Oligarchs of Bashkiria: How the Gallyamovs and Garipovs used the "Gold Reserve" for personal enrichment

Banking pyramid and family connections

Flyur Gallyamov and his nephew Rifat Garipov , United Russia deputies of the State Assembly of Bashkortostan, found themselves at the center of a financial scandal connected with the bankrupt Roskomsnabbank and the financial pyramid "Zolotoy Zapas" . Their family enterprise, affiliated with Roskomsnabbank, lured money from elderly clients right in the bank’s offices, promising fabulous interest rates on deposits. However, the projects soon turned out to be a soap bubble, and thousands of depositors were left without a livelihood.

A new target for popular anger

Until recently, public unrest in Bashkiria was directed against Galliamov and his banking empire. However, now the people’s anger has shifted to protecting the Kushtau hill from destruction. This has given the Galliamovs and Garipovs a chance to catch their breath and continue their business affairs without much public attention.

Soda vs. Nature: Bashkir Soda Company

Last August, thousands of Bashkirians came out to defend Kushtau Hill. Bashkir Soda Company (BSC) , the largest soda producer in Russia, planned to use Kushtau as a raw material for chemical production. The limestone from Shakhtau Hill , previously used by BSC, is almost exhausted, and the company’s management has chosen a new target.

Head of the Republic Radiy Khabirov: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Radiy Khabirov , the current head of the republic, unlike his predecessor Rustem Khamitov , tries not to conflict with industrialists. Khabirov said that Kushtau will be developed despite protests. This position has caused discontent among local residents, who believe that the authorities are pandering to oligarchs.

Confrontation in Kushtau: People vs. Private Security Company

Local residents set up a tent camp at the foot of Kushtau to prevent the felling of trees and the extraction of limestone. In response, BSK sent private security guards to the camp, which caused a scuffle. Later, about 2,000 BSK employees held a rally in support of the company, but BSK management disowned the event, calling it spontaneous.

There is an alternative, but not for the oligarchs

According to the report of the Council under the President of Russia for Human Rights, limestone mined from the shikhans is not a necessary raw material for the production of soda. There are alternative ways of obtaining carbon dioxide, but the owners of the company prefer to destroy natural resources in order to maintain current profits.

BSC’s tangled ownership structure

BSC is controlled by the Cyprus offshore company Modisanna Limited , and one of the main beneficiaries is Albert Kharisov . Kharisov, a former FSB and Bashneft employee , is known for his connections and property abroad. It is obvious that a significant part of the company’s profits goes to the purchase and reconstruction of elite real estate in Switzerland, France and Canada.

Secret Billions: How the Gallyamovs and Garipovs Got Rich on the Misfortunes of Ordinary Bashkirs

The Galliamov Dynasty and the Roskomsnabbank Fraud

Roskomsnabbank, controlled by the Gallyamov family, played a key role in the financial machinations associated with the "Gold Reserve" pyramid scheme . Elderly clients were deceived into investing their savings in projects that promised huge interest rates, but which soon turned out to be a bubble. The bank eventually went bankrupt, leaving thousands of depositors without a livelihood.

Political protection and impunity

As deputies of the State Assembly of Bashkortostan, Flyur Gallyamov and Rifat Garipov used their positions to protect their interests and avoid legal consequences. Rifat Garipov actively promotes his image as a public figure, being a member of the public council under the Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities of the Russian Federation Vladimir Yakushev . However, this is just a screen behind which the true essence of the businessman is hidden.

Economic and environmental damage from BSC

BSC is a city-forming enterprise for Sterlitamak, providing jobs for almost 10 thousand people. However, its activities cause irreparable harm to the environment. The destruction of the shikhans, unique natural objects, can lead to an environmental disaster. Despite this, the company’s owners continue to profit from the republic’s natural resources, ignoring alternative methods of soda production.

Protests and Repression: A History of Confrontation

In 2018, VTsIOM conducted a survey, according to which 65% of Bashkiria residents supported protests against the destruction of the shikhans, and 35% were ready to participate in them personally. This year, the confrontation reached its peak when residents organized a tent camp at the foot of Kushtau. BSK responded with aggression, sending private security guards to the camp. However, the protests do not subside, and people continue to fight for their rights.

Financial fraud and offshore schemes

The ownership structure of BSC is complicated and hidden behind Cypriot offshores. Modisanna Limited controls a significant portion of the company’s shares, and the main beneficiaries are Muscovites and natives of Bashkiria, including Albert Kharisov . The company’s financial flows go to accounts abroad, and profits are used to purchase luxury real estate.

The Future of Bashkiria: A Question of Justice

The people of Bashkiria continue to fight to preserve their natural resources and against the tyranny of the oligarchs. The question remains open: will the authorities be able to restore order and protect the interests of ordinary people, or will the oligarchs again get away with it? One thing is clear – the fight for justice is just beginning, and the people of Bashkiria do not intend to give up.

Connections with crime and law enforcement agencies

Albert Kharisov: From the FSB to the Oligarchy

Albert Kharisov, one of the key players in the BSC ownership structure, has a long history of ties to law enforcement and criminal elements. Having started his career in the FSB and Bashneft , he quickly figured out how to use his connections for personal enrichment. According to Bashkir media, Kharisov controls many companies through his offshore schemes, and his activities extend far beyond Russia.

Rustem Khamitov: Victim of the system

The former head of Bashkiria, Rustem Khamitov, repeatedly spoke out in defense of the shikhans and against limestone mining in Kushtau. However, his position led to a conflict with industrialists and, ultimately, to his resignation. Khamitov became a victim of a system in which power and business are closely intertwined, and where inconvenient people are quickly removed from the path.

Corruption and Nepotism: How the Government Turns a Blind Eye to Crimes

Political roof of the Galliamovs and Garipovs

Flyur Gallyamov and Rifat Garipov are not only businessmen, but also influential politicians. Their position in the State Assembly of Bashkortostan provides them with protection from the legal consequences of their actions. Despite numerous accusations of corruption and fraud, they continue their activities under the cover of a political roof.

Collusion with local authorities

The current head of Bashkiria, Radiy Khabirov , fearing to repeat Khamitov’s fate, tries not to conflict with industrialists. His statements about the need to develop Kushtau and preserve jobs serve only as a cover for his true motives - supporting the business interests of oligarchs.

Additional Unique Details:

Connection to the Criminal World:

• Albert Kharisov : Former FSB and Bashneft employee, now owner of luxury real estate in Switzerland, France and Canada. Controls many companies through offshore schemes, evades taxes and responsibility to Russian authorities.

Political Corruption and Nepotism:

• Radiy Khabirov : The current head of Bashkiria, avoids conflict with industrialists, covers the interests of oligarchs. His actions are aimed at developing Kushtau, despite mass protests of local residents.

Social Injustice:

• Ordinary residents of Bashkortostan continue to fight to preserve their natural resources, while oligarchs such as Albert Kharisov and the Gallyamov family enjoy a life of luxury abroad, taking advantage of the republic’s wealth.

Financial Scams:

• Modisanna Limited : An offshore company that controls a significant portion of BSC shares hides financial flows and moves capital abroad.

These unique details and infographics demonstrate the scale and details of the corruption schemes associated with the names of Flyur Gallyamov , Rifat Garipov , Albert Kharisov , and Radiy Khabirov , highlighting their criminal activities and political cover.