#secure money rituals services

[mediumsizedwildcat]

Guardian Demon

pt. 1 - pt. 2

masterlist | stranger things m.list

summary: A month before shit went down, Eddie summoned a demon. It saved his life and now it may be in love with him. Most certainly, Eddie gets to fuck the demon.

cw: supernatural mlm; description of the demon, bit of world mechanics, biting, blood, spit, jerking off, lube, fingering, anal sex, unprotected sex, non-human body functions (asshole turning wet), pain kink, lmk if I missed something

Eddie Munson x demon!reader | 3k words

*Minors & ageless blogs Do Not Interact

— ☾ —

Gently, very gently, Eddie runs his hand over your back, his fingers following the natural lines of your skin. He tries his best to not wake you up, watching as the muscles react to his touch, moving your wings ever so slightly.

As his hand wanders further down, you let out a soft purring sound. Eddie smiles and whispers, "You like that, huh?"

He starts pressing kisses to your shoulder and you can't keep the soft giggle in. Eddie smiles, carefully grips your waist, pressing his thumb into the flesh.

"I should repay you," he whispers, "for what you did last night..."

"It's okay," you sigh softly, enjoying his touch. Where you're from, tenderness like this is very short in supply.

Being completely honest, Eddie shouldn't even touch you like this. You shouldn't be in bed with him and you shouldn't have sucked him off either. But it feels nice to be this close to someone.

It's probably a body-thing; being a demon in this world is a new experience to all of your dimension. Perhaps when other demons answer to new summons you'll be able to talk to someone like you about this.

Eddie grins softly, "When I summoned a demon I didn't think I'd get one like you."

You turn around, sitting up before you lie on your back so you don't squish or otherwise hurt your wings. Frowning up at him, you respond, "What did you think?"

"That it wouldn't work," Eddie chuckles and places his hand on your chest. "Why did it work?"

"Well," you think for a moment, "we know when we're being summoned, but until a few months ago, this world was inaccessible for us."

You shrug, "I guess that Vecna-guy your friends keep talking about accidentally opened up a gateway and even though he's dealt with, the gateway is still open."

"So, you knew that I did a summoning ritual?" Eddie moves his thumb over your skin, looking down as he tries to understand this.

You nod, "Yeah, I knew you summoned one of ours. We all did, since you didn't really specify whose services you tried to secure. Usually nobody cares for summonings from a world we can't access, but I've always wanted to know this one."

"That means," Eddie frowns, "you held onto the summon for a month? Why did you come, after all that time?"

"Because you were dying," you state simply, as if it's obvious. To your kind it may not be, but you expected Eddie to know.

Instead, he keeps inquiring, "You didn't even know me. Why would that matter?" What Eddie truly wonders is, Why would I matter?

You giggle, "Stupid human. You were my way into this world and from the moment I entered your body I was tethered to you. Now I don't have the footing to stay here, you humans are weirdly obsessed with that money-stuff."

"Oh," Eddie mumbles, sitting up. Of course you're just with him because he summoned you. Because you don't have another option.

To reach your wing around Eddie's back, you sit up, too. Gently nudging his cheek with its claw, you make him turn his head to look into your direction. He's not hiding his emotional response to the new knowledge.

"When I saved your life," you keep your voice gentle, "my response to your summon was fulfilled. I could've moved on to any other person." You place your hand on his cheek and gently run your thumb over his cheekbone.

"I wanted to stay with you," you smile as you nudge his nose with your own. "I've had so many people scream at me, but you didn't. You summoned a demon and you weren't scared of what you got."

Eddie chuckles dryly, "Why would I be scared of you? You're, like, real hot..."

"Let's see," you press a kiss on his cheek, "the first time you saw me it was your mirage with my distinctive features. Usually, people get scared. I don't know how it is with humans, but that's been my experience so far."

He looks you up and down and smiles, "Distinctive features, huh? You mean the horns? Or the wings?"

"Them and the claws and the fangs," you grin widely, showing the fangs off. "You know, it was very hard to not permanently change your body when you were almost dead. I could've just made it mine and I probably would've been able to heal it so it's of good use to me..."

With your face already so close, all Eddie has to do is to angle his head. Hesitantly, he presses his lips to yours, unsure if you're feeling it, too. Unsure if last night was a one time thing.

You smile and reciprocate the kiss, your hand wandering to the back of his neck. Pulling Eddie's head closer, tangling your fingers in his hair. He smirks and, minding your wings, pushes you back down onto the mattress. Finding his place between your legs, he slowly grinds his hips down, his kiss nearly bruising.

Bless his stupid little heart, pumping all that blood down to his dick, making him hard and ready for you. You bite his lip, enough to draw blood, gaining a soft grunt from him. Running your tongue over the cut you make Eddie hiss at the pain. Though, judging by the way he bucks his hips, he seems to like it.

"Stupid human," you repeat, breathing heavily. Eddie huffs a laughs and trails kisses down your neck, gently sucking on the skin at your throat. "You really make me feel empty," you huff, "I didn't even know bodies could feel that way..."

"Bodies can feel a lot of different things," Eddie purrs. "I'd like to show you all of them... Starting with this..." He runs his hand down your body, gently pushing it under the band of your underwear.

The moment his hand wraps around your dick, you close your eyes, a soft moan falling from your pretty lips. He starts to move his hand, slowly up and down, teasing you, so to say. You whimper softly, letting your body's instincts take over.

"There you go," Eddie praises. He sits back on his knees and kisses down your belly, carefully removing your underwear.

You giggle, "Why don't you get rid of your own clothes and come back down here? Let's celebrate this body~"

Eddie laughs with your suggestion, but pulls his shirt off over his head. He throws it aside, rubbing his palm over your happy trail. You smile at the feeling, almost literally purring. “The rest, too,” you hum as you gently pull on the band of his boxer shorts.

He gets up and grins, “Wanna see it all, huh?” He shoves his underwear off while you’re sitting up and as he straightens out, you press your lips to his again.

Pulling him onto the bed, you turn the two of you around, intensifying the kiss as you climb onto his lap. With your dicks throbbing, Eddie grabs your waist and pulls you closer. He starts pushing his hips up and he whines when nothing comes from it. You giggle and sit down on his thighs, brushing your hand through his hair.

“So,” you grin, “how does this work, pretty boy? How do we, what is it called again? Make love?”

Eddie feels a hot shot surge from his chest down to his cock. “Fuck,” he curses, “‘make love’? Really? You wanna kill me or something?”

You tilt your head to the side, a confused look on your face. “Why would I want to kill you? You’re no good to me with a dead body.”

He huffs, “I’ll explain later. How you wanna do this?” Eddie sighs, “I mean, you okay taking me? Getting, uhm… Getting fucked?” Nerves running wild, he looks up at you.

Cheeks flushed from your body’s arousal, eyes wide and curious. Somehow, your body seems to know what it means, moving ever so slightly closer to his dick. “I,” you look down at your body, your own cock thick and throbbing with need. The same need is what you can feel in your hole; you always wondered what that one was for. Perhaps procreation?

“Yeah,” you finally nod, “I think I want that. My body feels very ready for whatever ‘getting fucked’ means. Which, weirdly enough, this body seems to know.”

Eddie huffs a laugh, “Alright, there’s lube and a condom in the night stand,” he points at it, "why don't you get them for us?"

As you lean down and over to get what Eddie told you to, he spits into his hand and reaches between the two of you. He puts his hand around both dicks, gently spreading the saliva and starting to pump his hand.

You moan and lie your head on his shoulder. “Fuck,” you echo his cursing, “that feels good. Oh, that’s really good, Eddie.”

Hearing you say his name, all desperate and needy for him, Eddie grunts. “Lube,” he nearly growls, “now.”

“So commanding,” you pant, “are you like that with all people?” You open the nightstand, "Or is this all for me?" Pulling out the container filled with lube.

Grinning at your victory, you show Eddie the container, wave it in front of his face. “Now what, big guy?”

Eddie smirks and kisses you, taking his hand from in between your bodies and gently running his hands down your waist and hips. He squeezes your ass, quietly praising the sounds coming from your mouth. He opens the container and dips two of his fingers into the lube, coating them generously.

Once he’s sure you’re relaxed and ready, Eddie carefully rubs his fingers over the rim of your hole. You gasp, your whole body responding to his touch.

“That’s it,” Eddie coos as he works you open. With your head on his shoulder, you breathe heavily, your hips pushing back against his fingers. Feeling your breath against his skin, hearing your little, very pathetic moans. “You feeling ready?”

You nod, pre-cum leaking from the tip of your cock, smearing onto Eddie's, mixing with his pre-cum. "Yes," you sigh, "very ready."

Eddie doesn't ask again, moving his hands from your ass to your thighs, squeezing gently. He coats his hand in lube again, this time smearing it all over his dick, pumping it to get it nice and wet for you.

Whining at the view, you dig your claws into his chest. "Eddie," you whine, "already waited long enough! Please~"

"So impatient," Eddie grins, watching your dick twitch with anticipation. "Alright, move up, pretty boy."

You comply, urging your body up, pressing your knees into the mattress. Even your wings flatter, your whole body waiting for him to make you feel even better than he already has.

Lining his dick up with your hole, Eddie gently presses his hand down on your lower back. "Sit up, sweetheart," he coos, "gotta sink down on my dick, okay? Take it as much as you can without it hurting and take as much time as you need."

You steady yourself with your palms on his chest, but lean down to kiss him before you sit all the way up. It takes Eddie by surprise, but he kisses you back before he watches you sink down on his cock.

When you feel him pressing past the rim of your hole, your head falls back and your lips part, eyes watching Eddie even though you don't mean to. You let out a breathy moan, your tail wrapping around Eddie's thigh and your wings barely holding up -a telltale sign that you're relaxed and calm.

Eddie dies a little inside, lust taking over most of his motivation. Clearly you're very turned on and clearly, his body likes what you're doing. His breath grows heavy, his hand squeezes your thigh and when he wets his lips the cut in his lip burns.

He doesn't care about the pain, he doesn't care that your claws break the skin of his chest. You're too fucking hot for him to care. Who thought fucking a demon would be something Eddie would be into?

The deeper you take him in, the more your body changes. The tip of your tongue splits again, taking on the demon you are instead of the humanoid body this is supposed to be. Your horns grow, too, just a little, your tail gaining strength.

Most importantly though, your hole starts to turn wet. It's not blood, it's simply what your body thinks it's supposed to do. Eddie curses, not so under his breath, gripping your hips tightly.

