Valery Belokon biography. Valery Belokon: “Patriotism begins with self-respect. Clients “clean” and “impure”

13.06.2011

The international criminal police organization Interpol has put three associates of the Latvian banker and businessman Valery Belokon on the wanted list. Due to possible financial fraud they are wanted by Kyrgyzstan, where an investigation into the crimes of members of the family of the country's former president Kurmanbek Bakiev has been ongoing for more than a year.

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch came to Latvia 05/16/2007

Yesterday it became known that on May 8, the international concern News Corporation, through its company News Corp Europe, acquired the television company LNT and 70% of the shares of the television company TV5 (TV Roga), which has long been rumored. 30 percent of the shares are still owned by banker Valery Belokon and businessman Mikhail Sheitelman. The transaction amount is not disclosed.

Latvian businessman included in the list of the richest people in British football 12/11/2006

Co-owner of English football club Blackpool, Latvian entrepreneur Valeri Belokon took an honorable 20th place among the richest owners of football clubs in Great Britain. The first place on this list for a year in a row is given to the Governor of Chukotka Roman Abramovich, but his unshakable leadership may be shaken by the Saudi sheikh.

Colors of fortune for Blackpool 09.10.2006

Yesterday, the English football club Blackpool, co-owned by businessman Valery Belokon, took to the field in an away game against Brighton for the first time in history wearing the colors of the Latvian flag - maroon with white stripes (Blackpool's traditional color is tangerine). The “Latvian” form brought good luck to the team: it won a second victory in a row - 3:0.

Geology, football and real estate 09/08/2006

In June, the company Maval Aktīvi was registered in Latvia, equally owned by the famous Latvian businessman Valery Belokon and Kyrgyz businessman Maxim Bakiev - youngest son President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Maval Aktīvi will play the role of a holding and investment company - it is planned to transfer numerous joint business projects of Belokon and Bakiev from foreign jurisdictions. Also, through Maval Aktīvi, businessmen are going to invest in real estate in Latvia, Russia and Bulgaria, modernize the Latvian Kimmels brewery and implement other joint business projects in Europe and Asia.

Valery Belokon removed questions about Blackpool 08/11/2006

What could our country have in common with the resort town of Blackpool in the very west of England? The answer to this question was given by the famous Latvian businessman Valery Belokon, who became a co-owner and president of the Blackpool football club. And the first who were able to evaluate this answer were his friends, businessmen, journalists and Main coach Latvian national team Yuri Andreev, whom he recently invited to the opening match of the season in Blackpool.

Blackpool met Latvia 07/20/2006

Back in June, President and Director English club Latvian businessman Valeri Belokon officially became the second division Blackpool, who plans to invest 4.6 million lats in the development of this club in the next three years. And this week Blackpool held a short-term training camp in Riga

Latvian businessman - president of Blackpool 06/20/2006

The head of Belokon Holdings, Valery Belokon, became the president of the English football club Blackpool, purchasing an additional issue of its shares. For the first time in Latvian history, a Latvian citizen will own and manage a foreign sports team

Latvia has opened public access to the files of KGB agents of the Latvian SSR and some other documents of the Soviet intelligence service. Azattyk writes about this.

Among the agents was the name of Valery Belokon. As Svoboda.org writes, we are talking about a banker and owner of the British football club Blackpool. He is known in Kyrgyzstan as an associate of Maxim Bakiyev, the son of the former president, and as the head of Manas Bank, which was named as one of five banks involved in money laundering.

History of Belokon in Kyrgyzstan

Valery Belokon in 2007, during the reign of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Kyrgyzstan, transformed Insan Bank into Manas Bank. After the April 2010 events, the interim government transferred the bank to the state balance sheet and introduced external management.

In 2011, Belokon filed a complaint against Kyrgyzstan to the International arbitration court claim - “in connection with the expropriation of the credit institution Manas Bank owned by him.” On October 24, 2014, the international court ordered

In January 2015, Kyrgyzstan appealed to the Paris Court of Appeal, indicating that the bank was involved in laundering criminal proceeds. On February 21, 2017, the court overturned the decision in favor of Belokon. The court also recovered 300 thousand euros of legal costs from Belokon in favor of Kyrgyzstan.

The appeal court ruling said that Belokon acquired Manas Bank to launder money and that because of his “privileged” relationship with the president’s son, Maxim Bakiyev, illegal transactions at the bank went undetected. Over 2 years and 8 months, the total turnover of operations at Manas Bank amounted to $5.2 billion. "The success of [Manas Bank] in such short term in a developing country cannot be explained by normal banking practices,” the document noted.

In May 2017, the Pervomaisky District Court sentenced Valery Belokon in absentia to 20 years in prison with confiscation of property on charges of money laundering. In the same case, Maxim Bakiev was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The Latvian businessman said that the court verdict was politically motivated, and Manas Bank did not violate the laws. In his latest correspondence with The Guardian, he said the Kyrgyz government had made "baseless allegations" against him and fabricated evidence using misinterpretations, manipulation and "outright falsification of documents."

