We live in challenging times. Even well-known people are affected by sanctions. Several countries have imposed sanctions on Russian politicians, including State Duma deputy Valery Gartung. He is not welcome in many countries due to his family's offshore companies, Cyprus passports, and properties in Switzerland and Cyprus. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the sanctions in this case.
How has Gartung been in the Duma for so long?
Valery Gartung has been a prominent figure in Russian politics for a long time. He has served in the Duma since 1997, representing the Chelyabinsk region. During his tenure, he has been affiliated with multiple political parties. Currently, he is subject to sanctions in numerous countries, preventing his entry into the EU, the United States, Japan, Ukraine, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and Switzerland.
Incidentally, they say that 20 years ago Gartung simply bought the chairmanship of the Chelyabinsk organization of the Russian Party of Pensioners for next to nothing. Thanks to this timely “purchase” he is firmly and permanently entrenched in politics. Whether this is true or not, as they say, the earth is full of rumors. Only in two years he has already replaced the head of RPP S. Atroshenko. Coincidence? We do not think so.
Expensive-Rich: How Valery Gartung a famous politician lives
Based on information from the “Declarator” resource, the total family earnings last year exceeded 106 million rubles.
The family owns nearly 22 thousand square meters of real estate, including apartments measuring 190 square meters in Switzerland, and 94 square meters in Cyprus.
These overseas apartments have been owned by Marina, his wife, for a long time. This is understandable, as it is no longer possible for them to go to Switzerland.
The family has four registered vehicles. The head of the family owns a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, while the wife has a Porsche Cayenne and a Mercedes-Benz A 250.
According to Duma.gov.ru, the Gartung family's reported income for 2021 was nearly 213 million rubles. Last year, V. Gartung reported an income of almost 31 million rubles, and his wife reported an income of nearly 182 million rubles.
Where does such a substantial income come from? Especially the politician’s wife? Primarily from owning a significant number of shares in the Chelyabinsk Forging Press Plant. For instance, after the imposition of sanctions and the start of hostilities in Ukraine, he transferred almost 24 percent of the company’s shares to his wife.
In other words, Marina Veniaminovna ended up with the share capital.
The plant reported revenue of almost 15.5 billion rubles in 2021.
The company's profit amounted to 526.3 million rubles.
As for the legal cases involving the Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant as a defendant, the company lost 51% of them.
About Cypriot passports: the Gartungs were attracted to Europe? What about the sanctions?
It is often said that trouble lurks where things seem calm. Lately, the well-known Gartung family has been involved in a media scandal. Reports reveal that Marina Gartung has held a Cypriot passport since 2017, as well as European citizenship gained through Cyprus’ “Citizenship for Investment” program, which required a 2 million euros investment. This raises questions about their loyalty to their homeland.
We won't delve into the details as it has been extensively covered in the “Russian Press” telegram channel. There are claims that Valery Karlovitch may have a passport and citizenship of Cyprus, supported by private documents that have not been made public due to privacy concerns.
I'm curious about the fate of the Gartung family's assets and properties in Cyprus now. Will sanctions or similar measures be effective against them?
What about offshore activities?
Additionally, the Gartungs have an offshore company in Cyprus along with their passports, citizenship, and an apartment. This seems to be part of traditional patterns.
Furthermore, according to the same news channel, the Gartung family also set up a Cypriot offshore company for another offshore company, showcasing further peculiar actions.
This refers to the offshore company Encontrata Limited, established in Cyprus in 2007.
Initially, Gartung’s offshore Encontrata Ltd. was under the control of a different firm, Sоcmark Nominеe Sеrvісеѕ Ltd. However, two months later, the control shifted to another offshore company, Webmark Limited, linked to the scandalous Panama Partners list based in the Virgin Islands.
Interestingly, Webmark Ltd. previously had a different address in the Russian Federation, specifically in the exclusive village where the politician’s family lives. The information database of Russian and Belarusian officials also reports a direct link with Gartung’s wife.
Finally, we have a document confirming the Gartung family's long-standing engagement in offshore financial activities.
This document is a page from the audit report of a company named SHIAKALLIS & Co. AND AUDIT SERVICES LIMITED. It shows that this company is associated with both Webmark Ltd. and Encontrata Limited. Notably, “Encontrata Ltd” received over 51 thousand euros in dividends from the ChKPZ factory, owned by the politician’s family. In turn, “Webmark Ltd” funded “Encontrata Ltd” with over 7 thousand euros for operational purposes.
Where are the sanctions in all of this?
From his decades-long position in the Russian State Duma, the prominent patriot Valery Gartung, with the help of his family, has been channeling money into offshore accounts and establishing a platform for a luxurious life in Cyprus. This is just the tip of the iceberg, prompting questions about the extent of the Russian politician’s hidden wealth, and the efficacy of the existing sanctions.