"Fuck-" His chest heaves with every breath, "Are you- Are you getting wet? Fuck, that's- Shit-"

He presses his head into the pillow, his back arches and when he finally bottoms out, feeling your balls against his skin, Eddie nearly loses it.

"Jesus Christ," he clenches his jaw, staring down at your dick. "Are you like, a succubus or something? Fuck, I'm gonna cum-"

You clench around him and Eddie moans loudly in response. "Please," he starts to beg, "please, I don't wanna cum yet! I don't- I don't want this to be over, please!"

Trying to make this as comfortable for Eddie as possible, you try to relax your body. You lift your claws off his chest, long tongue carefully licking up the blood.

"I'm not a succubus," you explain with a soft voice. "Succubi have vulvas and vaginas, the ones with penises are incubi. Which I'm also not, they're sex demons."

Eddie huffs, "You-You tryin' to tell me they feel even b-better?" He's fighting his orgasm so hard and the way you look down at him, concerned and confused, doesn't make it any easier.

"I don't know," you shrug, "I've never tried sex before. That's what we're doing right now, though? That's the right word for what's happening, no?"

"It is," Eddie quickly assures, his thumbs digging into your flesh.

You smile, "I bet I could help you with that. Make you, uh... Not cum? Is that how humans phrase it?"

"I-I guess," he huffs, "how? How would you help?"

You grin and move your tail from around his thigh to around the base of his cock. You can feel him throb and he moans at the sensation, but when you tighten your tail's hold, Eddie lets out a relieved breath.

"That better?" You coo, leaning down to kiss him. "I did study some of your anatomy when you weren't aware of me. Glad it's coming in handy."

Eddie grabs you by your neck and crashes his lips against yours in an aggressive, bruising kiss. "You're such a fucking--" He doesn't end the sentence, unsure what to call you. Demon? Well, that'd just be accurate.

"Liar?" You suggest, giggling. "Creep? I did 'creep on you', as others would say it. Watching you jerk yourself off in the shower..."

His cheeks turn pink and you grin. "So easily manipulated... That's so human of you, baby."

Not wanting to go down without a fight, Eddie thrusts his hips up in a stark motion. Your eyes rip wide open, a loud but short moan forcing its way out of your throat.

"Awww," Eddie copies your attitude, "that's so demon of you, baby."

Your cheeks flush and you give him a soft apologetic kiss. "Got the message," you mumble, "I'll try to keep it down."

"Thank you," Eddie huffs, kissing your cheek. "You wanna do this or you wanna keep talking?"

You lick the cut in his lip and, very carefully, slip it into his mouth, placing your lips on his like you saw in Eddie's magazines. Once again he reciprocates the kiss, playing with your tongue as he starts to move his hips.

The cautious movements make you huff and whine, feeling good but not quite as good as you know he can make you feel. You sit back up, massaging his chest with your palms as you try to get accustomed to the new position.

Once you're ready, you start moving on your own, up and down and up and down, opposite to the rhythm Eddie set. His breath falls short, little whimpers falling from his lips.

Meanwhile you get to feel it all, the pulsing, the thickness, getting filled and being wanted. You slip your wings under Eddie and, despite his confusion, pull him up, pressing his chest against yours.

With him this close, you wrap your arms around him, pressing your fangs into his neck and moaning against his skin. Eddie moans at the pain, slides his arms around your waist and starts pushing your rhythm. Faster and harder, until he's moaning into your shoulder, the room filled with sounds of wet squelching and skin slapping against skin.

"Eddie," you groan, pulling his head back and pressing your bloody lips against his.

He slows down, focuses on your kiss. It's his turn to bite your lip and you clench around him, starting to take on the speed and force he left off when you kissed him.

Happily letting you take the lead, Eddie leans down to kiss your chest. When you let spit drip down it's mixed with blood, but lands on the head of your cock. Eddie understands, kisses you again, forcing his tongue into your mouth and using his hand to spread your spit over your dick.

Through your riding him, you fuck yourself into his hand, making the most pathetic sounds Eddie ever heard. Your tail loosens, its tip moving to play with Eddie's balls instead.

He whines, "Not yet, fuck, please!" But you don't want to hear his pleads anymore, you want him to cum. "Don't want it to end," Eddie begs and you moan against his lips.

"Please," it's your turn to beg, "I want you to fill me up, Eddie. I want to feel you cum."

He whimpers and starts kissing you more intensely. He gives into the knot tightening in his abdomen, white hotness surging through his body as he comes undone. He groans very loudly into the kiss -into your mouth- and feeling the hot thick splurges of cum shoot into your hole, you moan with him.

"Yes," you encourages breathlessly, "fuck, yes, just like that, Eddie!" You kiss him, sloppily, open-mouthed, "Shit, thank you. Oh, fuck, thank you!"

Your thighs squeeze around Eddie's hips as he comes down from his high, but you don't have enough yet. He didn't want it to end so why should it have to?

— ☾ —

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[taxiserviceinvaranasi00]

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[thegreylingparlor742]

Magic Oils

Basic Base Instructions

Supplies and Ingredients:

a small glass jar with an air-tight lid (mason jars or recycled jars are amazing!)

cheesecloth or muslin

an oil base (olive oil, sunflower oil, Jojoba oil, Vegetable oil or the like)

another jar or container to hold the finished oil (pretty jars are good but make sure they have good tight fitting lids)

labels  (hand written or printed its up to you)

dried herbs (chosen for your oils intended purpose of course)

Directions:

Fill about 1/3 of the glass jar with your dried herb(s) of choice.

Pour your oil base over the dried herbs—almost all the way to the top of the jar.

Shake the jar gently.

Label the jar with the oil base, herb(s) used, and the date.

Close the jar tightly and put it in a cabinet—preferably a cool, dark place.

Gently shake the jar twice a day, every day, for the next 2-4 weeks.

After 2-4 weeks, open the jar, place a piece of cheesecloth on top of the jar, and secure with a rubber band.

Strain the oil by tipping the jar over another another jar or bowl (to contain your infused oil).

Once most of the oil is strained out, remove the rubber band and squeeze the remaining oil out of the herbs that are in the cheesecloth.

Bottle the infused oil, and be sure to label and date it!

Common Herbs Used to Infuse Oils

Basil

Calendula

Elderflower

Hawthorn

Lavender

Mugwort

Peppers

Roses, rosebuds, rose hips

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Wormwood

Tip #2: Focus on your intent when making magical oils.

If you are using herb-infused oils for magical or spiritual purposes, remember to concentrate on your intention while making the oil. Your intention and energy is what makes the oil “magical”.

Tip #3: Consider the timing.

Lunar phases play an important part in creating magical oils. For instance, if you are making a magical oil to use in money magic, make it on a new or waxing moon and bottle it at the next new or waxing moon.

How to Use Herb Infused Oils in Magic

There are many magical uses for herb infused oils and essential oils. Magical oils are used to charge, empower, dress, and consecrate spiritual and magical tools and items.

Common Magical Uses:

Anointing your altar

Anointing your tools

Anointing yourself for meditation and ritual

Anointing your home to cleanse or protect.

Dressing candles

Food for mojo bags, nation sacks, spell bags, etc.

In a Pinch? Mix Essential Oils!

If you’re in a magical pinch and don’t have time to make herb infused oils, essential oils work just as well and are easy to attain. If you already have essential oils on hand, mix two or more together for the desired effect, scent, etc. For example, if you want to ease anxiety before an interview, mix lavender essential oil with lemongrass essential oil then dab it onto your wrists. If you need a banishing oil to dress a candle, rub cinnamon essential oil from the top of the candle to the bottom and all around it.

DISCLOSURE: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you information about the paranormal and paganism.

Midsummer Fairy Magical Oils Recipe

Here is one of my favorite magical oils recipes (one of my staple herb infused oils) that I want to share with you all.

Ingredients:

Sweet almond oil

Lavender flowers

Elderflowers

Hawthorn leaves and flowers

Thyme

Instructions:

On a waxing moon, fill a jar 1/3 of the way with the dried herbs.

Cover the herbs with the sweet almond oil, filling the jar almost to the top.

Shake gently and label with the oil base, herbs, and date of creation.

Put away in dark, cool place for a month, shaking gently everyday.

On the next waxing moon, strain the herbs out of the oil and label the new bottle with the date and ingredients.

[bopinion]

2023 / 18

Aperçu of the Week:

"Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward."

(Oscar Wilde)

Bad News of the Week:

What's true in security policy is also true in fiscal policy: if the U.S. isn't fit, the whole world gets sick. The world's (still) largest economy sets the tone. Many global trade flows, e.g. for energy, are conducted in U.S. dollars, and in many countries it has replaced the domestic currency - whether unofficially, as in Zimbabwe, or even officially, as in El Salvador. So what happens to the U.S. economy or the U.S. dollar has global implications.

In the process, there seems to be a kind of parallel universe. Normally, in the economy, when a so-called insolvency threatens, all the alarm bells go off: Employees look for new jobs, suppliers stop supplying, the bank cancels the credit line, creditors are left sitting on their claims. The company is simply bankrupt, at the end of its rope, with no future prospects. Except, perhaps, for a few fillet pieces that the competition buys up at bargain prices. This does not apply to the USA. Because it is effectively bankrupt. And no one seems to care.

The current debt level - only of the state, not of its companies (banking crisis) or citizens (mortgage and credit card crisis) - amounts to $31.38 trillion. This is significantly more than the gross domestic product (GDP) of $26.85 trillion. In fact, this can never be repaid. For comparison: in Germany, $2.73 trillion in debt is compared to a GDP of $5.32 trillion. And we feel that this is bad. The creditors of the USA sit primarily abroad - whether friendly like Japan or even downright hostile like China. And sleep apparently nevertheless calmly. And that even in the face of the current (once again) concrete threat of insolvency.

Normally, and this has been the case for decades, this is nothing more than a ritual: the money is no longer enough, Republicans and Democrats agree - sometimes with more, sometimes with less dispute - to ignore the debt ceiling, which is actually regulated by law, they obtain money on the markets without any problems and act as if nothing had happened. Until next time. Business as usual.

This year, things may turn out differently. Because the trench warfare between the duopoly parties could reach a new level. Which this time might not be done with a few government agencies and national parks closed for two weeks. Already since the in many ways ridiculous election of Kevin McCarthy as Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives, this has been publicly announced. Because the ultra-right MAGA freaks like Marjorie Taylor Green or Matt Gaetz have made it clear that they will play hard ball on this issue at the latest: rather cuts in social services as well as environmental protection than a suspension of the debt ceiling. For party-political reasons and without a shred of interest in economic or financial policy. At the same time, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns that so far it has only been possible to avert default through "a series of extraordinary measures".

