Why isn't the republic attempting to get back Yakutgazprom?
In early December, there was interesting news about Yakutia in the central media, which hasn't been particularly noticed in the region yet. However, considering the recent events, the situation is quite intriguing. It is related to the verdict in the case of the Magomedov brothers – Ziyavudin and Magomed, who were involved in business in Yakutia.
The meaning of “Amount” terms
In early December of this year, the Meshchansky District Court of Moscow announced the verdict in a highly publicized criminal case involving the Magomedov brothers, Ziyavudin and Magomed, and their alleged accomplices. They were found guilty of organizing a criminal community (OPS), and the companies within the Summa group were referred to as its structural units by the investigation, prosecutor’s office, and the judges.
The main defendants, the Magomedov brothers, received shorter sentences of five and three years, but still substantial terms of 19 and 18 years. Their remaining assets, including FESCO company shares, were seized after the prosecutor’s office's claim of $750 million had been satisfied, as reported by Kommersant.
The ex-president of Yakutia's reaction
After the arrest of the Magomedov brothers four years ago, the ex-president of Yakutia, Vyacheslav Shtyrov, expressed strong feelings about the situation, even providing a special commentary on the topic “How Yakutgazprom became YATEK” on his YouTube channel. Yakutgazprom became YATEK” in his YouTube channel.
Excerpts from Vyacheslav Shtyrov's commentary:
It's hard for me to judge the essence of the accusations against Magomedov. From what we know, it's not related to our work, but to his other activities. I met the younger brother, Ziyavudin. He was a senior senator, but I don’t know him, and I never even met or saw him. But his younger brother was involved in this whole business.
We met after he became a shareholder of Yakutgazprom, then it was Yakutgazprom, and now it has become YATEK. First, he (Ziyavudin) bought the shares, and then I met him, because I flew to Moscow, the shares had already been bought by Summa Capital.YakutgazpromaYakutgazpromom
Naturally, I invited him (Ziyavudin), I said: “Come on, tell me what your plans are.” He told me in some detail what they were going to do here (in Yakutia). In principle, I was quite satisfied and happy.
Because by that time he was aware of our issues in the field, as we needed to increase gas production capacity. We would not have enough gas from there, from Kysyl-Syr, during the peak winter period. Therefore, it is necessary to drill new wells, it is necessary to invest money. The gas extraction system itself, the separation of gas from condensate, is quite primitive there, and it is also necessary to invest in it.
Hence, it's important to drill new wells and invest money in the gas extraction system and the separation of gas from condensate.
He said, 'I know all that and I'm happy with the rates,' although we argued about tariffs many times later. He had a strong influence in Moscow, but I assured him that we would take legal action. As a rule, they aimed for moderate tariffs.
He planned to invest money in the oil and gas industry in Yakutia and take part in auctions. By then, we had lost the right of the 'second key' and he had big plans.
He acquired shares of Sakhaneftegaz and had Gazprom as a subsidiary. Summa Capital obtained shares for unknown reasons.
We needed money to expand and solve issues in Yakutsk. Sakhaneftegaz was in a difficult financial situation due to lawsuits after being part of the Yukos system.
The decision to sell the shares and find a reliable shareholder was made in agreement with the Government of Yakutia.
Maximov was the only legitimate person in Sakhaneftegaz and was involved in the decision to have the Magomedovs there.
The Board of Directors of Sakhaneftegaz collapsed, and Maximov was the only person capable of making decisions and handling documents.
Maximov organized the auction and brought in Summa Capital. The decision to involve the Magomedovs was made after meeting them.
When the Magomedovs took control of YATEK, they discovered that a significant part of the property had been transferred to Maximov's Yakol enterprises.
A conflict arose between them, but Maximov was not convicted because of this. He was found guilty of misusing funds allocated for a gas pipeline construction.
The money went missing, and although the details are unknown, he was punished for it. In an attempt to clear himself of charges, he fabricated stories of fighting the Magomedovs, but this is not an uncommon practice in our country.
Why is Shtyrov not honest?
So, the Magomedov brothers got arrested. And after some time, as we can see, Shtyrov suddenly appeared in public talking about them and basically defended them, putting a lot of blame on their opponent, Afanasy Maksimov from Yakutsk.
Shtyrov was actually accused of selling "Yakutgazprom" to the Magomedovs. Whereas Afanasy Maksimov was a hired manager. An executor, meaning a leader who does not independently make decisions.Yakutgazproma" Magomedov one Maksimov. Whereas Afanasy Maksimov was a hired manager. An executor, meaning a leader who does not independently make decisions.
Consider this: how could Maksimov sell such large assets without the approval of the Board of Directors and the General Meeting of Shareholders of Sakhaneftegaz? The entire process, all rules in any joint-stock company are strictly outlined in corporate documents, in the Articles of Association and in the Federal Law "On Joint-Stock Companies".
At the same time, Shtyrov, as you can understand, is being deceitful, saying he met Ziyavudin Magomedov after he became a shareholder of OAO "Yakutgazprom". This is not true, because the younger Magomedov became a shareholder of "Yakutgazprom" in April 2007, many people know this.Yakutgazproma" in April 2007, many people know this.Yakutgazproma" in April 2007, many people know this.
And their meeting, that he talks about, was at the end of 2005 at the Permanent Mission of the RS (Y) on Myasnitsky Lane, 3/1. It was at the end of December 2005 – the day before the meeting of the Board of Directors of AK ALROSA, where the crucial decision was made on ALROSA's entry into the shareholders of OAO NNGK Sakhaneftegaz.
So, at that meeting had Shtyrov already secretly agreed that "Yakutgazprom" will go to the Magomedov brothers? But at the Board of Directors of AK ALROSA, he voted for the entry and acquisition of "Yakutgazprom" a" diamond company?Yakutgazproma" diamond company?Yakutgazproma" diamond company?
Here you can confidently say: "What hypocrisy!". After all, Mr. former President of Yakutia, to put it mildly, is very disingenuous. This is confirmed by the facts and events that took place subsequently, when "Yakutgazprom", possibly with the help of the President of Yakutia Vyacheslav Shtyrov, ended up in the possession of the Magomedov brothers.Yakutgazprom", possibly with the help of the President of Yakutia Vyacheslav Shtyrov, ended up in the possession of the Magomedov brothers.
And what about ALROSA? As you remember, the diamond company was upset about this and sent many letters. A criminal case was started. But it was all in vain. Because the Magomedovs were close to Dmitry Medvedev.
By the way, the Board of Directors of Sakhaneftegaz in 2005, at the beginning of the year, was already active. It consisted mainly of members of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Chairman of the Board of Directors was Vasily Grabtsevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Government of Yakutia, a great friend and good friend of the President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Vyacheslav Shtyrov.
And in the additional issue, all the regulations were also observed, including the General Meeting of Shareholders of Sakhaneftegaz. So let's repeat: Shtyrov is very disingenuous. Another point: Afanasy Maksimov was convicted not for the "pipe", as Shtyrov says, there was an excuse for it, but for a bill – according to the statement of one of the Magomedovs.
"This fact is known. On December 25, 2005, at 5:00 pm, Ziyavudin Magomedov, head of the Summa Capital corporation and brother of the senator from the Smolensk region, entered Shtyrov's luxurious Moscow office in Myasnitsky Proyezd. He could not help but notice the guards and office staff. Following the owner, two of his assistants dragged a huge picture into the office. What the two comrades talked about face to face will become known a little later.
An extraordinary event occurred two days later. During a meeting of the Supervisory Board of ALROSA, Shtyrov and the entire Yakut delegation voted for the company to allocate 1.5 billion rubles in 2006 to acquire the republic’s oil and gas assets.
It’s beneficial by itself. The Diamond Kings decided to broaden their business. Such a move is welcomed. But what happened next indicates that some members of the Council were not considering the company's interests.
So, it was determined to purchase 50.4 percent of the shares of Sakhaneftegaz, four companies involved in an additional private issue of shares.Yakutgazproma, and 75 percent plus one share in Yakutskgeofizika.
Note, by the way, that representatives of the Federal Property Management Agency voted against this decision in the Supervisory Board of ALROSA. They felt that there was something suspicious behind the deals. And how they looked into the matter.