Valery Belokon has received the first £10 million of more than £33 million (€37.56 million) that he is owed in a High Court ruling on 6 November.

Last week, the High Court in London rejected the request of the Oyston family (Karl and Owen Oyston) to reduce the amount of the first payment to 2.5 million pounds or to extend the court's 28-day period from the announcement of the verdict to the first payment. The Oystons told the court they needed 12 months to pay the full amount. Mr Belokon's lawyers believe that all of the more than £33 million must be paid within 6 months. The judge agreed with Mr. Belokon's opinion. Pointing out that 12 months is too long. It is planned that before Christmas the court will establish a further payment schedule for the remaining more than 23 million pounds.

A little more than two years passed from Mr. Belokon’s appeal to the High Court of London against the Oyston family to the receipt of the first payment.

As previously reported, on November 6, the High Court of London ruled that the Oystons (Owen Oyston, Karl Oyston) must buy back shares of the football club owned by Baltic International Bank shareholder Belokon for 31.2 million pounds (35.09 million euros) for violating the rights of minority shareholders .

In addition, the Oystons must pay Belokon legal costs, which amounts to another £2 million.

Thus, Valery Belokon managed not only to resolve the protracted conflict between the club’s shareholders, but also to return the cost of 10 years of investment.

This is another victory for Belokon in the international trial. In February this year, a Manchester court upheld the Belokonya company's claim against the co-owners of the Blackpool football club, the Oyston family, for an unpaid share of profits amounting to about £1 million. In turn, in 2014, the International Court of Arbitration in Paris ruled that the Kyrgyz Republic was obliged to pay Belokon $16.5 million for the illegally expropriated Manas Bank.

Legal proceedings for violation of the rights of minority shareholders were initiated by VB Football Assets, owned by Latvian entrepreneur Valeri Belokon, against the co-owners of the Blackpool Football Club - Karl and Owen Oyston and their companies.

Mr Belokon's claim was brought because, since the promotion of Blackpool Football Club (BFC) to the Premier League in 2010, the Oystons have transferred tens of millions of pounds of BFC funds to other Oyston-owned companies through unsecured, interest-free loans and paid Owen Oyston £11 million in salary for acting as director. These actions were carried out by the Oystons without the knowledge of V. Belokon, and without involving him in decision-making. Belokon was also not paid part of the profits due to him. As a result of the above actions, the rights of minority shareholders were violated.

At the same time, the Oystons did not invest enough money in football team, despite the fact that the so-called "parachute payments" for the BFC's exit from the Premier League have exceeded £100 million over the years. As a result, the team dropped from the level of the Premier League to the level of the third strongest football league in a few years.

In 2006, having joined BFC, Baltic International Bank shareholder V. Belokon invested in the development of the team. Initially, Belokon's investment gave the club real money. Then, an investment agreement with Segesta Limited guaranteed the necessary improvements to the stadium's infrastructure and the construction of new stands for the convenience of fans. And finally, V. Belokon created a fund to attract and pay highly qualified coaches and players. These investments by V. Belokon and his active, targeted participation in the development of the club allowed BFC to enter the Premier League in a few years.

The businessman and son of the former President of Kyrgyzstan was found guilty in absentia of organizing a crime and leading a criminal community (Part 4 of Article 30 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan), corruption in the interests of a criminal community (Part 2 of Article 303 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic), aiding and abetting a crime (Part 6 of Article 30 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic) and laundering of criminal proceeds by a criminal group (part 3 of article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic).

Valery Belokon was convicted in absentia under the same articles and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 20 years, to be served in a maximum security colony. It also talks about confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to engage in activities in the banking sector for a period of three years.

[Interfax, 05/16/2017, “The son of ex-president of Kyrgyzstan Bakiev was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment”: Maxim Bakiev is in international wanted list and on this moment lives in London. Belokon also left the country after the revolution in 2010. The Manas Bank, which belonged to him, was nationalized. - Insert K.ru]

The ex-chairman of the National Bank, Marat Alapaev, was found guilty of the same crimes and was given a similar punishment with the only difference in term: he would have to serve 25 years in a maximum security colony.

Others involved in the case - Evgeniy Verbitsky, Anita Lase, Sergei Kostyrin, Yuri Kachnov and Cholpon Imanalieva - were found guilty of complicity in the commission of an intentional crime (Part 1 of Article 30 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic), laundering of criminal proceeds by a criminal group (Part 3 of Article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic ). [...]

The preventive measure remained the same - detention in absentia.

The arrest imposed on all real estate of Manas Bank CJSC by the resolution of the head of the investigative group of the investigative department of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes dated February 24, 2017 was also left unchanged.