Strange that the U.S. nevertheless has a credit rating of AAA. Is that perhaps because the three relevant agencies, Standard & Poor, Moody's and Fitch, are all U.S.-based private firms? Or that no one wants to admit that there may be a systematic problem after all? In every banking crisis - and we have one right now that is nowhere as dramatic as in the U.S. - the term "too big to fail" makes the rounds. The land of unlimited opportunity, unreal projection surface for the hopes and dreams of large parts of the world's population, must not be allowed to fail. That is psychology. It's certainly not mathematics.

Good News of the Week:

More and more often, I notice on the train and in the supermarket that I'm the only one still wearing an FFP2 mask. Yet I'm not an overly anxious person. I am merely part of a vulnerable group for whom it is still better not to become infected with the corona virus. But that is my personal decision. And no longer a legal requirement. Because there isn't one anymore. Except in many doctors' offices, where masks are still mandatory if that's what the doctor wants - which objectively would have made sense even earlier, because after all, that's basically where a disproportionate number of viruses and bacteria are buzzing around.

Basically, I'm glad that the Word Health Organization (WHO) officially lifted the international health emergency due to Corona on Friday. After more than three years of a worldwide pandemic. In the balance, there are more than 20 million deaths. A health system that reached its limits and exceeded them in many countries. A mass death of retailers and cultural institutions. Lots of children and young people with mental health problems - or at least major failures as they grew up.

Many health policy decisions were right. Many were wrong. Some fellows discovered their social empathy. Some a penchant for conspiracy theories. Friendships and bonds of solidarity have grown. Or were destroyed. As is so often the case in life, the task now is to learn from the past for the future. Because it will not be the last challenge that human society will have to face - looking at the news, the multi-crisis still dominates.

Therefore, it is nice that we have at least left behind the frightening side effects of the Corona pandemic. Which will accompany us from now on as a "completely normal" respiratory disease with a potentially fatal outcome. Like the flu. Because let's face it: normality can be very reassuring.

Personal happy moment of the week:

Last Monday was May 1, a public holiday in Germany. And while on "Labor Day" (actually absurd that this day of all days is a public holiday) demonstrations of the trade unions for more workers' rights take place everywhere in Germany, the accent in Bavaria is elsewhere. Namely on the maypole. A tradition according to which an approximately 30 meter high, white-blue painted trunk is erected with muscle power - accompanied by music, dance and beer. Cancelled the last years because of Corona, it was nice to be able to celebrate this festival again this year. Even the rain had a mercy and took a break for the crucial three hours.

I couldn't care less...

...that the United Kingdom has a new head of state since yesterday, King Charles III. And so do Canada, Australia, New Zealand and 13 other Commonwealth countries. All the pomp, his costumes and rituals etc. show me one thing above all: monarchies are no longer in keeping with the times. And are not democratic.

As I write this...

...I am listening to music. Right now John Legend. And think about the fact that this is probably the only undoubtedly exclusively positive achievement of mankind: art. Whether it's music, poetry, performing or visual art, analog or digital, live or documented. The kind of creativity that does not seek a concrete use value, but stimulates, entertains, inspires, polarizes, makes you think. L'art pour l'art is something very beautiful.

Post Scriptum

Germany reached its "earth overload day" last week. So if all of humanity were as wasteful with resources as we are, it would need three Earths. We only buy green electricity and drive an all-electric car or use public transportation. We try not to throw away food and collect everything that can be recycled. We order as little as possible from Amazon (okay: also because we simply can't stand the working conditions of this company and its owner himself) and basically try to reduce our consumption (okay: this also saves money and has an educational value). And yet we are more part of the problem than part of the solution. Sigh...

[apuadman]

Knowing what we want and make it happen

When I enter the Magickal world, I just walk with it and whenever there is a Ritual I joined in, I always have trouble on making my own personal Wish, though I have been taught at Witch School International and in the Correllian Nativist Tradition that we should not Limit the Wish that we are going to make as by doing it, we are also limiting the Wish Granting ability of the Divine Power. It is quite right, because now-a-days, there is nothing impossible at all and almost everything we can do and make it manifest.

Probably, the ability of teleportation may not be doable as of this moment, but if we allow time and hard work to move things to make it happen, soon we will be enjoying that ability.

Yes, Time and Hard Work is still an instrument to make Wishes comes true for me. As long as we have a clear picture of what we want to happen and manifest it will be real.

24 years ago, when I started Luntiang Aghama as a religious organization here in the Philippines that focuses on developing Magickal Abilities, I did not think of making a lot of money to fix our house or buy a car. I am very contented with what I have and very often to desire for material things. What I am thinking only is to secure things that could support me such as my phone, laptop, wifi connection, food. I never thought of having a fancy mobile phone, because at this moment as I see all phones now can do the same thing. But in terms of mobile phone, what I am looking for just like what I have now is that the phone should have ability to make and receive calls, send and receive short messaging services, ability to capture pictures, record voice and video, connect to the internet.

But as years pass by, I forgot to think of my place where I could permanently stay. Though, my Parents already have secured that to us with my siblings, but for many years I neglected to think of it only maintaining it by only paying the bills. But lately, I start to think of it and another concern raise up which is the ability to make it.

For the longest period of time, I am unemployed, though I devote most of my time serving as a #FilipinoPaganPriest and fair enough, I am earning from the Services I provide incorporating from the Duties that I have in Luntiang Aghama. It's not that much as most of my services are on Donation Basis though I ask enough if people want to learn and I will teach them a skill or so. But Teaching Skills or conducting training is not all time skills. I do not teach in College or High School where everyday I see people to teach, which is the reason for me to earn that much.

Though my Work on my Ministerial Service have paid off as I've been Invited to Teach in California that gives me opportunity to Earn. And through that earning, I am able to make renovation to my house, which I am very excited to see and make it as a Temple of the Diwata, which will be the first one again in the Philippines. If the Templong Anituhan will not be approved by the Philippine Government, I will register instead the Church of DEA which means the Church of the Diwata, Engkanto at Anito which will house the practice of #FilipinoMagick

[musafirservices]

How to Find Low Price Umrah Packages in 2024

Embarking on the sacred journey of Umrah is a deeply spiritual experience, but it’s understandable to want to manage costs effectively. At Musafir Services, we recognize that finding low price Umrah packages can make this pilgrimage more accessible to many. This guide will help you navigate the options for affordable Umrah packages in 2024, ensuring you get the best value while fulfilling your spiritual obligations.

Why Choose Low Price Umrah Packages?

Affordability: Low price Umrah packages provide an economical way to perform this important pilgrimage, making it accessible for more people.

Value for Money: Budget-friendly packages often include essential services, ensuring that you receive value without compromising on quality.

Flexibility: Affordable options can cater to various travel dates and durations, allowing for flexibility in planning.

Key Factors to Consider When Looking for Cheap Umrah Packages 2024

Travel Dates: Prices for Umrah packages can vary significantly depending on the time of year. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons to find better rates.

Package Inclusions: Check what is included in the package. Essential services typically covered are flights, accommodation, and transportation. Ensure these meet your needs.

Accommodation: Opt for packages that offer comfortable but budget-friendly lodging. Proximity to the Holy Mosque can impact prices.

Flight Options: Look for deals or promotions on flights that align with your travel dates. Some packages may include budget airlines, so compare these options carefully.

Duration: The length of your stay can affect the overall cost. Decide on the duration that fits your budget while allowing you to complete the Umrah rituals comfortably.

How to Find the Best Low Price Umrah Packages in 2024

Research and Compare: Utilize online resources and comparison tools to evaluate different package options. Musafir Services offers a range of low price Umrah packages that cater to various needs and budgets.

Book Early: Early booking often secures better rates. Plan your trip in advance to take advantage of early bird discounts.

Check Reviews and Ratings: Look for feedback from previous travelers to ensure the reliability and quality of the service providers included in the package.

Consult with Travel Experts: Reach out to travel consultants who specialize in Umrah packages. They can provide tailored advice and help you find the best deals.

Tips for Booking Low Price Umrah Packages

Understand the Fine Print: Carefully read the terms and conditions of the package. Pay attention to any additional fees or charges that might apply.

Prioritize Essentials: Focus on packages that include necessary services such as visa processing and transportation to and from the Holy sites.

Look for Bundle Deals: Some travel agencies offer bundle deals that combine flight, accommodation, and other services at a reduced rate.

Flexible Dates: If your travel dates are flexible, you might be able to secure lower prices by adjusting your departure and return dates.

Benefits of Choosing Musafir Services for Your Umrah Journey

Customized Options: Musafir Services provides a variety of low price Umrah packages tailored to meet different needs and preferences.

Transparent Pricing: Our packages come with clear pricing, so you know exactly what you’re paying for without hidden costs.

Expert Support: Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you find the best Umrah package for your budget and requirements.

Customer Satisfaction: We prioritize your comfort and satisfaction, ensuring a smooth and memorable Umrah experience.

Common Questions About Low Price Umrah Packages

Are low price Umrah packages reliable? Low price doesn’t necessarily mean low quality. It’s essential to choose packages from reputable providers like Musafir Services that offer transparency and value.

What should I do if I find a cheaper package? Compare the cheaper option with others in terms of inclusions and services. Ensure that the lower price doesn’t come with compromises that could affect your journey.

Can I customize a low price Umrah package? Yes, many travel agencies offer customizable packages. Musafir Services can help tailor a package to fit your specific needs while staying within budget.

Conclusion

Finding a low price Umrah package doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or comfort. With careful planning and consideration of key factors, you can enjoy a fulfilling pilgrimage without breaking the bank. Musafir Services is committed to providing affordable and high-quality options for your 2024 Umrah journey. Start your search today and take the first step towards a spiritually enriching experience.

Call to Action

Ready to book your low price Umrah package for 2024? Visit Musafir Services or contact us directly to explore our affordable options and start planning your sacred journey today. Let us help you make this pilgrimage both memorable and budget-friendly.

[zodiacraashii]

Zodiac Raashi Upaye - Your Ultimate Business Problem Solution in Patiala

Are you struggling with persistent business challenges? Do financial setbacks and management obstacles keep hindering your growth? In the fast-paced world of business, problems are inevitable, but the solutions might be closer than you think. At Zodiac Raashi Upaye, we offer expert astrological solutions to help you overcome business problem solution in Patiala and pave the way for success. 

