in his UAZ to the Botkin hospital, the closest one to the scene of the attack.He was angry and swearing because such cases are not rare in his area. He was tired of carrying such "passengers." When he found out that I was not a criminal, but a journalist, he changed his anger to mercy.
“A COMPLEX ISSUE”
An hour and a half later, I was transferred from Botkinskaya to a specialized clinic called after Semashko, to the surgeon Sergei Merkulov. Later I learned that Sergey Yakovlevich is one of the top three facial surgeons in Moscow.
I had to spend a couple of weeks in a hospital bed, as is the cycle of treatment and recovery. Sergei Yakovlevich never let go of me.
Journalists from newspapers, TV, and radio came to the clinic in large numbers. Suddenly, he became a 'star.' Even though, even before the incident, he was a very prominent reporter who informed readers about criminal events in the world of big-time sports, including in his favorite football.
Representatives of law enforcement agencies also visited. I was assured that the investigation of the criminal case was taken under personal control by the then Interior Minister Viktor Yerin.
In his statement to the head of the regional department for combating org. Crime identified three possible masterminds of the attack. President of the Social Protection Fund Otari Kvantrishvili, head of the Russian Football Union Vyacheslav Koloskov, and head of the Russian Association of Football Referees, the notorious Eduard Shklovsky.
While I was in the hospital, I heard the promises of the security forces: they allegedly had already found the hall where the scoundrels who cut me were training. The point is small: do not frighten them, detain them. Just a song! Time passed, and the result remained zero.
Tired of the delays of the brave law enforcement officers, he started his own investigation. Anyway, I tried to find out at least something. In addition to what has already been said.
After enduring the hardship, numerous calls to the authorities, and meetings with the security forces, he burst into an angry, ironic publication in Rossiyskaya Gazeta. It was published in the summer of that year. Here are excerpts from it:
“… I can only guess how the investigation is going,” informed his readers, “Investigator Alexander Nanka "appeared" only a week and a half ago. He called me at home, found out the address of the Semashko clinic, where my face was “sewn up”.
I am sitting in the office of investigator A. Nanka. I know that the address of the clinic was not interested in vain. It turns out that a forensic examination is necessary. Four months later! I also find out that criminal case No. 013714 dated March 2 under article 108, part 1 (intentional grievous bodily harm) – the term of imprisonment for it is up to eight years – was originally conducted by another specialist, Viktor Leonov.
He prepared a resolution “on the suspension of the case” (dated May 2). Base? “In connection with the failure to identify the person subject to criminal liability.” On the day of my visit to the Savelovskoye police department, I was lucky. The “guru” of the local detective Viktor Leonov entered the room where I was talking with Alexander Nanka. I asked him what difficulties arose during the proceedings.
“You see, I am a specialist in so-called obvious cases, and your case is too non-obvious,” said the investigator.
From what was said, I understood: “an obvious case” is when a bandit sneers at the victim and waits for him to be covered at the crime scene. Then you can shine with instant disclosure.
True, the Savelovsky inter-district prosecutor, counselor of justice E. Zalegin did not agree with the conclusions of the “specialist” Leonov. He stated: “This decision is subject to cancellation, since not a single investigative action has been carried out in the case.” And he appointed a specific date for the detectives: June 20. Looking ahead: they still didn’t do anything, in fact, signing in impotence. ”
A difficult relationship with Otari Kvantrishvili ended as follows. On April 5, 1994, the killer mortally wounded Otari Vitalyevich with several shots at the exit from the capital’s Krasnopresnensky baths, where the “authority” liked to spend his free time. The next morning, the Georgian “master of social protection” was supposed to fly to Rome for the World Freestyle Wrestling Championship.
I didn’t rejoice. And, to be honest, I didn’t grieve over his sudden death…
