The sneakers that Dmitry Medvedev ordered from his Gmail account are one of several traces that link him to "charitable foundations" that own luxury real estate, where the head of government enjoys life.
8.3 million Russians watched the sensational video on YouTube and other social media last week. The video showcases palaces, luxurious country residences, yachts and vineyards where the Russian prime minister lives and spends his holidays.
None of these places directly belong to Medvedev; they are the property of people very close to the prime minister.
Medvedev's circle and billions of dollars
The luxurious property at the disposal of Medvedev belongs to charitable foundations bearing the rather ingenious names "Gift", "Fund of Socially Significant State Projects" and "Fund for the Preservation of Cultural and Historical Heritage.
The funds received more than 10 billion kronor in gifts from the richest Russian oligarchs, as well as cheap loans from state Russian banks.
"The only recipients of this charity were Medvedev and his relatives," Navalny says in the video.
The funds are managed by Medvedev's childhood friend and former business partner, while his wife Natalya Medvedeva (as in the text - ed.) and the nephew are board members.
Medvedev himself is not the owner, and officially nothing connects him with real estate.
But his Instagram photos show that the prime minister regularly rests there.
The "Sneaker Trail" showed that, having ordered Nike sneakers and shirts from his private account in Gmai, Medvedev asked to deliver them to the address of one of the "charitable" foundations.
Palaces, estates, vineyards and yachts
One of the luxurious estates in the countryside, which has been built by charitable foundations, is located in an abandoned village in Kursk, where the Medvedev family is from.
The gigantic estate has a landing pad for a premier helicopter, as well as a security house, a swimming pool, a large purpose-built park and a lake.
A chapel was also erected here in memory of the father of the head of government.
By the way, the palaces are guarded by the security service. It is prohibited to approach and drive to many residences.
The list also includes the most expensive and luxurious dacha-palaces in Sochi, where Medvedev has been vacationing for several years.
In addition to the "summer cottage" with an area of \u200b\u200b1.5 thousand square meters, the complex has swimming pools - both outdoor and indoor - and a landing pad for a helicopter.
In Moscow, the charitable foundation of a childhood friend of Medvedev has built a villa with an area of \u200b\u200bthree thousand square meters. It has a large Roman-style swimming pool, its own fish lake and a large sports complex.
The very territory of 20 hectares in the most expensive residential area was a gift from the oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
The list of properties controlled by funds includes a huge vineyard on the Black Sea and a small seaside palace.
Through a company in Cyprus, Medvedev's friends also own two yachts, which are often moored at the prime minister's dacha on the Volga. In September, anti-corruption activists posted photographs of this incredible place that completely destroys all notions of what a Russian dacha is. In particular, there is a separate ski slope.
Medvedev's entourage also owns a palace in St. Petersburg. It has been renovated and transformed into large, extremely exclusive apartments.
Large apartments in the St. Petersburg palace are equipped, for example, with their own elevators for luxury cars.
Anti-corruption fighter Navalny was also able to learn that the foundations acquired a vineyard in Italian Tuscany a few months after Medvedev's wife visited the site.
The vineyard belongs to the same Cyprus-registered company that owns the yachts used by Medvedev.
The whole office is in foam
Since then, the major Russian TV channels and Kremlin-controlled media have not said a word about the case, although the video has received 8.3 million views.
"It is pointless to comment on the criminal's propaganda attacks," Medvedev's spokeswoman said.
Context
Does Putin have rivals?
Khorasan 03.03.2017Navalny's candidacy in question
Le Monde 09.02.2017Temptation of Navalny
Le Point 24.01.2017When the opposition politician and his staff arrived at their offices in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday morning, they found the entrance and stairs covered in foam.
Demonstrators stood outside with placards.
"Navalny, why are you betraying Russia?" - the demonstrators shouted and urged him to get out to Siberia.
“You're right,” Navalny answered the demonstrators ironically. “I should probably go there and open offices for the election campaign. People who are against corruption also live there ”.
Mixed reaction
On the one hand, this investigation is called the best and most ambitious of all those conducted by Navalny. On the other hand, many independent Russian commentators point out that Navalny goes too far in his conclusions.
Russian Transparency International believes that the materials do not prove that Medvedev is personally corrupt.
“This is not proof, even if there are some friendly ties,” deputy head of the organization Ilya Shumanov said in an interview with Echo Moskvy, who believes that the case deserves criticism, primarily from an ethical point of view.
Bloomberg points out that the network of funds that Navalny exposes means that Medvedev's entourage may lose everything in the event of a change of power.
“This gives them an excellent reason to stay in power for as long as possible,” writes Bloomberg.
“What is fundamentally new is that the charges have been brought against the Prime Minister and the leader of the party. We can expect more, ”says Moskovsky Komsomolets. He asks the question: how will the matter end? Either Medvedev will lose his job, or Navalny will end up behind bars.
Another sign of a power struggle in the Kremlin?
Another possible version: allegations of corruption are also part of the struggle for power within the Kremlin.