Business Problem Solution Astrologer: Transform Challenges into Opportunities

At Zodiac Raashi Upaye, our experienced business problem solution astrologers are dedicated to turning your business challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether you are facing cash flow issues, difficulties in decision-making, or employee disputes, our expert astrologers analyze your birth chart and planetary positions to identify the root causes of these issues. Through personalized astrological remedies, they help you overcome obstacles and pave the way for a prosperous business future.

Business Problem Solution Baba: Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Business

The Business Problem Solution Baba at Zodiac Raashi Upaye combines ancient wisdom with modern business insights to offer practical solutions. Through the powerful combination of mantras, yantras, and personalized rituals, our Baba provides guidance that is specifically tailored to your unique business situation. With years of experience and a deep understanding of astrology, our Baba has helped countless business owners in Patiala navigate through tough times and achieve their goals.

Money Problem Solution Astrology: Unlock the Flow of Wealth

Financial stability is the backbone of any successful business. If you are facing money-related challenges, our Money Problem Solution Astrology services can help you restore balance and attract wealth. By analyzing your astrological chart, our experts identify the planetary influences that might be causing financial strain. Through specific upaye (remedies) such as gemstone recommendations, ritualistic practices, and auspicious timings, we help you unlock the flow of wealth and secure your financial future.

Business Problems and Solutions: A Holistic Approach

Business problems can arise from a variety of sources, including competition, market fluctuations, and internal management issues. At Zodiac Raashi Upaye, we believe in a holistic approach to solving these problems. Our team of skilled astrologers and business consultants work together to provide you with comprehensive solutions that address both the astrological and practical aspects of your business challenges.

Why Choose Zodiac Raashi Upaye?

Expert Guidance: Our team comprises seasoned astrologers and business consultants with years of experience.

Personalized Solutions: We provide remedies that are specifically tailored to your business needs.

Confidentiality: Your privacy is our priority. All consultations are conducted with the utmost confidentiality.

Proven Results: Our clients have experienced significant improvements in their business performance after following our astrological guidance.

Conclusion

Don't let business problems hold you back. With the guidance of Zodiac Raashi Upaye in Patiala, you can overcome challenges, attract wealth, and achieve lasting success. Whether you need assistance from a business problem solution astrologer, the wisdom of a business problem solution Baba, or financial guidance through money problem solution astrology, we are here to help. Contact us today to discover how astrology can transform your business for the better.

[rimesree]

Tirumala Package

Tirumala, home to the world-famous Sri Venkateswara Temple, is a revered destination that attracts millions of devotees each year. If you're planning a visit and want to ensure a smooth, spiritually enriching experience, opting for a Tirumala package is the ideal choice. These packages offer a comprehensive and well-organized journey, allowing you to focus on the divine without worrying about logistics.

Why Choose a Tirumala Package?

Ultimate Convenience and Comfort A Tirumala package is meticulously designed to provide the utmost convenience for pilgrims. With transportation, accommodation, and temple visits all pre-arranged, you can focus solely on your spiritual journey without any hassle.

Time Management These packages are tailored to ensure you get the most out of your time in Tirumala. Whether you have a single day or multiple days for your pilgrimage, the package ensures that your time is used efficiently to cover all significant spiritual sites without feeling rushed.

Spiritual Immersion The comprehensive itinerary allows you to immerse yourself deeply in the spiritual atmosphere of Tirumala. You have the opportunity to participate in rituals, seek blessings, and take in the sacred ambiance at your own pace.

Affordable and Value-Driven Tirumala packages often offer great value for money by bundling services such as transportation, accommodation, and special darshan tickets. This helps you save time and money compared to organizing everything on your own.

Highlights of the Tirumala Package

Seamless Transportation Your pilgrimage begins with a hassle-free transportation arrangement to Tirumala. Comfortable vehicles are provided, ensuring a smooth and relaxing journey as you approach this holy site.

Special Darshan Tickets The package includes special darshan tickets for Sri Venkateswara Temple, minimizing your waiting time and allowing for a peaceful and unrushed experience. This ensures that your visit to the temple is calm and spiritually fulfilling.

Visits to Sacred Temples In addition to the main temple, the package typically includes visits to other significant temples in the region, such as the Padmavathi Temple in Tiruchanur and the Sri Kalahasti Temple. These temples hold immense spiritual importance and enhance the pilgrimage experience.

Comfortable Accommodation Whether you're on a one-day or extended pilgrimage, the package includes comfortable accommodation options, allowing you to rest and rejuvenate before continuing your spiritual journey.

Expert Guide Assistance Knowledgeable guides are available throughout your trip, offering insights into the history and significance of the temples, rituals, and Tirumala itself. Their expertise ensures that you gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual practices and traditions.

Return Journey After completing your darshan and temple visits, the package includes a comfortable return journey to your starting point, making the entire pilgrimage experience seamless and worry-free.

Booking Your Tirumala Package

Booking your Tirumala package is straightforward and hassle-free. Tirupati Balaji Tours & Travels offers a convenient online booking system where you can select the package that suits your needs, pick your preferred dates, and make secure payments. Their customer-focused services ensure that your pilgrimage is both enriching and memorable.

Conclusion

A Tirumala package is an excellent choice for devotees seeking a well-organized, convenient, and spiritually fulfilling visit to Tirumala. By choosing this package, you can concentrate on your spiritual journey without the distractions of planning and logistics. Book your Tirumala package today with Tirupati Balaji Tours & Travels and embark on a divine and transformative experience.

For more details and to book your package, visit Tirupati Balaji Tours & Travels.

This content reflects the updated focus on a Tirumala package and highlights its benefits, making it appealing to potential pilgrims.

[iwpnet]

Bad company

How businessmen from southern Russia seized control of Moscow's funeral industry, and who helped them do it.

In May 2016, bullets flew at Moscow's Khovanskoye Cemetery as upwards of 400 men fought over the graveyard, resulting in three deaths. The violence meant the end of an era in the capital's funeral business, completing the redistribution of the industry. Those in control until then hailed from the town of Khimki, just outside Moscow, and it was their efforts to maintain a foothold in the city that led to the clash at Khovanskoye.

After the bloodshed, however, businessmen from the Stavropol region with connections to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) took over virtually every cemetery in Moscow. Ivan Golunov, a special correspondent in Investigations Department, explains the origins of the Moscow funeral industry's new beneficiaries and looks at the figures likely responsible for their rise. To bring this story together, following Golunov's arrest in June 2019,worked with a dozen journalists at the leading Russian news publications "Forbes", The Bell, "Vedomosti", "Novaya Gazeta", "RBC", BBC Russian Service, and Fontanka.

The nuts and bolts of this report, broken down into three main points

Earlier in this decade, a group of men who graduated from the same military engineering academy gained control over the funeral business in Khimki, a town outside Moscow, and then briefly expanded that network into the capital's municipal funeral enterprise "Ritual." Relying on tactics that sometimes left opponents crippled or killed, Yuri Chabuev hired allies to key positions around the city, before a rival group from the Stavropol region managed to force out the Khimki crowd.

The new titans of Moscow's funeral business - entrepreneurs from Stavropol - owned a variety of companies back home before colonizing the capital's market. Several important bankers also left Stavropol for Moscow, and has discovered links between these figures and multiple high-ranking FSB officials. In addition to competition over cemeteries and funeral services, units in the Interior Ministry and FSB have fought for control over Russia's banking sector, where shell companies are frequently used to disappear large sums of money.

It has uncovered considerable evidence of suspicious personal ties between shady bankers from Stavropol and senior officers in Russia's Federal Security Service, including several mansions outside Moscow that have mysteriously been transferred to the ownership of a private organization called "Russian Federation."

PART 1

The mass grave

In November 2008, Mikhail Beketov was attacked and brutally beaten. He spent the next 18 months in hospitals, where doctors removed the shattered skull fragments that pierced his brain and amputated his right foot and three fingers on his left hand. He spent the rest of his short life confined to a wheelchair, barely able to speak. Five years later, Beketov died.

The journalist's assailants were never identified. Beketov suggested that Khimki Mayor Yuri Korablin may have been behind the attack. Several months earlier, he had started receiving threats, and in 2007 someone set fire to his car. Beketov said the intimidation was linked to his critical news reporting about construction projects approved by the city.

From 1994 to 2001, Mikhail Beketov served as the press secretary for Khimki Mayor Yuri Korablin. After leaving office, he used his own resources to launch "Khimkinskaya Pravda", an opposition newspaper that was highly critical of the city's new mayor, Vladimir Strelchenko. Beginning in 2007, "Khimkinskaya Pravda" covered various local conflicts, including the battle to preserve the Khimki Forest. The newspaper made a name for itself with a series of articles about the reburial of the remains of six military pilots from a mass grave located in a public square near the Leningrad Highway.

The authorities in Khimki justified the mass grave's relocation as necessary for the expansion of the Leningradskoye Highway (though journalists also reported that officials were concerned about prostitutes working in the same public square, supposedly "defiling the memory of Russia's fallen war heroes"). Local activists argued that the pilots' remains were moved to free up land for the construction of a new shopping center. After reporting by "Khimkinskaya Pravda", national TV networks and other activists started paying attention to the story about the mass grave.

Mikhail Beketov wrote that tractors were used to pull up the soldiers' graves, and the men's bones were tossed into plastic bags. Some of the remains were apparently lost. On network television, Beketov shared photographs he'd taken at the former site of the mass grave, showing what appeared to be human bones lying around. Because of the newspaper's coverage, and because Beketov accused him of destroying his car, Mayor Strelchenko filed a defamation lawsuit against "Khimkinskaya Pravda"'s founder.

Today, business centers occupy the forested space for which Beketov gave his life. After the public controversy, however, Khimki's authorities stopped short of building up the territory completely (though the land was already demarcated on the city's estate map), and officials limited development to the roadside area. A year after the pilots were reburied, a business center was built a few hundred yards from the former site of the mass grave. The building belongs to Evgeny Golovkin, the son of Nikolai Golovkin, who managed Moscow's Main Internal Affairs Directorate from 2001 to 2014. The companies that eventually took up residence at Golovkin's business center include several businesses then owned by the wife of Vyacheslav Nyrkov, the head of "Ritual-Khimki" (the enterprise that was responsible for reburying the pilots).

