Embezzlement suspicions: what is known about the criminal case against ex-president of the SBR Kravtsov

The initiation of a criminal case against the former president of the RBU Alexander Kravtsov became known on Thursday morning.

According to media reports, he is charged with Article 160 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Misappropriation or embezzlement on an especially large scale), the maximum punishment for which provides for imprisonment for up to ten years.

According to reports, the functionary is suspected that from May 2014 to July 2017 (at that time Kravtsov headed the Russian Biathlon Union), he appointed six people to the positions of analysts of the complex scientific group and one to the post of an athlete-instructor of the Russian national ski team. racing.

All of them allegedly received wages, but in fact did not work in their places.

It is noted that the amount of damage allegedly amounted to 14.45 million rubles.

At the same time, sources close to the situation reported that the accusations were allegedly largely unfounded, and some of the indicated employees nevertheless performed their duties.

It is also noted that claims against the functionary may be related to an official conflict with a colleague from the Center for Sports Training of Russian National Teams (CSP), which is headed by Kravtsov.

Later, a member of the Moscow Public Monitoring Commission (POC), Eva Merkacheva, said that Kravtsov had been detained. 

“Yes, Alexander Kravtsov was detained in a criminal case under Article 160 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation,” R-Sport quotes Merkacheva. 

However, the CSP reception office denied news of the searches and detention of the head of the organization. 

“This is false information, we are working as usual,” the receptionist answered when asked about the fate of Kravtsov.

The well-known journalist Dmitry Guberniev also commented on the possible detention of Kravtsov.

"Interesting things ... Alexander Kravtsov led the Russian biathlon for several years and gave the impression of a person who had everything and will be fine ...", - wrote Guberniev in his Telegram channel.

And another former president of the RBU and four-time Olympic champion in biathlon, Alexander Tikhonov, noted that checking the activities of a colleague lasted about a year and a half.

However, he admitted that he had not seen Kravtsov for a long time.

“I live abroad.

No matter how I come to Russia, they sit and check everything.

This check can take two or three months, but not a year and a half.

What is there to check?

If they want, they will find something at you.

Do I think he's innocent?

I don't think of anything.

I have no idea.

I do not work there, "- quotes the words of Tikhonov" RB-Sport ".

On Thursday evening, the incident was commented on by the Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin.

He promised that his department would provide assistance to the preliminary investigation authorities to reliably establish all the factual circumstances of the case.

Matytsin assured that the CSP continues to work in a regular mode, and the first deputy director Dmitry Stolyarov acts as the head.

The Minister of Sports noted that this incident will not affect the training of members of the Russian national teams in any way.

Kravtsov headed the RBU in the spring of 2014 and replaced billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in this post.

At the same time, he combined work with activities at the Center for Sports Training of Russian National Teams.

“I hope that the RBU board will be efficient.

I also hope that I can trust my deputies.

You know, as they say: “deputies” of a leader should be smarter than him, but each in his own direction.

And then the leader will only need to make strategic decisions, ”the functionary said after his appointment.

While working in the SBR, Kravtsov had to face a number of difficulties, for example, with a grandiose doping scandal.

So, in 2014, Irina Starykh was disqualified for two years for using illegal drugs.

And in 2018, almost the entire biathlon team of Russia was not allowed before the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

At the same time, the sports results of the domestic national team left much to be desired.

At the three world championships under Kravtsov, the Russians won only four medals, two of which were gold.

And in 2016, the national team was completely left without awards.

In 2018, Kravtsov lost his post to the Olympic Games winner and State Duma deputy Vladimir Drachev.

Prior to joining the SBR, the functionary from 1999 to 2003 was the head of the Rosneft sports club.

Later, he headed the Center for Sports Training of Russian National Teams, which he still directs.