Lukoil generates Bulgarian passports for Russians, but not profits and taxes for Bulgaria

LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas for 20 years does not report profits and does not pay taxes in Bulgaria. However, this does not prevent Russians bosses in LUKOIL to receive Bulgarian citizenship for special merits in the economy. In addition, at least 3 basketball players, a coach and even a designer of infrastructure projects, all related to
LUKOIL
.

The war in Ukraine has shed a bright light on yachts, planes and mansions owned by Russia’s richest citizens worldwide, but there is another highly sought-after luxury item – passports.

. In Europe, in the last ten years, 4,000 Russians have received the so-called “Russians”. Gold passports, having invested more than $3 billion. in property and other assets, according to an analysis by the European Parliament.

Citizenship for special merits as bosses in LUKOIL

Ilshat Mirgazinovich Sharafutdinov –
Chairman
of the Board of LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas since November 2016, is a Russian citizen holding a certificate of permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria. He joined the LUKOIL team in Burgas in 2000 and since 2009 he has been a member of the Management Board. Given the history of previous LUKOIL leaders in Bulgaria, it will not be surprising if a procedure has already been launched and he acquires Bulgarian citizenship.

Yevgeny Vladimirovich Turlakin is
a member
The Board of LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas from 11.12.2009 to 30.09.2019. The declaration signed by him in 2009, entered in the Commercial Register, is in his capacity as a Russian citizen holding a long-term residence card in Bulgaria. Upon his release in 2019, the documents submitted to the Commercial Register were already in his capacity as a Bulgarian citizen. It is not clear on what grounds he acquired Bulgarian citizenship.

Sergei Mikhailovich Andronov, born in Russia, until 08.11.2016 article

The Board of LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas became a Bulgarian citizen by decree on file 2079/2015. It was proposed by Bozhidar Lukarski for “Special merits in the field of economy. Loan
Managerial position

in an oil refinery
“. His citizenship was first announced.
Mediapool
in February 2021

Nikolay Nikolaevich Ivchikov, born in Russia, until 25.07.2008 article

The Board of LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas became a Bulgarian citizen by Decree 29 of 23.03.2007 in Case 3/2007. It was proposed by Rumen Ovcharov for “Special merits

in the field of economy.

Head

of a large company whose activities support the development of the economy and energy

.” /Mediapool

in April 2012/

Alexei Yurievich Belenky, born in Russia, with Ukrainian citizenship, as a member of the Board of LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas, became a Bulgarian citizen by Decree 42 of 28.04.2006 under file number 14194/2005. It was proposed by Miroslav Sevlievski for “Special merits in the field of economy. Contribution to energy by borrowing different
Managerial positions

in some of the companies – world energy leaders
“. Investigation of of Bivol In 2018, he discovered Belenky’s residence near Sozopol, where no one had searched for him while he was wanted through Interpol. The circumstances surrounding the acquisition of his Bulgarian citizenship are doubtful.

In addition to LUKOIL’s leaders in Bulgaria, at least 3 Lukoil Academic basketball players, a coach and even a designer of infrastructure projects, all related to LUKOIL, have acquired Bulgarian citizenship on merit.

Valentin Zlatev – longtime head of Lukoil and “Russian resident”

Data on the intervention of Russian services and specific “conductors” of Russian influence in Bulgaria through Lukoil have been available for more than a decade ago. In diplomatic cables from 2006, published by Wikileaks and Bivol, US Ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle noted that Borissov maintains close financial and political ties with Lukoil Bulgaria Director Valentin Zlatev.

The information about the role of “Lukoil” in the economic rise of Borisov’s security company – IPON is even older. IPON became a factor after in the late 1990s received from the refinery a contract for the protection of its pipes and facilities. And this is reflected in detail in the Beyrle report.

“ 14. (S/NF) Borisov maintains close financial and political ties with Lukoil Bulgaria Director Valentin Zlatev, an extremely influential political broker and political puppeteer. His loyalty (and vulnerability) to Zlatev play a big role in Boyko Borisov’s political decision-making process. The mayor has engaged Lukoil in numerous public-private partnerships since taking office: Lukoil has committed to donate asphalt for the repair of metropolitan streets, to take care of the monument to the Soviet army and to finance housing for the destitute. As a counter-gesture, Borisov helped provide municipal land for the construction of new Lukoil gas stations. Although the deal seems like a quid pro quo, Borisov’s public agreements with Lukoil are only one side of his much deeper and broader business relationship with Zlatev, information about which we have received through other channels.

Another 2005 report, signed by professional intelligence officer James Pardew, found information that U.S. intelligence agencies suspected Lukoil Bulgaria and Valentin Zlatev of links to Russian intelligence and advancing its interests in Bulgaria.

“

Lukoil’s Bulgarian operations, through Zlatev, are suspected of close ties to Russian intelligence and organized crime.”

Photo: Ilshat Sharafutdinov (right) – Chairman of the Management Board of LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas and Vladislav Bratchikov – First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Engineer, proudly decorated with the black and orange “Georgievska ribbon” on May 9, 2020 in Burgas.

***

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