News

Vladimir Barsukov and his accomplices charged with especially serious crimes to stand trial in Saint-Petersburg

Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has finished investigating a criminal case against Vladimir Barsukov, Vyacheslav Drokov, Alexander Merkulov and Alexander Korpushov. They are charged with crimes under part 2 of article 105 of the RF Criminal Code (murder), part 3 of article 30, part 2 of article 105 (attempted murder) and part 3 of article 222 (illegal handling of firearms).

According to investigators after a failure to seize ZAO Peterburg oil terminal (CJSC) Vladimir Barsukov and Vyacheslav Drokov set up a well-armed organized group to murder on of the factual co-owners of the terminal intending to take possession of property of the terminal. With the assistance of Merkulov, Barsukov and Drokov involved in the group 8 more people who carefully prepared the murder during six months. The members of the group bought firearms, mobile phones and cars on the money provided by Barsukov to prepare and carry out the crimes. The role of perpetrators was given to brothers Oleg and Andrey Mikhalyovs. Their actions were controlled by Korpushov who had also participated in plotting the crimes. In the afternoon of 5 May 2006, Mikhalyov brothers having got a signal from Korpushov that their victim was approaching, gunned two cars of the businessman and his bodyguards with submachines. One of the bodyguard was killed, others were injured.

Investigators have collected enough evidence and the criminal case with the approved indictment has been sent to court.

Mikhalyov brothers were convicted in 2012.