PART 2

Classmates

A military engineer by training, Nyrkov fit in well with the administration of Mayor Strelchenko, who is himself an ex-military man, having served as deputy commander of Russia's Kantemirovskaya Division. Retired soldiers comprised a significant part of Strelchenko's team. The scandal over the mass grave in Khimki was Nyrkov's first experience in resolving a conflict with local residents. Before taking over the municipal funeral enterprise, he was course director at the Emergency Situations Ministry's Civil Defense Academy, which is located on Khimki's outskirts. This is when he gave his first interview to the press, saying that hazing at the academy was being eradicated with the help of an "honor roll."

During the conflict over the mass grave, Nyrkov told journalists that the pilots' remains were placed in pathoanatomical bags, which were black and could be mistaken for trash bags, while surgeons from the local hospital monitored the excavation work. He said the bones in Beketov's photos were likely dragged there by stray dogs, or maybe the activists themselves planted them at the site.

Having successfully managed the pilots' reburial, Nyrkov was promoted in 2009 and made the head of Khimki's Podrezkovo Microdistrict, and later put in charge of the town's entire construction industry. In his role as supervisor of the city's construction business, Vyacheslav Nyrkov is best remembered for his efforts to legalize infill development. These projects often ran into opposition from local residents, and it was always up to Nyrkov to resolve the disputes.

The construction sector in Khimki has all the same advantages as Khimki's funeral industry - it's nearly Moscow, only cheaper. Now supervising Khimki's construction industry, Nyrkov maintained his influence on the city's funeral business. In 2009, he invited Yuri Chabuev, his old classmate at the Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy in Volgograd, to head Ritual-Khimki. Together, the two men created several companies that earned money on funeral services, construction work, and garbage disposal. Meanwhile, small shopping centers and stores owned by the wives of Nyrkov and Chabuev started appearing in Podrezkovo.

Nyrkov and Chabuev's mortuary followed a simple business model: Ritual-Khimki had staff at morgues throughout the city, but the contracts these representatives negotiated with clients were with the private company owned by the two state officials. In his hometown outside Penza, Chabuev set up a company that manufactured coffins and funeral accessories. A company owned by Nyrkov's wife also built a columbarium at Khimki's Novoluzhinskoe Cemetery, and planned to construct a crematorium and a new cemetery at the site of the city's "Levoberezhny" solid waste landfill.

Together with the wife of Yuri Shnaider (another Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy alumnus), Narykov and Chabuev created the company "Clean City," which offered waste-disposal services to businesses in Khimki.

Beginning in the early 2010s, representatives of the public organization "Zdorovaya Natsiya" (Healthy Nation) and the motorcycle group "Nochnye Volki Khimki" (Khimki Night Wolves) started joining Narykov at local protestsagainst infill development. These newcomers supported the construction companies and sometimes used force to disperse crowds of demonstrators. Nyrkov co-owned a local branch of the group, which was permitted for office space at a Khimki shopping center owned by Narykov and Chabuev. Zdorovaya Natsiya was registered at the office address of Ritual-Khimki, located at the premises of a pharmacy owned by the Khimki City Council deputy who chairs the legislature's House and Communal Services Committee.

In 2010, amid a conflict over another construction site, environmentalist Konstantin Fetisov was beaten up. Police arrested the assailants and the man who ordered the attack, who turned out to be Khimki Municipal Property Department head Andrey Chernyshev, Nyrkov's colleague who worked under Alexey Valov, one of Mayor Strelchenko's staff (before joining Khimki City Hall, Valov commanded a military unit stationed near the Kantemirovskaya Division). Chernyshev was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison. In court, the defendants said they were only doing Valov's bidding, but this testimony led to no further developments in the case.

In 2012, shortly after the conflict over the construction of a highway through Khimki Forest, Vladimir Strelchenko was dismissed. Two years later, Alexey Valov was put in charge of the Moscow region's Shchyolkovsky District.

PART 3

From Khimki to Khovanskoye

In 2013, Yuri Chabuev started a new job in Moscow as the head of the No. 3 Territorial Branch of Funeral Services (TORO; at that time, the term "funeral services complex," or KRO, was in use) of the municipal enterprise "Ritual," which operated at Khovanskoye, Vostryakovskoye, and several other major cemeteries. The Ritual-Khimki director position went to Pyotr Levchenko, another Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy classmate.

Two years later, No. 3 TORO's jurisdiction was expanded to include several old cemeteries, among which were Troyekurovskoye, Vagankovo, and Novodevichy, making it Ritual's largest subdivision. Chabuev now had 31 cemeteries under his control, including the capital's most prestigious graveyards. Yuri Shnaider, Chabuev's old classmate and business partner at "Clean City," was soon put in charge of No. 5 TORO, which managed several major cemeteries south of Moscow: Shcherbinskoye, Domodedovskoye, and Kotlyakovskoye. This is how the Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy graduates expanded their influence over Moscow's best cemeteries.

The partners' revenue shot through the roof, and Chabuev's hometown funeral-goods manufacturing business took off. No. 3 TORO started rentingequipment from Chabuev's wife, who opened a restaurant called "Serbia" in the "Romanov Dvor," one of the capital's most expensive business Centers (located just a few hundred yards from the Kremlin).

The most notorious incident associated with Yuri Chabuev's reign over Moscow's funeral industry is the violence at Khovanskoye Cemetery that claimed three lives in May 2016. The fight included members of Zdorovaya Natsiya, who'd previously helped disperse protests against infill construction. This group included men from Chechnya and several police officers. One of the co-founders was Alexander Bocharnikov, the son-in-law of Mikhail Portashnikov, the former deputy head of Moscow's traffic police.

By many accounts, the conflict itself only started when Yuri Chabuev tried to increase the amounts of money he extorted from the cemetery's Tajik groundskeepers.

Immigrants from Tajikistan comprise a significant part of the labor force at Moscow's cemeteries, keeping the grounds clean and maintained. It has learned that almost all of these workers are from the same "local council" (uniting several villages) in Obigarm, in Tajikistan's Roghun District. Some of these immigrants are legally employed in Moscow, while others are not, but everyone pays a "deduction" to their cemetery's administrators for the chance to work for them. For a long time, this revenue item was so insignificantly small for funeral business executives that they ignored it almost completely. This neglect allowed migrant workers to save their money and begin to expand their sphere of activity. By 2016 at Khovanskoye and Perepechinskoye cemeteries, for instance, they opened their own official headstone workshops. Chabuev decided to take control of this business.

According to the testimony from workers at Khovanskoye Cemetery, Yuri Chabuev invited them to transfer their official and unofficial businesses to his people and continue their ordinary wage labor. The Tajiks refused, and Chabuev resorted to his old tactics from Khimki, calling in Zdorovaya Natsiya.

The young men from Zdorovaya Natsiya arrived at Khovanskoye Cemetery in the spring of 2016, during peak season for burial services, when headstones are going up and graves are getting routine maintenance. Rolling in on motor scooters, they proceeded to "inspect" the premises, expelling the Tajik workers from the cemetery grounds.

On May 14, the first weekend after Russia's long spring holidays, a mass brawl of 200 to 400 men broke out between the Zdorovaya Natsiya members and Khovanskoye Cemetery's Tajik laborers. Far outnumbered, Zdorovaya Natsiya opened fire. The shooting ended as soon as the riot police showed up. Three people died in the skirmish, and more than 30 were seriously injured, including some bystanders who were only visiting the cemetery.

In November 2018, a court convicted Yuri Chabuev of organizing the violence and sentenced him to 11 years at a maximum-security prison. One of the fight's other organizers, Zdorovaya Natsiya co-founder Alexander Bocharnikov, was given nine years. Another 13 men who took part in the brawl were sent to prison for between 3.5 and 11.5 years. Officials also arrested hundreds of Tajik nationals, deporting some, placing others under administrative arrest for 15 days, and sentencing another five men to three years in prison.

During the trial, Chabuev said he repeatedly warned Ritual's then deputy head of security, Alexander Garakoev, about the situation at Khovanskoye Cemetery, but Garakoev did nothing to prevent the conflict, Chabuev claimed, and the private security guards stationed at the graveyard were even ordered not to intervene in the fight. In the 1990s, Garakoev served in Tajikistan, and he came to Ritual from a position in the FSB Border Guard Troops, where he was the head of a logistics base in Stavropol.

After Chabuev's arrest and the dismissal of his friends from Ritual, almost all of Moscow's cemeteries fell under the control of men hailing from southern Russia in the Stavropol region.

PART 4

The boys from Stavropol

According to Moscow's Commerce and Services Department, the city's funeral industry does at least 14 billion rubles ($222.1 million) in business every year. At the same time, based on official data for the past three years, the municipal enterprise Ritual earned between 1.7 and 3 billion rubles ($27 million and $47.6 million) on paid services each year.

The funeral business is a reliable source of cash, an industry insider told. Companies can earn money under the table by preparing bodies for burial, selling plots at cemeteries, digging and maintaining graves, and organizing funerals. Three sources who spoke to estimate that the annual volume of "shadow cash" generated by Moscow's funeral-services industry is between 12 and 14 billion rubles ($190.4 and $223 million).

The redistribution of Moscow's funeral-services market began even before the shootout at Khovanskoye Cemetery, with the appointment in 2015 of Ritual's new director, Artyom Ekimov, the former senior criminal investigator at the Interior Ministry's Anti-Corruption and Economic Security head office (GUEBiPK). According to sources in the Moscow government, hiring Ekimov was part of an effort to clean up the city's funeral market, and officials hoped his experience in the Interior Ministry would help him get the job done.

A series of police raids against influential executives at Ritual preceded Ekimov's appointment, and several people were charged with bribery. A few weeks before Ekimov started on the job, officers from the Moscow police's Economic Security Department arrested former Samara Regional Duma deputy Dmitry Anishchenko, who allegedly promised to help appoint a certain businessman to take over Ritual for a fee of 2 million euros ($2.3 million). Anishchenko was sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempted fraud. A former GUEBiPK officer told that Ekimov handled some of the criminal intelligence work on that case.

In early 2015, Ekimov's tenure at Ritual began, and he started gradually replacing the top administrators at various cemeteries with his own people. At first, these changes left Yuri Chabuev's sphere of influence virtually untouched. After the violence at Khovanskoye, however, Ritual executives decided to put their house in order, and they soon replaced the top administrators at almost all of the city's cemeteries and crematoriums. The replacements Ekimov hired often had no experience in the funeral business. They had something else in common, too: they all hailed from the Stavropol region.

