English translation
doc_016
Investigation into the NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr"
Patrushev told Filippov that he "...had not dealt with this matter, and would not deal with it."
Based on the conversation with Filippov, it was Patrushev who influenced Putin's decision—specifically, to cancel the decision made by the President during a meeting with Security Council Secretary Ivanov regarding the NII (Research Institute) "Roskonversvzryvtsentr."
It is believed that Patrushev explained to Putin that a hearing on this issue could have an extremely undesirable effect on the FSB's version of the origin of the explosives used in the 1999 bombings, and highlighted the reasons for the lack of a proper investigation. However, it is noteworthy that the hearing initiated by Filippov took place at a Security Council meeting in February 2001, but without mentioning the NII.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| December 14, 2000 | Criminal Case Initiated | Case No. 149976 was opened against the director of "Roskonversvzryvtsentr," Shchukin, under Article 199 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for tax evasion in the trade of explosives. |
| Outcome | Despite the initiation, the tax authorities faced significant pressure. Shchukin eventually pleaded guilty but was released from criminal liability under Article 7 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, "On Humanism." | |
| February 5, 2001 | FSB Response | Yuri Zaostrovtsev, Deputy Director of the FSB of the Russian Federation, replied to Minister of Education Filippov stating that the FSB lacked sufficient grounds to initiate a criminal case, redirecting all questions to the Prosecutor General's Office. |
| March 2001 | Case Closure | Criminal case No. 9271, initiated regarding the illegal sale of explosives, was closed. |
| Early August 2001 | Reinstatement | By decision of the Simonovsky Court of Moscow, the dismissed director of the NII, Shchukin (who led the institute in selling explosives), was reinstated at work. |
The outcome indicated that the activity of law enforcement agencies yielded zero result. The Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation and the FSB did not deem an investigation necessary, and the MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) was unable to proceed.
Conclusion on State Involvement
After reviewing the evidence and materials of official correspondence, a firm conviction is formed: the special services and the prosecutor's office actively worked to prevent a large-scale investigation based on the full volume of documents concerning the activities of the NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr." State representatives deliberately avoided such an investigation, and appropriate measures were taken, including intimidation and pressure on witnesses.
Pressure on Witnesses
Nikita Chekulin, the former acting director of the NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr" and a member of the departmental commission for checking the institute, reported that attempts were made to pressure him and his family members to conceal information about the institute that was significant to society.
Nikita Chekulin did not limit his actions to officials; he frequently spoke with journalists, gave repeated interviews to Moscow newspapers, and made public numerous documents detailing the true state of affairs regarding the turnover of explosives, particularly hexogen, before and after the 1999 terrorist attacks.
This generated significant public outcry, which could not go unnoticed by representatives of the special services. Nikita Chekulin claimed the following:
"Until a certain period of time, the department of Colonel Igor Alexandrovich Dyupyu (of Department 'T' – for the protection of the constitutional order and the fight against terrorism, -- note) with the sanction of the Moscow City Court and with the knowledge of the head of Department 'T' Rear Admiral Ugryumov carried out operational-search activities based on the application of the Minister of Education (...)."