"Wolves in uniform": Crime syndicate said to subjugate police, courts in Russia's Krasnodar

A persistent organised crime group (OCG) is reportedly operating in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, effectively privatising the region’s law enforcement and judicial systems.

According to the Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, the group is led by two individuals: Armen Harutyunyan and Vladimir Kislyak. These so-called “wolves in uniform” are said to have subordinated the security apparatus and the courts, turning state institutions into tools for personal enrichment and raiding.

“Harutyunyan is the organiser of the OCG and oversees the security apparatus. He serves as the first deputy head of the Criminal Investigation Department of Krasnodar Krai. He has completely subordinated the regional criminal investigation department by removing leadership and placing loyal people in key positions," the channel says.

It adds that Harutyunyan "has created a system for controlling commissioned criminal cases, leveraging connections in investigative bodies. Initiation and termination of commissioned cases reportedly occur exclusively through his corrupt channels."

"The criminal investigation department has been turned into a tool for intimidation, raiding, extortion, and pressure. The security block under his control has become a factory producing commissioned criminal cases, generating billions in shadow profits," the statement reads.

The Telegram message also says that "Kislyak oversees the courts on behalf of Momontov. 

"He [Kislyak] is a key figure in Krasnodar’s judicial mafia and is appointed as the “overseer” of the courts by his fellow countryman and patron, the Chairman of the Council of Judges of the Russian Federation, Momontov. Kislyak acts as the main “resolver” in Krasnodar Krai courts and provides services in the Supreme Court of Russia through his patron," the message notes.

The channel adds that Kislyak is also the custodian of the corruption assets of Momontov and former Krasnodar Court Chairman Shipilov, including assets abroad.

By Khagan Isayev