The arrest imposed on all bank accounts opened in Manas Bank CJSC by legal entities and individuals by the resolution of the senior investigator of the SG Investigative Directorate of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes dated June 20, 2016 was also left unchanged.

Accomplices of Bakiyev and Belokon received from 7 to 25 years in prison

Yana Bayburina

On May 12, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek passed a verdict against Maxim Bakiev, Valery Belokon, Evgeniy Verbitsky, Anita Lase, Sergei Kostyrin, Yuri Kachnov, Marat Alapaev, Cholpon Imanalieva.

All of them were prosecuted for corruption and money laundering in companies in Kyrgyzstan.

Thus, the judicial panel of the Pervomaisky District Court ruled:

Maxim Kurmanbekovich Bakiev was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 4 of Article 30 and Part 2 of Article 303; part 6 of article 30 and part 3 of article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

According to Part 4 of Art. 30 and part 2 art. 303 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic - in the form of imprisonment for a period of 17 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to engage in activities in the banking sector for a period of three years;

According to Part 6 of Art. 30 and part 3 of Art. 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic - in the form of imprisonment for a period of 9 years with confiscation of property.

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed penalties, Bakiyev Maxim Kurmanbekovich is finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to engage in activities in the banking sector for a period of three years.

Based on Article 60 of the same code, partially add to the imposed punishment the punishment according to the verdict of the Pervomaisky District Court dated September 21, 2016 and finally determine Maxim Kurmanbekovich Bakiev a sentence of life imprisonment with a fine in the amount of fifty minimum monthly wages (5 thousand soms) with confiscation property and deprivation of the right to hold public office for a period of three years, with the sentence being served in a special regime colony.

Valery Valerievich Belokon was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 4 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 4 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 4 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 4 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; part 3 of article 30 and part 2 of article 303 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed sentences, Valery Valerievich Belokon is finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to engage in activities in the banking sector for a period of three years, serving the sentence in a maximum security colony.

Evgeniy Ivanovich Verbitsky was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed sentences, Evgeniy Ivanovich Verbitsky was finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years with confiscation of property and serving the sentence in a maximum security colony.

Lase Anita Yurievna was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; part 1 of article 30 and part 3 of article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed punishments, Lasa Anita Yuryevna is finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years with confiscation of property and serving the sentence in a maximum security colony.

Sergei Aleksandrovich Kostyrin was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed sentences, Sergei Aleksandrovich Kostyrin is finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years with confiscation of property and serving the sentence in a maximum security colony.

Yury Aleksandrovich Kachnov was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183; Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed sentences, Yuri Aleksandrovich Kachnov is finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years with confiscation of property and serving the sentence in a maximum security colony.

Alapaev Marat Ormonbekovich was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 6 of Article 30 and Part 2 of Article 303; part 6 of article 30 and part 3 of article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and impose punishment on them:

Based on Article 59 of the same code, by partial addition of the imposed penalties, Marat Ormonbekovich Alapaev is finally sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 19 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to hold public office for a period of three years.

Based on Article 60 of the same code, partially add to the imposed punishment the punishment imposed by the verdict of the Oktyabrsky District Court of October 20, 2015 and finally determine Marat Ormonbekovich Alapaev a sentence of imprisonment for a term of 25 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to hold public office for a period of 25 years. three years with a sentence served in a maximum security colony.

Imanalieva Cholpon Nasyrbekovna was found guilty of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 183 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and sentenced her to imprisonment for a period of 7 years with confiscation of property, serving the sentence in a high-security colony.

The court also decided to seize real estate owned privately by Manas Bank CJSC:

Cash funds in the amount of 109 million 611 thousand 840 soms located on the settlement accounts of the Agency for Bank Reorganization and Debt Restructuring shall be converted into income of the Kyrgyz Republic;

The non-residential premises, privately owned by Manas Bank CJSC, located on Logvinenko Street, should be converted into state income.

Let us remind you that Valery Belokon became known in Kyrgyzstan as one of the partners of the ex-president’s son Kurmanbek Bakiyev - Maxim Bakiev. Belokon has been the founder and owner of Manas Bank since 2007. After the overthrow of Bakiyev, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic introduced a temporary management regime in Manas Bank and four other banks in connection with the commission of large-scale suspicious transactions in such banks. Subsequently, Manas Bank CJSC went bankrupt.

On October 31, the government of the Kyrgyz Republic sends out the decision of the Paris International Arbitration on the trial with the Latvian businessman Valery Belokon around Manas Bank. Kyrgyzstan is obliged to pay more than $15 million, and not $16.5 million, as previously reported. Belokon, in turn, is obliged to transfer 100 percent of the bank's shares to the Kyrgyz authorities.

Later, the investigation into the criminal case against Belokon and Bakiev was completed, all materials were transferred to the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek.