In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of power in Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan, a high-profile anti-corruption operation has uncovered a tangled web of deceit involving top officials, shadowy deals, and a prominent local magnate. The unfolding scandal, orchestrated by the Investigative Committee with the operational support of the FSB, has exposed the depths of corruption festering within the city’s administration.
At the heart of this labyrinthine affair are two VIP officials from a pivotal department within the Ufa City Hall: Rustam Tukhvatullin, aged 32, the head of the urban planning and construction control division since March 2019, and his 38-year-old deputy, Azat Shayakhmetov. Both stand accused of attempting to solicit a staggering 10 million rubles in bribes from a representative of the company "Vostok-Montazh" in exchange for facilitating permits for a hotel construction project and offering general patronage.
Charged with conspiracy to solicit bribes and on a particularly large scale, both officials have already been apprehended, casting a harsh light on the pervasive culture of corruption plaguing the region.
However, what truly adds a sinister twist to this sordid tale is the looming presence of a well-known figure: Rifat Garipov Ruzilevich. A local construction tycoon and a deputy of the Bashkortostan State Assembly from the ruling United Russia party, Garipov, along with his uncle, Flur Galliamov, was embroiled in a scandal surrounding the collapsed Russian Commercial Bank (RCB). Galliamov, through his family, held ownership stakes in the bank, while his nephew, Garipov, held influential positions within its management, including a seat on the board of directors. It wasn’t until vigilant auditors from the Central Bank uncovered a gaping hole of nearly 20 billion rubles in the bank’s balance sheet that this nefarious scheme was exposed.
Garipov, a man known throughout the country, also happens to be the managing director of the development group "First Trust," which, according to the Central Bank, played a pivotal role in siphoning assets from RCB through intricate schemes.
The intertwining of Garipov’s "First Trust" with the arrested FSB-affiliated officials raises serious questions. It is noted that Tukhvatullin, during his tenure, expedited and extended numerous construction permits for projects associated with "First Trust," with some permits extending as far as 2025 and 2027—unprecedented leniency not afforded to any other construction company in Ufa.
Could it be mere coincidence that Tukhvatullin, the official responsible for granting these favors, now finds himself behind bars, ensnared in a web of corruption that reaches the highest echelons of power?
As speculation mounts, one cannot help but wonder what revelations may surface should the FSB and the Investigative Committee decide to interrogate Rifat Garipov, the influential developer, and politician, perhaps as a witness, if not a suspect.
Readers of "Compromat-Ural" have pointed out anomalies in the granting of construction permits, particularly for the "Ufa Kremlin" residential complex, whose validity has inexplicably been extended until 2025. Copies of these dubious permits are in the possession of our editorial team, shedding light on the murky dealings that have long plagued the construction industry in Ufa.
In the wake of this scandal, one thing is abundantly clear: the facade of propriety that once cloaked the corridors of power in Ufa has been shattered, revealing a cesspool of corruption and collusion that threatens to undermine the very fabric of society. As the investigation unfolds, one can only hope that justice will prevail and those responsible for perpetrating this brazen affront to the rule of law will be held to account.