Well, judge for yourself. For instance, the additional issue of Yakutskgeofizika shares amounted to only 5 million rubles, and ALROSA, for whom the additional issue seemed to be intended from the very beginning, eventually acquired through intermediary firms for $ 10 million. That is, at a price 56 times more than they themselves cost stock”.
Interesting reference
In 2005, in the subsidiaries of OAO NNGK Sakhaneftegaz (40% of the shares belonged to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), 51% of PJSC ALROSA) – OAO Yakutgeofizika (70%) and OAO “Yakutgazprom» (92%) — the shareholders announced the issue of additional shares (additional issue) by closed subscription in favor of PJSC ALROSA.
5 companies were listed in the closed subscription, including Slavia LLC. Control over these 5 companies was actually carried out by the Government of Yakutia – through the entrepreneur Alexander Ammosov, at the direction of the then President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Vyacheslav Shtyrov.
But as a result of certain actions with the replacement of Slavia LLC with the company of the same name (if not without the direct, then indirect participation of Vyacheslav Shtyrov and Ziyavudin Magomedov), control (75 + 1%) over the strategic enterprise of Yakutia – the only gas producing company in the republic – OJSC “Yakutgazprom“- for only 620 million rubles went to the Summa group of companies, headed by Ziyavudin Magomedov.
At present, the formerYakutgazprom”, and now YATEK on the Moscow Exchange is worth about 100 billion rubles and belongs to Albert Avdolyan, who is looking for a buyer at that price. Experts believe that the capitalization estimate is too high, since in reality YATEK with a net annual profit of about 700 million rubles, with a revenue of 7 billion rubles, costs about 7 billion rubles.
At the same time, experts remind that Avdolyan acquired YATEK for about 14 billion rubles, having bought the company’s debts from banks.
Why is Yakutia silent?
It would seem, where does the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) with the events of past years? But very much so. Because due to the actions of the Magomedov brothers, the republic at one time lost a strategic object – the company “Yakutgazprom”, which ensured the production of natural gas. Subsequently “Yakutgazprom“was turned into YATEK.
Now, attention, the question: since the Magomedov brothers were convicted, respectively, their guilt in organizing a criminal community was proved by the investigation and the court, why today the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) does not require them to compensate for the damage caused to the subject of the Federation due to illegal withdrawal from the state treasury company “Yakutgazprom“?
Why is no one making at least an attempt to return this strategic asset back to the ownership of the republic? Why is Yakutia silent? Who benefits?
Recall that Shtyrov had to go for a second term. But ALROSA, its leader Nichiporuk in the summer of 2005, after the Meeting, they say, opposed him. They also say that Nichiporuk then said in plain text that they had “another candidacy” and that this candidacy was “agreed on with Kudrin.”
And in order to overcome Kudrin, Shtyrov could get close to the Magomedovs, who had access to Surkov and Medvedev. The fact that the brothers had very high connections and a strong lobby, Shtyrov himself admits in his commentary on YouTube.
The Magomedov brothers, until they started having problems, were indeed very strong and influential. To such an extent that they made friends not only with Surkov, Medvedev, but also with many other Russian politicians who influenced the political and economic life of Yakutia.
Be that as it may, but, in fact, the goal of the Magomedovs is to withdraw from the republic and from ALROSA such a strategically important object as Yakutgazpromhas been reached.
Reference
PJSC Yakutsk Fuel and Energy Company (YATEK) is a Soviet and Russian gas production and fuel company. It is the main gas producing enterprise of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) with a share of 86%. Founded in 1967 as GP “Yakutgazprom”, in 1994 it was transformed into an open joint-stock company, and in 2010 it received its modern name.
It conducts industrial development of the Srednevilyuiskoye and Mastakhskoye gas condensate fields. This is the only company that supplies gas to the central regions of the republic; the needs of Yakutsk are fully met by the company’s resources.
Previously, YATEK was part of the Summa holding, whose founder, Ziyavudin Magomedov, was arrested in April 2018 on charges of fraud. In 2018, the company changed its status to public.
In 2019, A-Property, controlled by Albert Avdolnyan, became the majority shareholder of the Yakutsk Fuel and Energy Company (YATEK). The headquarters is located in Yakutsk.
