The criminal fate of three generals

The Prosecutor General’s Office approved charges against former Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lieutenant General Sergei Umnovhis deputy major general Ivan Abakumovand the ex-head of the St. Petersburg State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, Major General Alexey Semenov. The editors of Kompromat.group found out what prospects await those involved in the scandalous corruption case.

Fight spirit

So, the investigation approved the indictment, which nevertheless included all those same 11 episodes of receiving bribes for a total amount 65 million rubles, which we wrote about earlier. The indictment also included all those “expenses” that caused bewilderment among everyone who follows the criminal case of General Umnov. Somehow: the same fitness subscriptions, the purchase of Toyota cars, the renovation of the general’s toilet and other premises in the Glavka building on Suvorovsky, a concert for the anniversary of the traffic police in the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall (which was attended by veterans, children and wives of employees, a total of about 3 thousand people) and of course a banquet with “delicacies” with which General Umnov fed his employees in order to “influence them.” As we have already mentioned, the investigation estimated the expenditure on food eaten by traffic police officers in 3 million rubles.

Despite the fact that this criminal case, in principle, causes great bewilderment among many, it is in this form that it will go to court, as the largest case of corruption in the St. Petersburg Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The investigation considers all of these things to be bribes, which were allegedly offered to the former head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region and his comrades in misfortune.

Now the pressing issue will be where exactly the case of the disgraced generals will be heard. The media have already written that the case has jurisdiction over the Smolninsky District Court. However, the chances that the generals will be given hearings in their native St. Petersburg are negligible.

“ The fact is that in St. Petersburg the courts, be that as it may, are more attentive to details and carefully examine many points– our insiders explain, – but in this case the prosecution will certainly be supported by the Prosecutor General’s Office itself, and they will definitely go to the Supreme Court with a petition to change jurisdiction“

According to our sources, most likely some district court in Moscow will be appointed, but it is unlikely that Basmanny will be appointed. Because in Basmanny the judges’ workload has now increased due to the large number of cases of fakes. Therefore, there can be any other court.

Also, according to our sources, the generals feel cheerful and ready to fight and do not give up hope for fair justice. However, in St. Petersburg they believe that the fate of Umnov, Semenov and Abakumov is practically predetermined.

Deliberate statement

Firstly, from the very beginning it was clear that any form of indictment would be approved. There was no doubt about itsay sources.

Secondly, this major and scandalous case must certainly end in a guilty verdict, otherwise its meaning is completely lost. As for the final result, here, as they say: alas, nothing positive “shines for the generals.” First of all, because there is no admission of guilt in the case. The generals have not admitted and will not admit anything.

“ Not like in Moscow, in St. Petersburg they also give the maximum for bribes without recognition,” insiders explain– In addition, the matter will be under the control of the General. There is practically no chance of winning. And on probation too“

According to our other commentators, even if the generals “went to their senses,” this would not have affected the verdict in any way. Because there are 11 criminal episodes, and the large size is 65 million is no joke. Therefore, elderly generals need not expect a suspended sentence.

“ The topic is difficult, everything sounds harsh– commentators explain, – Just look at the sanction of the article. There, you can ask for 8 years instead of hello. The kindest prosecutor may ask for 10.”

We could talk about a suspended sentence only if one of the defendants decided to hand over the generals and agreed to an agreement with the investigation. In other cases, no.

The only hope for Umnova, Abakumova, Semenova – the actual term in a colony is below the lower limit, taking into account merit, state awards and position. But still a real deadline. The only one to whom the court can show leniency is Elena Kopyeva, who has a young child and, by law, is entitled to a deferment until the child reaches 14 years of age.

Deadline in the moment

Only one thing can play into the hands of the old generals, this is the number of days they spent in the isolation ward. As is known, detention in custody is counted as a day and a half when assigning punishment. Since they have been in pre-trial detention for two years already, this is already a significant minus to the punishment. In addition, the judicial investigation promises to be difficult and quite possibly protracted. That’s at least another year. You can also add appeals and cassation here. So they will have to stay in the colony (at best) for a short time, but they will still stay.

In St. Petersburg, former comrades of Umnov are now discussing why the investigation brought such a strange accusation. Their conclusions are also disappointing and not always in favor of the generals.

“They couldn’t prove anything else.”– they say on the sidelines, – That’s why they charge this game, because this or that other thing may be larger and more serious.”

In the corridors of Glavka, they also whisper that only a narrow and limited circle of people knows what it could be, and exactly how Sergei Umnov stumbled. But they won’t talk about it.

The following is said about the criminal case itself: it is a well-designed punishment for specific things. Just in a different form. This is definitely someone’s revenge, whether it is fair or not cannot be known. But perhaps the defendants themselves guess about it.

“ In essence, the task was simply to “socially eliminate” Umnov and his generals.”– insiders explain.

Nevertheless, in St. Petersburg, the old guard sincerely hopes that all three defendants will have enough general ferment to endure the trial and all its consequences. The case has not yet gone to court, the judge is unknown, and there is no schedule for preliminary hearings. But it is already clear that 2024 will not be an easy year for disgraced police officials. The editors will monitor developments.