With these personnel changes, Ritual-Moscow welcomed Valerian Mazaraki (who previously owned an alcohol business) as Ekimov's first deputy; Roman Molotkov, the owner of several restaurants in Stavropol and a member of the Stavropol rap group "Krestnaya Semya" (Godfather Family); Albert Utakaev, the former head of the FSB Border Guard troops in Karachay-Cherkessia and later the assistant manager of the State Registration Federal Agency's Moscow branch; Yuri Kushnir, who previously managed a car dealership and worked as a bartender on the "Bryusov" diesel boat; and a dozen more people.

There's only one part of Ritual not in the hands of the Stavropol group

The only sphere of Ritual not managed by people from the Stavropol region is the company's Major Sites and Services branch, which is headed by Nikolai Pyshkin, Oleg Semenov, and Vladislav Petrashev, who used to work together at a housing and public utilities enterprise in eastern Moscow. From 2010 to 2012, Pyshkin served as the head of the Izmailovo District, and Semenov managed a local utility service. In Moscow's Eastern Administrative Okrug, a company called "Gamma" was hired for nearly 220 million rubles ($3.5 million) to provide services at utilities at Moscow's cemeteries, becoming the biggest contractor in the area. The business belongs to Ruslan Pikalov, who also owns the company "Axiom," which won similarly lucrative contractsbetween 2010 and 2015 to carry out work in the Izmailovo District, where the largest contractors are the firms "Accord" and "Atlas." For several years, these two companies - both of which were owned by Pavel Radchenko - received more than a billion rubles ($15.8 million) from the district's public budget. In 2014, after Pyshkin stepped down as the head of Izmailovo, Accord and Atlas stopped bidding on procurement deals in the area, but they later won several contracts with Ritual. Radchenko's eternal rival in Izmailovo was "Helios" LLC, which belongs to a businessman from Zelenograd named Andrey Pak. Curiously, Pak co-owns the company "Danlux" LLC with Oleg Semenov's wife, Olga Glozman.The new leadership at Moscow's cemeteries led to changes in the graveyards' security contracts as well, with the "Alpha-Horse" private security company supplanting multiple other firms. The business belongs to 28-year-old Emilia Leshkevich, who also owns a crafts store in Perm. Leshkevich is a relative of Anastasia Mazaraki, the wife of Lev Mazaraki, the brother of Ritual's first deputy general director.

Six months after the fight at the Khovanskoye Cemetery, Leshkevich foundedthe "First Ritual Company," which then bought several dozen hearses, and subsequently won several public contracts with Ritual to provide transportation services. Leshkevich's partner in this business is a man named Sardal Umalatov, who in January 2019 became the co-owner of another Moscow mortuary called "Grail."

Umalatov's father was the head of the Chechen Parlimaent's Oil Industry Committee under breakaway leader Dzhokhar Dudayev. In the early 2000s, 23-year-old Sardal Umalatov appeared in news stories when his Bentley was set on fire. In 2017, Umalatov's brother was killed in a shootout between minibus drivers competing over the same route. To service that route, Moscow regional officials had hired the carrier "Trans-Road," which journalists have tied to Alexander Kolokoltsev, the son of Russia's interior minister. Sardal Umalatov co-owns several businesses with Alexander Kolokoltsev. The newspaper "Vedomosti" previously tied Minister Kolokoltsev's son to multiple minibus shuttle services that have received multi-billion-ruble passenger-service contracts from Moscow's Transportation Department.

Writing on behalf of the interior minister, an assistant named Irina Volk told that Alexander Kolokoltsev has never had any ties to the funeral business, and said his father is unaware of any illegal commercial activities committed by his son. Emilia Leshkevich told that she refuses to comment on these matters. Alexander Kolokoltsev did not respond to a letter from, and Moscow's Commerce Department ignored journalists' inquiries.

PART 5

The bankers

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the brothers Lev and Valerian Mazaraki lived and managed businesses in Stavropol, occasionally appearing in various scandals, particularly in relation to their alcohol manufacturing company "Alliance," which federal regulators repeatedly caught selling spirits of unknown origin. The brothers also owned several stores and entertainment venues where questionable alcohol was reportedly discovered. In 2007, Valerian Mazaraki founded the pyramid scheme "Vremya Dokhoda" (Income Time), which was quickly shut down after the company used an image of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in its advertising.

From 2007 to 2012, Lev Mazaraki managed the North Caucasus branch of "SG-Trans" (one of the country's biggest railway operators for transporting oil and gas cargo). He also owned "SG-Trade," which provided various services to SG-Trans. For example, the railway operator signed over a number of tanker cars that went missing a few years later - just as SG-Trade advertised onlinethat it was selling a supply of railway tanker cars. Several current cemetery supervisors are linked to this story.

In the early 2010s, the Mazaraki brothers sold Alliance and moved to Moscow, leaving the alcohol business for the banking industry. Together with some of their friends, they bought and managed Social Economic Bank, National Development Bank, Mast-Bank, and Vestinterbank (see table).

A common thread unites these institutions: shortly after the arrival of Mazaraki-linked managers, Russia's Central Bank revoked the licenses of each of these banks for violating laws against money laundering, and officials later discovered that some of the banks' assets had been siphoned off. According to the Central Bank, the Stavropol-based Social Economic Bank couldn't account for 1.1 billion rubles ($17.4 million) after losing its license, the National Development Bank was missing 13 billion rubles ($205.7 million), Mast-Bank couldn't find 6.8 billion rubles ($107.6 million), and the small Vestinterbank lost a mere 386 million rubles ($6.1 million). Lev Mazaraki shared a seat on Vestinterbank's board of directors with former state security officer Nikolai Dorofeyev. Two sources in the funeral business who spoke to say they suspect this man is related to Alexey Dorofeyev, the head of the Moscow FSB Directorate, though was unable to find documentary evidence verifying this. Nikolai Dorofeyev did not respond to a letter from, and he could not be reached by telephone. Alexey Dorofeyev did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

According to the Central Bank, the funds withdrawn from the banks were routed through loans issued mostly to shell companies, but in some cases, the money reached familiar companies. For example, shortly before the National Development Bank lost its license, a loan of 30 million rubles ($474,600) was issued to Lev Mazaraki's SG-Trade (the same company that lost the railway tanker cars). The company soon folded.

Most of the staff involved in these schemes moved from bank to bank. For instance, Stavropol native Sergey Selyukov was a shareholder at Social Economic Bank and later managed satellite offices at the National Development Bank and Mast-Bank. Between 2015 and 2016, he supervised one of Ritual's local subdivisions in Moscow, and in the spring of 2017 he took over the Moscow office of a small bank called "Sputnik," which was registered in Samara.

In 2017, Sputnik was acquired by a group of people previously employed at Social Economic Bank and other failed financial institutions. Shortly thereafter, Sputnik launched a Moscow branch and opened cash-transaction services desks at the "Dubrovka" and "Food City" shopping centers and the "Mosvka" marketplace. Despite the large cash flows at these venues, few banks operate here. Before it lost its license, Mast-Bank (which also has ties to Stavropol financiers) was one of the biggest institutions present at these marketplaces. It has learned that Sputnik's marketplace services desks opened in the same premises previously occupied by Mast-Bank.

In March 2019, police officers raided the "Sadovod," "Food City," and "Mosvka" marketplaces, completely shutting down all operations. Not long afterwards, Sputnik closed all its marketplace services desks.

Lev and Valerian Mazaraki could not be reached by telephone. Valerian did not respond to a letter from addressed to his name, sent to Ritual's press service, and Lev did not answer questions sent to him over Facebook Messenger.

PART 6

The FSB and Friends

Artyom Ekimov - the man who made Valerian Mazaraki his deputy and staffed Moscow's territorial funeral services departments with fellow Stavropol natives - took charge of Ritual literally just a few days before federal agents carried out a special operation against his former place of work. As a result of that police bust, the entire leadership of the Interior Ministry's Anti-Corruption and Economic Security head office (GUEBiPK) ended up in Prison.

The reason for the police action was an earlier sting operation staged by GUEBiPK officers to try to catch Igor Demin, the deputy director of the FSB's Internal Security 6th Service, in the process of accepting a bribe. Afterwards, seven GUEBiPK staff, including department head Denis Sugrobov, were charged with abuse of office and provoking bribery, and later with organizing a criminal association as well. Sugrobov was initially sentenced to 22 years in prison before the term was reduced to 12 years.

It's believed that the Sugrobov case was a response to GUEBiPK's attempts to gain control over the banking sector, which was traditionally supervised by the banking division (Department "K") of the FSB's Economic Security Service.

Denis Sugrobov knew about Artyom Ekimov's plans to leave the department to work at Ritual, a source close to Sugrobov told. Back in 2013, says source, Sugrobov suggested that Ekimov had been hired as the new head of the Moscow funeral service because he was a "competent guy" and a friend of FSB Lieutenant Colonel Marat Medoev. Sugrobov's contacts in the presidential administration also allegedly informed him that Medoev's superior, Alexey Dorofeyev, directly lobbied for Ekimov's appointment to the top spot at Ritual.

FSB Lieutenant General Alexey Dorofeyev, now age 58, graduated from the Leningrad Mechanical Institute, before joining the KGB and working in city-level state security departments in Leningrad and then (after the city was renamed) St. Petersburg. In 2005, he took over the FSB's office in Karelia. According to reports in the news media, Dorofeyev was removed from this post following deadly ethnic clashes in Kondopoga in August 2006, but he soon made it to Moscow. From 2010 to 2012, he managed the FSB's Department "M," which subsequently carried out the operation to break up GUEBiPK. In 2012, Dorofeyev was put in charge of the FSB's Chief Directorate for the Moscow metropolitan area.

Another source in law enforcement (an officer at one of Russia's intelligence agencies who is personally acquainted with Marat Medoev) confirmed that Lieutenant General Dorofeyev was behind Artyom Ekimov's appointment to Ritual, saying that Ekimov was considered "Dorofeyev's man."

The same source describes Dorofeyev as a kind of "demigod." "He's a lieutenant general with an office and a sunroom. Not every boss from 'Detsky Mir' can get an audience with him," source says, referring to the children's retail store across the street from the FSB's headquarters at Lubyanka Square in Moscow.

