Yevgeny Prigozhin, the rebellious chief of the infamous Wagner Group, walked away unscathed from his armed mutiny on June 24.
The aftermath of the failed rebellion in opposition to navy leaders stays murky, with nobody held accountable for the deaths of the troopers concerned.
Efforts are underway to depict Prigozhin, the founding father of the personal navy contractor, as motivated by greed.
There are solely faint indications of an investigation into whether or not he mismanaged billions of {dollars} in state funds.
Surprisingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin just lately revealed that the state paid Wagner almost $1 billion in a single 12 months, contradicting earlier denials of any connection between the Kremlin and the corporate.
Private mercenary teams are technically unlawful in Russia. Putin publicly contemplated whether or not any funds had been embezzled.
The scenario surrounding Prigozhin, who stays untouched regardless of being labeled a traitor by Putin, highlights the gradual erosion of Russia’s authorized system, as famous by Nikita Yuferev, a member of the St. Petersburg municipal council.
After Putin hinted at a possible probe into monetary irregularities involving Prigozhin’s firms, state TV jumped on the bandwagon.
Commentator Dmitry Kiselyov revealed that each Wagner and one other Prigozhin-owned firm raked in over 1.7 trillion rubles ($18.7 billion) by way of authorities contracts.
These earnings allegedly spanned the years 2014 to 2023, a interval throughout which each Prigozhin and Russian officers denied any ties to Wagner.
The revelations surrounding Prigozhin’s alleged wealth goal to tarnish his picture as an anti-establishment determine.
Russian media, together with well-liked state TV channel Russia 1, showcased searches performed in Prigozhin’s St. Petersburg places of work and an expensive mansion, full with a helipad and indoor swimming pool.
The media additionally introduced a van crammed with money, in addition to gold bars, wigs and weapons discovered on the property.
The leaked info highlights Prigozhin’s youngsters accumulating substantial wealth by way of their father, contradicting his self-proclaimed anti-elite stance.
These developments elevate questions on how the federal government managed to fund Wagner, provided that mercenary actions, together with funding and coaching personal troops, are unlawful.
Putin had constantly denied any hyperlink between the state and Prigozhin’s mercenaries.
However, Wagner’s involvement in conflicts in Syria, African nations and Eastern Ukraine, in addition to its participation within the 2022 invasion, uncovered a unique actuality.
The legality of state funding for Wagner stays a topic of silence from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, though it’s speculated that funds had been funneled by way of shell firms or these disguised as authorities contracts.
There is uncertainty concerning Prigozhin’s future plans and whether or not he’ll search refuge in Belarus, Russia’s closest ally, beneath a cope with the Kremlin to finish the riot. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin was in Russia, however the Kremlin declined to remark.
The destiny of these chargeable for the deaths of Russian troops through the mutiny additionally stays unsure.
Approximately 15 navy personnel misplaced their lives through the riot, as Prigozhin’s fighters seized a navy headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and proceeded in the direction of Moscow, capturing down navy helicopters and different plane.
A deal struck with Prigozhin resulted within the dropping of costs in opposition to him and his fighters for his or her function within the riot.
However, this contradicted Putin’s preliminary vow to punish these concerned. The settlement, which noticed Prigozhin agreeing to finish the mutiny and go to Belarus, has raised considerations.
Nikita Yuferev, the St. Petersburg municipal council member, has formally questioned the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Federal Security Service (FSB) about who shall be held accountable for the riot.
He goals to attract consideration to the erosion of Russia’s authorized system, though he doesn’t anticipate a considerable response.
It stays unclear whether or not extra costs shall be filed in opposition to Prigozhin.
Lawyer Ivan Pavlov means that given the armed riot and ensuing deaths, different costs could apply, however for now, there’s silence on the matter.
Furthermore, the FSB’s failure to forestall the rebellion, regardless of its claims of averting main crimes, stays a subject of official silence.
Experts level out the passive stance taken by the FSB’s Rostov division and navy counter-intelligence operatives assigned to Wagner.
The mutiny has challenged earlier assumptions concerning the reliability of Putin’s safety forces.
The lack of adverse repercussions for the FSB, nevertheless, signifies the favoritism it enjoys in Putin’s eyes.
When questioned concerning the FSB’s failure to intervene, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to remark, merely asserting that they carried out their duties adequately.
He additionally highlighted Putin’s current reward for troopers, legislation enforcement, and safety officers, expressing gratitude to them.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