Rumors have been circulating since autumn that Medvedev may be on his way to take off and could be replaced, for example, by the powerful chief of Rosneft Igor Sechin or Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
"Now Putin sits and thinks: since Medvedev has lost my trust, I will replace him with Sechin," independent journalist Roman Dobrokhotov wrote on Twitter.
“In Russia, corruption is the norm. Many people think that the authorities have the right to be corrupt, "says MGIMO professor Valery Soloviev (as in the text - ed.) in conversation with Mk.ru. He doesn't think the accusations made any impression on most Russians.
Presidential elections are approaching in Russia
Most perceive the corruption allegations brought by Navalny against Medvedev as the beginning of the presidential campaign in Russia: the presidential elections will be held in March 2018.
Navalny said he will run in the elections, but there is no guarantee that the Kremlin will allow this.
In 2011, one in three Russians asked answered that he would vote for Navalny as the next president. In February of this year, according to the Levada Center, their number dropped to 10%.
During this time, Navalny was subjected to a large-scale smear campaign and was sentenced on probation.
FBK Investigation Department drew attention to expensive shoes Medvedev, which caused a heated discussion on the Web
The Investigation Department of the Anti-Corruption Foundation drew attention to one of the photographs of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, where he was captured in unusual-looking boots.
A discussion on the Internet immediately unfolded about whether it is ethical for the second person of the state, who had previously told pensioners that “there is no money,” to wear such expensive shoes.
Medvedev in Jimmy Choo shoes for 50,000 rubles Say hello to retirees with their non-indexed pensions. Hold on! pic.twitter.com/PtEbisFpt1
Investigation Department (@otdel_r) July 5, 2016
For example, Maksim Katz, a municipal deputy of the Shchukino district, known for his opposition views, spoke out in defense of the prime minister, declaring that “these are just good shoes,” saying that he himself has a jacket for 50 thousand rubles.
Many other users also stated that they did not see anything unusual in expensive shoes: according to them, almost every schoolchild in the metro has a smartphone comparable in price to Medvedev's boots, and the Russian prime minister should not dress cheaply.
However, there were also those who supported the FBK. Thus, the editor-in-chief of the Mediazon portal, Sergei Smirnov, wrote that he did not understand “where all such successful<...>: in the country, the median salary is 20 thousand (or how much is there exactly). Probably, no one has relatives with such a salary. Nobody has parents! " In his opinion, "the argument about the iPhone is surprisingly stupid, as if Medvedev had only such shoes and he saved up for a couple of months."
Other Twitter users also agreed with Smirnov, posting numerous collages with Medvedev playing on his phrase “No money, but you are holding on”, said to Crimean pensioners in response to their complaints about a pension of 8 thousand rubles.
It is characteristic that a number of users brought a link to an online store, where the price of the boots was lower than in the FBK screenshot: about 400 pounds. However, now this price has already increased to 565 pounds - that is, to the same 50 thousand rubles.
Recall that this is not the first scandal around the clothes of the top officials of the state: for example, after a joint photo session of the president and the prime minister in 2015, it turned out that Vladimir Putin's sweatpants cost at that time no less than 82.5 thousand rubles. Even then, the media noted that to find sweatpantsEven if it is more than 10 thousand rubles for the top officials of the state, it is not an easy task, since well-known brands do not like to produce these wardrobe items.
Published on 7/6/16 11:50 AM
The FBK Navalny Investigation Department drew attention to one of the photographs of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, where he was captured in unusual-looking boots.
Department of Investigations of the Anti-Corruption Foundation of Alexei Navalny on your Twitter posted a photo of Dmitry Medvedev's unusual shoes, indicating the price of shoes - 50 thousand rubles. A dispute immediately flared up on the Internet whether it was ethical for the prime minister to wear such expensive shoes, especially after his statement to the Crimean pensioners about the lack of money (“There is no money, but you are holding on”).
"Investigation Department" on Twitter writes that thus "Medvedev in Jimmy Choo shoes for 50,000 rubles. says hello to retirees with their non-indexed pensions. "
Users split into intcbatch opinions. In defense of Medvedev, some users began to throw off links to an online store where the cost of shoes is lower than the one indicated by FBK. However, now the price has risen again to 565 sterling.
Someone thinks that it is inappropriate for Dmitry Anatolyevich to wear such expensive shoes. As noted by other users, they do not see anything unusual in this, arguing that now almost every student has a smartphone that is comparable in price to Medvedev's boots.
A municipal deputy of the Shchukino district also stood up to defend the prime minister
More recently, a certain Mr. Navalny in his video clip said that allegedly Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is passionate about how he loves sneakers. We decided to make a selection of sneakers in which the prime minister appeared in public places.
Nike Flyknit Max
These stylish, new-generation handsome Nike were first introduced in the 2016 Spring / Summer collection. The upper is made of unusual textiles using a special technology Flyknit is a special weaving of threads that makes the material lightweight, flexible and soft.
These sneakers completely follow the shape of the leg. Model outsole Nike Air Max Flyknit made of foam and rubber, but its main advantage is vacuum, thanks to which the shoe perfectly absorbs the foot and withstands even serious loads.
Nike Air Max Light Breathe
Another view Nike air max... Laconic, elegant men's sneakers for summer and spring. Judging by the name itself, they are very light and, as they say, breathable. Another universal model, in which both the feast and the world.