Thirty-seven-year-old Marat Medoev (whom a source close to Sugrobov identified

as Artyom Ekimov's friend) is Alexey Dorofeyev's closest assistant, managing a group in the FSB Chief Directorate that Dorofeyev supervises. Medoev was born in St. Petersburg, but he's lived in Moscow since at least the early 2000s, and he worked in the FSB's Criminal Investigations Directorate until 2012. Officially, he's never been an entrepreneur, but he has an unusual habit of buying expensive cars and motorcycles. In 2012, Medoev bought a new BMW X5 Drive, which he then sold to a man named Valery Bolshakov, according to anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny. It has learned that Valery Bolshakov manages the Transport Services Department at Ritual.

When reached by telephone, Bolshakov declined to comment and hung up. His son, Alexander, told that his father doesn't know Marat Medoev, claiming that he bought the BMW through an advertisement. Alexander Bolshakov, however, is close friends with the Medoevs and Mazarakis, and often spends time with members of the two families. Valerian Mazaraki and Marat Medoev's wife, Natalia, even attended Bolshakov Jr.'s wedding at the Moscow nightclub "Soho Rooms."

Medoev and Dorofeyev have been acquainted since at least the early 2010s. The source (who knows Medoev personally) calls him Dorofeyev's "right hand" and "the man who carries out all his orders." "If an assignment comes from [Medoev], it means it comes from his boss and everyone knows you'd better hop to," source says, confirming that officers in the FSB are directly connected to the municipal enterprise Ritual. This includes Marat Medoev, he says, who "sometimes resolves unpleasant situations for Ritual" encountered by the company's staff.

Ritual director Artyom Ekimov initially offered to meet with the journalists who wrote report, but at the last minute he postponed the meeting indefinitely, "due to the complexity of the subject," and has not responded to questions by the time of this writing.

PART 7

Bad Company

In February 2018, the Moscow nightclub "Soho Rooms" hosted a birthday party for Lev Mazaraki's wife, Anastasia, who is known for owning one of the most expensive cars in all of Moscow: an orange Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 sports car, worth at least 23.7 million rubles ($374,700). The party was "Great Gatsby" themed, and Ritual director Artyom Ekimov was one of the guests.

The Mazaraki family also frequently spends time with the Medoevs. In May 2019, for example, Natalia Medoeva (Marat's wife) celebrated her birthday at the restaurant "Podmoskovnye Vechera" (Moscow Evenings), located in Moscow's prestigious Rublyovka suburb. The party's guests included Anastasia Mazaraki and Maya Ovsyannikova, Marat Medoev's younger sister. The event was titled "Evening Natasha," and it was hosted by late night television star Ivan Urgant, with live music by the Russian band Diskoteka Avariya. The sources estimate that the affair cost between 18 and 20 million rubles ($285,390 and $317,100). The event agency responsible for organizing Medoeva's party, "Safit Event," also staged Anastasia Mazaraki's "Agent Provocateur" themed birthday party in February 2019, which was attended by Elda Medoeva, Marat's sister.

The nightclub Soho Rooms is owned by Lev and Anastasia's 19-year-old son, Egor, who got into the club-restaurant business after buying several establishments at Moscow's "Trekhgornaya Manufactory," including the "Hooligan Moscow" club (previously owned by Denis Simachev and Andrey Kobzon), the "Blacksmith" Irish pub, and the "Jagger Hall" banquet hall. Egor Mazaraki also owns the "20/15" barbershop and the "Shaika-Leika" (Bad Company) sauna complex.

The Mazarakis' entertainment business is managed by Igor Nelyubov, who previously headed the "Krasnaya Shapochka" (Little Red Riding Hood) strip club, before working as CEO of the mortuary "First Ritual Company." Nelyubov also manages several other companies owned by Vycheslav Martynenko, the Mazarakis' family friend who once headed the Stavropol group "The Committee for Civic Resistance to Violations of Discipline and Lawfulness of Law-Enforcement Agencies' Actions." After following the Mazarakis to Moscow, Martynenko also became a co-owner of several popular local establishments, including the "Konstruktor" and "Mix" nightclubs and the "Mir" banquet hall, which is located in the building that houses the well-known movie theater by the same name.

In late 2018, Martynenko acquired yet another business, and it won a procurement deal for exclusive trading rights at the subway stations in central Moscow. Shortly before this contract was signed, the job of deputy director of the city's Transportation Department, which oversees the subway system, was given to former Ritual deputy director Alexander Garakoev (a reserve FSB colonel and the same former head of security at Ritual who refused to support "Khimki's" Yuri Chabuev in the showdown at Khovanskoye Cemetery).

One of Marat Medoev's in-laws, Yuri Ovsyannikov, used to work in Moscow's transportation industry, managing the Moscow Road Inspection Administration (MADI), which rented office space on Kazakova Street from a firm owned by Marat Medoev's father, Igor. The facility used to be home to the central office of "Arks-Bank," which was implicated in a major scandal in 2016, when regulators discovered, after the bank lost its license, that almost 90 percent of its deposits (roughly 35.1 billion rubles, or $555.8 million) were left off the balance sheet and withdrawn.

Igor Medoev is close friends with "Magnitsky List" designee and FSB general Viktor Voronin, who led the agency's Department "K" until 2016 and oversaw the banking sector, two sources who know Igor Medoev told. Bank owners repeatedly accused Voronin of trying to seize their assets illegally. In May 2011, banker Alexander Lebedev published an open letter where he said several of Voronin's subordinates are guilty of rent-seeking behavior, writing that they "confuse their own wool with the state's." Alexey Dorofeyev is also well-acquainted with Viktor Voronin. In the late 2000s, for example, they often sat next to each other on flights from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and both men managed the FSB's Economic Security Service from 2010 to 2012.

Before retiring, Igor Medoev served in the FSB's North Ossetia branch, and after 2001, he became an adviser to Anatoly Serdyukov in the Federal Tax Service and then the Defense Ministry. While at the Defense Ministry, Medoev was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation honorary title, but he ultimately lost his job by order of Dmitry Medvedev when Serdyukov was fired. Igor Medoev lives in Slovakia today, near several people connected to the company "Faraday," the main supplier of footwear to Russia's Interior Ministry, National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and FSB.

One of Serdyukov's other former advisers was Sergey Korolev, who was appointed in 2016 to manage the FSB's Economic Security Service. Korolev is Mara Medoev's godfather, according to "Novaya Gazeta" and confirmed by sources close to the Interior Ministry. The sources in the FSB say Marat Medoev used his father's connections to become an adviser to Alexey Dorofeyev.

Igor Medoev did not respond to telephone calls or messages on WhatsApp. The FSB's public relations center and the FSB's bureaus in Moscow and the Moscow region did not respond to requests for comments about Marat Medoev and Alexey Dorofeyev.

PART 8

Neighbors

In the early 2010s, Marat Medoev received a plot of land in the non-commercial cottage partnership "Dacha Ostrovok" (Cottage Island), where his neighbors included Alexey Dorofeyev, FSB General Oleg Feoktistov (in 2017, working as a vice president at Rosneft, he oversaw the operation to arrest Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev), FSB Control Service head Vladimir Kryuchkov, former Federal Customs Service deputy director Igor Zavrazhnov, and Konstantin Gavrikov, the deputy head of the FSB's Department "K," which monitors the banking sector.

The Medoevs and Dorofeyevs own adjacent property in another villa community, as well, at "Lesnaya Bukhta" (Forest Cove), located about 40 minutes from Dacha Ostrovok, near the shore of the Istrinskoye Reservoir. According to the Unified State Register of Taxpayers, Igor Medoev borrowed 119 million rubles ($1.9 million) in April 2012 from the bank "Strategy" in order to buy the real estate. Curiously, a month before this loan was issued, law-enforcement agencies raided the same bank and seized documents in a case related to the illegal withdrawal of 20-25 billion rubles ($317-397 million) abroad. The bank was never prosecuted, though regulators later revoked its license after repeatedly catching it in noncompliance with laws against money laundering.

In 2015, Alexey Dorofeyev bought the plot next to Igor Medoev's in the Lesnaya Bukhta community (the current owner is registered as the private organization "Russian Federation"). Two years later, on the exact same day, they both registered their new homes on that land. Aerial footage recorded by "Novaya Gazeta" shows that there's no fence between the two properties. In the summer of 2018, Anastasia Mazaraki bought neighboring real estate.

In the spring of 2018, Anastasia Mazaraki (Lev's wife) bought a plot of land next to the real estate owned by Alexey Dorofeyev and Igor Medoev. On June 21, 2019, the website PASMI.ru reported that the Mazaraki family is also building an estate outside Moscow in Barvikha. Journalists estimate that the property is worth roughly 3 billion rubles ($47.7 million).

The Mazaraki and Medoev families might also be acquainted. Their mansions at Lesnaya Bukhta are side by side, practically forming a separate street. On this same road, one of the homes once belonged to Igor Medoev's daughter (and Marat Medoev's sister), Elda, but she sold the property in 2018. According to records from the State Registration Federal Agency, accessed on June 12, 2019, the land was sold to a private organization called "Russian Federation," but earlier files indicate that she sold her home to "Boris Sergeevich Korolev," whose name matches the son of Sergey Korolev, the head of the FSB's Economic Security Service, who began his career in the agency's St. Petersburg branch, like Alexey Dorofeyev. A source who knows the Medoevs confirmed that the son of a high-ranking FSB officer did in fact buy Elda Medoeva's old home. Elda Medoeva refused to answer questions.

This real estate outside Moscow isn't the only example of land previously registered to the Korolev family suddenly showing up as property of "Russian Federation." Since the early 1990s, Sergey Korolev's family has been registered in a government apartment in northwestern St. Petersburg. State Registration Agency records show that the deed on the home was transferred to "citizens" in July 2018. Instead of indicating individuals as the new owners, however, the transcripts identify the same "Russian Federation," stating shared ownership.

In June 2019, "Russian Federation" also became the owner of Alexey Dorofeyev's mansion at Lesnaya Bukhta.

In late 2018, Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyev replaced the agency that oversees the region's funeral business, shifting the responsibility from the Consumer Market Ministry to Roman Karataev's Main Directorate of Regional Security. Before coming to the Moscow regional government, Karataev worked in the FSB's Department "M," serving while Alexey Dorofeyev managed the department.

Dmitry Evtushenko was appointed Karataev's deputy and tasked with overseeing the funeral industry. Evtushenko previously worked for the regional government in the Stavropol region, the Mazaraki brothers' homeland. Evtushenko also managed a Stavropol company that employed Sergey Selyukov, the director of a Ritual Moscow subdivision that's been linked to schemes to withdraw money from several local banks. Roman Karataev refused to answer questions over the telephone, saying journalists should schedule an appointment with him.

