Controversial journalist Mamontov films defense-scandal documentary

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com –  Alina Lobzina – November 14, 2012)

Controversial journalist Arkady Mamontov, best known for authoring programs accusing Kremlin-critics of being the servants of Western powers, has prepared his latest round of revelations, this time over the recent embezzlement scandal in the Defense Ministry.

The state-owned federal Rossia 1 TV station aired his investigation under the title “Corruption” during prime-time on Tuesday.

The film explored the wealth of the former defense chief’s entourage and fraudulent schemes for state purchases, RIA Novosti reported.

Former defense minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, was replaced by then-Moscow Region Governor Sergei Shoigu by President Vladimir Putin after the scandal broke, a move that saw Kremlinologists guessing about turf wars in the Russian establishment.

5-million-ruble monthly income, $10-million flat

Mamontov’s film speculated in particular over the possessions of Yevgenia Vasilyeva, Serdyukov’s university course mate and former head of Oboronservis, a Defense Ministry affiliated company where investigators found embezzlements totaling 3 billion rubles.

According to the film, the woman had a monthly income of 5 million rubles and owned a flat in downtown Moscow worth $10 million.

Investigators have searched Vasilyeva’s flat, reportedly finding bath-robe clad Serdyukov there, but no charges have been brought against her.

Mamontov’s previous works dedicated to anti-Kremlin protests saw criminal cases opened against opposition leaders.

Altogether, five criminal cases have been opened over Oboronservis operations in which three people have become suspects.

Suspicions over military official Alexander Nikitin’s involvement were voiced on the day Mamontov’s “Corruption” premiered. On the same day, Nov. 13, the Military Prosecutor’s Office said more facts pointing to fraudulent schemes carried out through Oboronservis were sent to investigators.