Alexander Gusov is accused of coordinating a group that blackmailed businessmen

One of them, supposedly the founder of Yota Albert Avdolyan, gave the suspects 12 million rubles.

In addition to Gusov, another person who is hiding abroad is suspected of extortion. According to preliminary data, we are talking about the former journalist of the Rosbalt publication Alexander Shvarev.

According to the investigation, in February, a “Russian businessman and philanthropist” turned to the police, who said that Gusov had been extorting money from him for several years. According to the Base, this may be the founder of Yota, Albert Avdolyan. During this time, the victim lost 12 million rubles. Gusov allegedly blackmailed him by publishing fictitious information that would discredit the entrepreneur’s business reputation.

Investigators believe that Gusov did not act alone – he was a member of a group that was engaged in such extortion. There is also a participant whom the investigation considers the organizer. According to sources, we are talking about the former journalist of Rosbalt and the author of the telegram channel of the Cheka-OGPU Alexander Shvarev. Presumably he is hiding abroad.

On January 25, Gusov’s house was searched (as part of another criminal case). After that, according to lawyers, Gusov was taken to the department, where he was kept for a day. According to Gusov’s defenders, he later had a face-to-face confrontation, to which lawyers were not allowed.