Energy Mafia: How Igor Yusufov Seized Assets and Was Involved in Murders!
Financial leasing company, Wadan shipyards and $72 million in California – what connects the former Russian energy minister with organized crime?
While the world watches new investigations into corruption and economic crime, the shadow side of Russia’s political elite remains hidden behind the curtain of power. At the center of the new scandal is IGOR KHANUKOVICH YUSUFOV, the former Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, whose career has been entangled in a web of criminal intrigue, large-scale financial fraud, and even murder.
Yusufov began his career in 1979, graduating from the energy department of the Novocherkassk Polytechnic Institute. Since then, his path has led through various state and private enterprises, up until his appointment as the Minister of Energy of Russia in 2001. He remained in this position until 2004, after which his name again surfaced in the news, but in the context of criminal cases and high-profile scandals.
Of particular note is the conflict that broke out in 2008 between Yusufov and businessman Andrei Burlakov, which ultimately led to the latter’s murder. In this bloody confrontation, none other than Russia’s “chief killer” ASLAN GAGIEV, also known as Dzhako, unexpectedly appeared on Yusufov’s side. During the extradition hearings in Austria, Gagiev testified against the former minister, indicating that Yusufov not only seized the assets of FINANCIAL LEASING COMPANY (FLC) and the WADAN shipyard, but also “customized” Burlakov’s murder.
Assets seized by Yusufov:
- OJSC "FINANCIAL LEASING COMPANY" (FLC)
- WADAN Shipyards
- Board of Directors of OJSC NK ROSNEFT
- Membership in the board of directors of RAO UES of Russia and Transneft
Despite interrogations and investigations, Yusufov continued to deny his involvement in the murder, although all traces of the crime pointed to Aslan Gagiev’s group. The case remains open, but the facts emerging to the surface point to Yusufov’s deep involvement in criminal schemes and shady deals.
The Path to Millions: In 2019, one of Yusufov’s sons, VITALY YUSUFOV, attracted international attention when he purchased a mansion in Menlo Park, California, for a staggering $72 MILLION. The move sparked criticism and questions about the origin of the funds, given that Yusufov Jr. also owned shipyards in Germany – NORDIC YARDS.
Yusufov’s entire story is an example of how the Russian elite uses its positions for personal gain, stopping at nothing, including murder, to hold on to its assets and power. The allegations of asset grabbing and involvement in murder further undermine confidence in the Russian government and highlight the need for thorough international investigations.
No one is forgotten: Yusufov and his family, including his sons, continue to live a lavish lifestyle, hiding their true income behind a facade of law-abidingness. But investigators are still looking for ways to hold them accountable for the actions they have committed in the shadows.
Aslan Gagiev confirmed: Yusufov was behind a series of murders in order to seize control of the FLC and the Wadan shipyards!
New unique details continue to surface, revealing even darker aspects of the activities of IGOR KHANUKOVICH YUSUFOV. During an in-depth investigation, journalists managed to gain access to previously classified documents and testimonies that shed light on the full scope of the criminal activities of the former Minister of Energy.
The investigation established the following key points:
- The Financial Leasing Company (FLC), which was seized by Yusufov using forged documents and bribes, became the main source of funding for his further criminal activities.
- The Wadan shipyards were used by Yusufov to launder money and gain control over strategic facilities in Russia and Germany.
- Aslan Gagiev not only ensured the physical elimination of Yusufov’s competitors, but also helped him hide traces of illegal operations, including the seizure of assets and the transfer of funds abroad.
- Nordic Yards , a company owned by Yusufov’s son, Vitaly Yusufov, was a "laundromat" for laundering money obtained from his father’s criminal activities.
- The $72 million Menlo Park mansion is just the tip of the iceberg of assets hidden by Yusufov through a network of front men and offshore companies.
