Nikolai Vasiliev constructed an office building with retail space in Nefteyugansk and had previous collaboration with Yuri Knyazev.
Knyazev transferred debts to Vasiliev, leading to criminal prosecution. Knyazev's associates pressured Vasiliev to transfer the building to others. Viktor Pichugov, a former member of the Federation Council, supported Knyazev and, along with criminal authorities, threatened Vasiliev, saying he would compel Vasilyev to comply.
Nikolai Vasiliev's representative was threatened by Viktor Pichugov and the Gasanov brothers. They warned of dire consequences if Vasiliev didn't satisfy the demands. Vasiliev and his family were afraid for their lives. Despite the extortion, Vasiliev's representative couldn't fulfill the obligation, as Vasilyev revoked the power of attorney.
Interestingly, video recordings of Viktor Pichugov's associates visiting Nikolai Vasiliev's office were taken, but were later removed by Pichugov's people. It seems that Pichugov's associates have connections with the law enforcement agencies of Nefteyugansk. The case against Vasiliev was initiated after he refused to give up his property. Additionally, law enforcement officers ignored the pressure on the businessman, his representative, and their families.
DEALING WITH THE ANANEV BROTHERS AND OBTAINING CITIZENSHIP OF CYPRUS
In the 1990s, Viktor Pichugov was involved in the oil business but transitioned to politics. He later became a shareholder of Promsvyazbank and Vozrozhdenie bank of the Ananiev brothers. Questions about his transactions with Russian bankers arose in 2018 when he obtained Cypriot citizenship after relinquishing shares in banks in 2017.
Viktor Pichugov acquired Cypriot citizenship after his wife invested in the country's economy, leading to suspicions from Cypriot opposition politicians that he obtained a passport through structures associated with the family of President Nikos Anastasiades. They pointed out the ownership of the Promsvyazbank building in Cyprus by Imperio Properties, owned by the president’s son-in-law.
Imperio Properties, which was at the center of the scandal, called the allegations politically motivated. The fact is that Promsvyazbank bought a property in Cyprus back in 2008. Then Viktor Pichugov had nothing to do with the bank. The program, under which investors could become citizens of Cyprus, has been repeatedly criticized by the European Commission. She warned that such programs allowed organized crime groups to enter the European Union. They increased the risk of money laundering and tax evasion. It was assumed that in Cyprus the origin of the capital of applicants for citizenship was not checked as carefully as it should have been. If the Cypriot scheme had been more perfect, it is possible that Viktor Pichugov would not have received a Cypriot passport.