Nike Air Max 95 No Sew
Nike Air Max 95 No Sew Trainers in Medium Base Gray & White - a versatile shoe that is suitable for both jogging and casual meeting with business partner in your country estate somewhere in Vietnam. It will also be pleasant to walk along the Sevastopol sidewalks in this classic.
The Nike Air Max 95 was released back in 1995 and has since gained popularity among fans.
Adidas Consortium x UNDFTD x Neiborhood Micropacer
Here the prime minister's heavy artillery has already gone: an exclusive edition Adidas Micropacer, created in collaboration with two famous representatives of streetwear culture - Undefeated from Los Angeles and Japanese Neighborhood... This shoe is part of the Consortium line dedicated to adidas' most iconic footwear. This model is a Limited Edition, so you will hardly be able to get it in Sevastopol, but in the normal world of online commerce, such sneakers cost about $ 230.
Nike Air Max Light Breathe (White / Midnight Navy)
Price: $ 139 (83% of the Russian national minimum subsistence level)
An interesting choice. The sneaker is an offshoot of the classic Nike Air Max One, which first hit stores in 1987. In simple terms, this is a remix of the legendary model of the American brand, in which they wanted to bring a little fresh technology. The main feature of these sneakers is a soft, high sole with a built-in Air Max cushioning balloon, which is a sealed capsule with compressed air. When walking in these sneakers, you will not only enjoy walking, but also appear taller. I remember how I walked from Red Square along Pokrovka to the Kurskaya side, and from there to the Investigative Committee. A cool hike came out - my legs were absolutely not tired, this air balloon is a wonderful thing.
Interesting fact: The idea to make the cushion balloon visible and transparent came to Tinker Hatfield (famous Nike designer) when he was visiting Paris. There he was very impressed by the Georges Pompidou National Center for Art and Culture, where all the communications of the building were made visible. Looking at it from the street, you can see all the stairs, spans, crossings and other communications.
Adidas Consortium x UNDFTD x Neighborhood Micropacer
Price: $ 199 (119% of the Russian national minimum subsistence level)
Let's talk about everything in order. If you are a little intimidated by this jumble of beautiful and incomprehensible words next to adidas - it's in vain. Everything is extremely simple. The Adidas Consortium is a subsidiary of the German brand that specializes in creating limited edition collaborations with famous brands, personalities, shops, etc. This time, two well-known brands from the world were chosen for the collaboration. street fashion - Japanese Neighborhood and American UNDFTD (Undefeated), and the legendary Micropacer model was taken as a basis (canvas), which became famous for its special computer located on the tongue of the sneaker. The computer monitors the speed and mechanics of the stride, and then converts it into the number of steps. In short, a pedometer built into the shoe. Believe it or not, these sneakers were developed back in 1984. In general, as regards this model itself. A very cool collaboration of two important streetwear brands based on classics - the perfect combination. In such sneakers, you are not ashamed to go to some fashionable get-together or dance to the American Boy. The hype level rises sharply.
Interesting fact: The UNDFTD brand (which started with a regular store) took a very specific symbol as the basis for its logo, which is not known to everyone. In this way, prisoners count 5 days in prison cells (it is much easier to calculate the total number of days spent in prison).
ASICS Onitsuka Tiger X-Caliber Pennant
Price: $ 89 (53% of the Russian national minimum subsistence level)
A very simple and beautiful model. True Japanese minimalism, where quality materials and brilliant design ideas are successfully combined. If you love simple, versatile shoes, this is a great choice. In them, you can even go to the store, even to Seliger, even to Skolkovo.
Interesting fact: ASICS is an abbreviation for "Anima sano in corpore sano", which in Latin means "In a healthy body, healthy mind."
Adidas x Raf Simons Formula One
Price: $ 305 (183% of the Russian national minimum subsistence level)
I also noticed that Dmitry Anatolyevich chooses mostly tall models to hide his small stature. In general, judging specifically by this aspect, he chooses the model correctly. A high sole, a powerful heel - this is immediately guaranteed + 5cm in height (take on board if you want to look a little taller than you are). Some of the most beautiful and interesting high-soled shoes are produced by adidas in collaboration with renowned designer Raf Simons. If you are far from the world of sneaker fashion, then here's an understandable comparison: it's like a Porsche in the world of cars - beautiful, defiant, but not always practical, and the price bites. The model itself is quite interesting, but it's rather difficult for me to imagine under what clothes these sneakers can be worn by Dmitry Anatolyevich.
Interesting fact: Raf Simmons is a graduate in furniture and interior design by education.
Nike Flyknit Max
Price: $ 239 (144% of the Russian national minimum subsistence level)
If speak about best sneakers of this list, then I would choose these. A superb breathable Flyknit upper, a woven synthetic fabric that's incredibly comfortable for your foot. All this splendor is housed in a full-size Air balloon, which perfectly protects the foot from external influences. The comfort is maximum here. High sole again.
Interesting fact: Air Max sneakers are banned in all American prisons because inmates ripped open this cylinder and hid money, drugs, and sometimes small edged weapons in it.
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