One for the collection of legal absurdities. A few months ago, I filed a complaint with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes regarding Transneft’s strange charitable giving. I asked them to check whether this secret charity on such a scale (more than $500,000,000 over two years) might be a cover for embezzlement. Some time later, I was summoned to the police station to give a statement. I gave it. Investigator Samotaev—a decent-looking young guy—was indignant that there was theft and lawlessness everywhere. I even thought that, of course, they would bury the case, but before that Investigator Samotaev would at least give those devils from Transneft a good rattling. And then yesterday I received this document:
So, to sum up: "During the inquiry, for the purpose of confirming or refuting Navalny’s claims": **- Navalny was invited to give a statement (he appeared); Transneft’s executives were invited to give statements (they did not appear); the rejection of Navalny’s arbitration appeal was reviewed (it has nothing to do with this case; that was a suit seeking disclosure of information, not a suit about the legality or illegality of the charitable activity); a request was sent to Transneft (no response); a request was sent to the tax authorities (no response).** On the basis of questioning Navalny and Transneft’s NON-RESPONSES and FAILURE TO APPEAR, Investigator Samotaev concludes that there are no grounds for opening a case. Well, yeah, quite the fine investigator. Congratulations to Transneft’s representatives—their “work” with law enforcement is clearly arranged exactly as it should be. What is especially telling is that the ruling was issued at the end of September, but they only sent it now. The postal stamp shows that the mail did its job normally, but the police were just a little late. By a month and a half. We will, of course, appeal this comical ruling—and, while we’re at it, add everyone to the little black notebook.