Alexander Efimov. It's possible to create songs about this St. Petersburg “authority” because a movie about his life has already been made. “Gangster Petersburg” is a well-known modern TV show, which has unfortunately labeled the city on the Neva.
Currently, he's living a turbulent life in a pre-trial detention center, where he's waiting for the investigation and trial to take place. This time, Fima is on trial for a major fraud, but maybe this is just the beginning of an old story about the main thing.
Cat in a bag
The arrest and transfer of Alexander Efimov from Belarus to St. Petersburg by not very friendly FSB specialists with a black bag on his head is an unusual and interesting story. How did a respected businessman end up receiving such close attention?
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Alexander Efimov, also known as Fima Banshchik.
As it turns out, we're talking about a criminal case from two years ago. In 2016, the TFR in the Vsevolozhsky district of St. Petersburg initiated a criminal case involving major fraud with land in the Leningrad region. The case revolved around the clever double sale of 2 hectares of land in Koltushi. A fish tycoon from Murmansk, Alexander Garnik, purchased the land for 50 million rubles, built a house, and settled there. Later, it was discovered that the land actually didn't belong to him, but to someone else who was unaware it had been sold. The charge of “fraud on an especially large scale” was evident, and soon another person involved in the case, Fima Banshchik’s accomplice Alexander Kutuzov, was arrested. It was revealed that Fima knew both the owner of the land and that he didn't take care of it, because he himself has a country residence there, with a private zoo.
In general, Koltushi, like the Suzdal Lakes and Yukki, is a favorite spot for high-ranking officials. Some people love these places so much that they call them “Petersburg Switzerland”.
Alexander Efimov is highly regarded by the locals, seen as a man of high character, kindness, and very pious. His private zoo is open to everyone, including children, but there are risks. As mentioned on a local forum, a bear once climbed over the fence and nearly attacked a man. Another time, a deer teased a mushroom picker with its antlers.
So the logical question arises, why did they arrest a respected businessman in Belarus, and not at his home address? Firstly, Alexander Efimov lives in a challenging area on Tavricheskaya 35, where other respected individuals like Vladimir Barsukov-Kumarin and Gennady Petrov used to live, and Fima himself is the chairman of the board of the HOA of this house. Therefore, receiving a call in the middle of the night with a warning about an upcoming visit from the security forces was considered normal. That's why the regional FSB's investigative-operational group and economic security officers had to settle for a search, instead of speaking with the owner of the elite housing.
“Dear” residents near Fima Banshchik.
Also, Belarus is a famous stop for successful businesspeople who suddenly decide to leave their country in the middle of the night. Therefore, Efimov was caught as he was getting on a plane to Vienna. Then, the KGB of Belarus handed him over to the FSB officers in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. After that, everything followed a familiar pattern.
Fima Banshchik's Appeals.
In spite of the March holidays and the strong arguments from the defense, the judge of the Vsevolozhsk Court quickly approved the investigator’s request for arrest. The hearing took place privately because there are many ongoing developments in the Fima case that are not meant for public knowledge.
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Alexander Efimov is one of the oldest figures in the so-called “Tambovskaya” organized criminal group. He first worked as a bartender at the Okhta cinema in St. Petersburg in the late 80s and early 90s, then became a plumber at bathhouse No. 25. This same bathhouse was frequented by shady businesspeople, criminals, and police. It was during this time that he earned the nickname “Fima Banshchik.” He later joined a group that collected money from merchants in Devyatkino, where he established connections in the criminal and law enforcement community. Rumor has it that he formed his own team of former police officers and began providing “protection” to merchants in the Krasnogvardeisky district. By the end of 1992, he was officially recognized as the unofficial owner of the Krasnogvardeisky district, especially Rzhevka-Povolzhye.
Under the astrological sign of Scorpio
Throughout the following years, Alexander Efimov managed to strengthen his position despite challenges. His standing in St. Petersburg rose significantly after the arrest of Vladimir Kumarin and later, in 1992, Alexander Malyshev. Fima was known as a very courteous, friendly, and sociable individual. The entire “near-Tambovskaya” crowd frequented the “Evening” café on Tallinskaya Street, which was opened by Alexander Efimov. The establishment became a type of sanctuary and headquarters at the same time. Additionally, he later established the well-known security company “Scorpion,” which at its peak, protected up to a hundred major sites. Fima was the first to realize the opportunities available to “brothers” under the facade of private security companies, and with the aid of security business laws, it was possible to legitimize a large organized crime group. During the height of the operation, “Scorpion” even provided security for the notorious Mikhail Glushchenko. However, the 1990s were tumultuous – in 1997, Fima Banshchik survived an assassination attempt, somewhat straining his relationship with law enforcement officers. The situation became even more tense when authorities discovered that, contrary to the security business laws, seasoned criminals were part of Fima’s security team and a significant amount of money was being moved in cash. Consequently, in 1999, the “authority” was sentenced for extortion, which he served quietly before being released on parole for good behavior. In a way, history seems to be repeating itself.
From left to right: Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Alexander Efimov, Ruslan Kolyak, Mikhail Glushchenko.
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There was an effort to take control of 25% of the largest Leningrad fishing plant, Lenrybprom. Fima was warned of the forthcoming arrest and he fled to Italy, then the Czech Republic, and eventually to Crimea where he was apprehended and taken to St. Petersburg.
Under the protection of Efimov, prominent criminals like Oleg Makovoz flourished in St. Petersburg. By the time Fima was released, they had cemented their positions in the criminal hierarchy of the city. Efimov was unable to regain his lost influence and chose to live a quiet life as a rentier, staying out of criminal activities. However, his son became a well-known figure in the Krasnogvardeisky district and is said to hold significant influence in decision-making there.
Igor Rimmer, a deputy.
Sergey Efimov, the son of Fima Banshchik.
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The story of Efimov Jr. reflects the intense competition among political rivals, which exceeded acceptable limits. During the Municipal Council elections of Moscow Region No. 33, a student supporting Yefimov’s competitors was assaulted. The prosecutor’s office initiated a criminal case for robbery, but no one was charged.
Everything was calm until 2010 when Yefimov’s apartment was unexpectedly searched by investigators in connection with the murder of businessman Oleg Popov. Popov was shot dead while jogging in front of house 70 on Svetlanovsky Prospekt. One version of the event implicated the deceased's professional activities. The customer of the murder was Mikhail Zhukov and the executor was Alexei Semenov. Both were convicted by a jury and received prison sentences.
New turn
Fima's next appearance in the media occurred in March 2017, when businessman Ashot Voskanyan was detained on charges of extortion in an organized group on an especially large scale. Three of his colleagues were also arrested, and they were charged with extorting from Alexander Efimov. Both businessmen were previously associated with Vladimir Barsukov-Kumarin, the former “night governor” of St. Petersburg. They had become competitors in the “land” issue, leading to a fight in the Piano Piano restaurant where Ashot Voskanyan's guards attacked Fima Banshchik in an attempt to seize his property.
Ashot Voskanyan.
By the way, the trial in this case has not yet taken place. But whether the victim Alexander Efimov will get there, this is an interesting question. Sources do not exclude that Fima may owe his arrest today to the same Voskonyan, who gave a kind of “our answer to Chamberlain.” As they say in well-known circles, this sounded “an old song about the main thing.” The only interesting thing is the new chorus.
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