In December 2018, regional authorities outside the capital established a structure similar to the Moscow municipal enterprise Ritual, launching the municipal enterprise "Memorial Services Center," which will take control over the region's funeral business. The new outfit is headed by Nikolai Kazakov, the co-founder of the "All-Russian Cheerleading Federation," who previously managed a funeral service in Khimki. Today, judging by state procurement orders, the new municipal enterprise is buying furniture, office supplies, and renting office space in cities outside Moscow.

A source in the region's funeral business told that new people have already seized control of four districts: Krasnogorsk, Leninsky, Khimki, and Domodedovo. According to source, most of the cemeteries in these districts are being reclassified as "closed," which prohibits new burials, thus "creating a shortage and increasing the size of bribes for allocating space for graves."

Additional reporting and fact-checking: BBC Russian Service: Andrey Zakharov and Svetlana Reiter; "RBC": Maxim Solopov; "Vedomosti": Anastasia Yakoreva and Bela Lyauv; Fontanka.ru: Yulia Nikitina; The Bell: Irina Pankratova, Alexandra Prokopenko, Anastasia Stognei, and Irina Malkova; "Forbes": Maria Abakumova and Sergey Titov; OCCRP / "Novaya Gazeta": Roman Shleinov, Irina Dolinina, Alesya Marokhovskaya, and Olesya Shmagun; and Lorem Ipsum Corp.: Alexander Gorbachev

Wilma Tillman

[rmlnoww]

Bad company

How businessmen from southern Russia seized control of Moscow's funeral industry, and who helped them do it.

In May 2016, bullets flew at Moscow's Khovanskoye Cemetery as upwards of 400 men fought over the graveyard, resulting in three deaths. The violence meant the end of an era in the capital's funeral business, completing the redistribution of the industry. Those in control until then hailed from the town of Khimki, just outside Moscow, and it was their efforts to maintain a foothold in the city that led to the clash at Khovanskoye.

After the bloodshed, however, businessmen from the Stavropol region with connections to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) took over virtually every cemetery in Moscow. Ivan Golunov, a special correspondent in Investigations Department, explains the origins of the Moscow funeral industry's new beneficiaries and looks at the figures likely responsible for their rise. To bring this story together, following Golunov's arrest in June 2019,worked with a dozen journalists at the leading Russian news publications "Forbes", The Bell, "Vedomosti", "Novaya Gazeta", "RBC", BBC Russian Service, and Fontanka.

The nuts and bolts of this report, broken down into three main points

Earlier in this decade, a group of men who graduated from the same military engineering academy gained control over the funeral business in Khimki, a town outside Moscow, and then briefly expanded that network into the capital's municipal funeral enterprise "Ritual." Relying on tactics that sometimes left opponents crippled or killed, Yuri Chabuev hired allies to key positions around the city, before a rival group from the Stavropol region managed to force out the Khimki crowd.

The new titans of Moscow's funeral business - entrepreneurs from Stavropol - owned a variety of companies back home before colonizing the capital's market. Several important bankers also left Stavropol for Moscow, and has discovered links between these figures and multiple high-ranking FSB officials. In addition to competition over cemeteries and funeral services, units in the Interior Ministry and FSB have fought for control over Russia's banking sector, where shell companies are frequently used to disappear large sums of money.

It has uncovered considerable evidence of suspicious personal ties between shady bankers from Stavropol and senior officers in Russia's Federal Security Service, including several mansions outside Moscow that have mysteriously been transferred to the ownership of a private organization called "Russian Federation."

PART 1

The mass grave

In November 2008, Mikhail Beketov was attacked and brutally beaten. He spent the next 18 months in hospitals, where doctors removed the shattered skull fragments that pierced his brain and amputated his right foot and three fingers on his left hand. He spent the rest of his short life confined to a wheelchair, barely able to speak. Five years later, Beketov died.

The journalist's assailants were never identified. Beketov suggested that Khimki Mayor Yuri Korablin may have been behind the attack. Several months earlier, he had started receiving threats, and in 2007 someone set fire to his car. Beketov said the intimidation was linked to his critical news reporting about construction projects approved by the city.

From 1994 to 2001, Mikhail Beketov served as the press secretary for Khimki Mayor Yuri Korablin. After leaving office, he used his own resources to launch "Khimkinskaya Pravda", an opposition newspaper that was highly critical of the city's new mayor, Vladimir Strelchenko. Beginning in 2007, "Khimkinskaya Pravda" covered various local conflicts, including the battle to preserve the Khimki Forest. The newspaper made a name for itself with a series of articles about the reburial of the remains of six military pilots from a mass grave located in a public square near the Leningrad Highway.

The authorities in Khimki justified the mass grave's relocation as necessary for the expansion of the Leningradskoye Highway (though journalists also reported that officials were concerned about prostitutes working in the same public square, supposedly "defiling the memory of Russia's fallen war heroes"). Local activists argued that the pilots' remains were moved to free up land for the construction of a new shopping center. After reporting by "Khimkinskaya Pravda", national TV networks and other activists started paying attention to the story about the mass grave.

Mikhail Beketov wrote that tractors were used to pull up the soldiers' graves, and the men's bones were tossed into plastic bags. Some of the remains were apparently lost. On network television, Beketov shared photographs he'd taken at the former site of the mass grave, showing what appeared to be human bones lying around. Because of the newspaper's coverage, and because Beketov accused him of destroying his car, Mayor Strelchenko filed a defamation lawsuit against "Khimkinskaya Pravda"'s founder.

Today, business centers occupy the forested space for which Beketov gave his life. After the public controversy, however, Khimki's authorities stopped short of building up the territory completely (though the land was already demarcated on the city's estate map), and officials limited development to the roadside area. A year after the pilots were reburied, a business center was built a few hundred yards from the former site of the mass grave. The building belongs to Evgeny Golovkin, the son of Nikolai Golovkin, who managed Moscow's Main Internal Affairs Directorate from 2001 to 2014. The companies that eventually took up residence at Golovkin's business center include several businesses then owned by the wife of Vyacheslav Nyrkov, the head of "Ritual-Khimki" (the enterprise that was responsible for reburying the pilots).

PART 2

Classmates

A military engineer by training, Nyrkov fit in well with the administration of Mayor Strelchenko, who is himself an ex-military man, having served as deputy commander of Russia's Kantemirovskaya Division. Retired soldiers comprised a significant part of Strelchenko's team. The scandal over the mass grave in Khimki was Nyrkov's first experience in resolving a conflict with local residents. Before taking over the municipal funeral enterprise, he was course director at the Emergency Situations Ministry's Civil Defense Academy, which is located on Khimki's outskirts. This is when he gave his first interview to the press, saying that hazing at the academy was being eradicated with the help of an "honor roll."

During the conflict over the mass grave, Nyrkov told journalists that the pilots' remains were placed in pathoanatomical bags, which were black and could be mistaken for trash bags, while surgeons from the local hospital monitored the excavation work. He said the bones in Beketov's photos were likely dragged there by stray dogs, or maybe the activists themselves planted them at the site.

Having successfully managed the pilots' reburial, Nyrkov was promoted in 2009 and made the head of Khimki's Podrezkovo Microdistrict, and later put in charge of the town's entire construction industry. In his role as supervisor of the city's construction business, Vyacheslav Nyrkov is best remembered for his efforts to legalize infill development. These projects often ran into opposition from local residents, and it was always up to Nyrkov to resolve the disputes.

The construction sector in Khimki has all the same advantages as Khimki's funeral industry - it's nearly Moscow, only cheaper. Now supervising Khimki's construction industry, Nyrkov maintained his influence on the city's funeral business. In 2009, he invited Yuri Chabuev, his old classmate at the Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy in Volgograd, to head Ritual-Khimki. Together, the two men created several companies that earned money on funeral services, construction work, and garbage disposal. Meanwhile, small shopping centers and stores owned by the wives of Nyrkov and Chabuev started appearing in Podrezkovo.

Nyrkov and Chabuev's mortuary followed a simple business model: Ritual-Khimki had staff at morgues throughout the city, but the contracts these representatives negotiated with clients were with the private company owned by the two state officials. In his hometown outside Penza, Chabuev set up a company that manufactured coffins and funeral accessories. A company owned by Nyrkov's wife also built a columbarium at Khimki's Novoluzhinskoe Cemetery, and planned to construct a crematorium and a new cemetery at the site of the city's "Levoberezhny" solid waste landfill.

Together with the wife of Yuri Shnaider (another Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy alumnus), Narykov and Chabuev created the company "Clean City," which offered waste-disposal services to businesses in Khimki.

Beginning in the early 2010s, representatives of the public organization "Zdorovaya Natsiya" (Healthy Nation) and the motorcycle group "Nochnye Volki Khimki" (Khimki Night Wolves) started joining Narykov at local protestsagainst infill development. These newcomers supported the construction companies and sometimes used force to disperse crowds of demonstrators. Nyrkov co-owned a local branch of the group, which was permitted for office space at a Khimki shopping center owned by Narykov and Chabuev. Zdorovaya Natsiya was registered at the office address of Ritual-Khimki, located at the premises of a pharmacy owned by the Khimki City Council deputy who chairs the legislature's House and Communal Services Committee.

In 2010, amid a conflict over another construction site, environmentalist Konstantin Fetisov was beaten up. Police arrested the assailants and the man who ordered the attack, who turned out to be Khimki Municipal Property Department head Andrey Chernyshev, Nyrkov's colleague who worked under Alexey Valov, one of Mayor Strelchenko's staff (before joining Khimki City Hall, Valov commanded a military unit stationed near the Kantemirovskaya Division). Chernyshev was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison. In court, the defendants said they were only doing Valov's bidding, but this testimony led to no further developments in the case.

In 2012, shortly after the conflict over the construction of a highway through Khimki Forest, Vladimir Strelchenko was dismissed. Two years later, Alexey Valov was put in charge of the Moscow region's Shchyolkovsky District.

PART 3

From Khimki to Khovanskoye

In 2013, Yuri Chabuev started a new job in Moscow as the head of the No. 3 Territorial Branch of Funeral Services (TORO; at that time, the term "funeral services complex," or KRO, was in use) of the municipal enterprise "Ritual," which operated at Khovanskoye, Vostryakovskoye, and several other major cemeteries. The Ritual-Khimki director position went to Pyotr Levchenko, another Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy classmate.

Two years later, No. 3 TORO's jurisdiction was expanded to include several old cemeteries, among which were Troyekurovskoye, Vagankovo, and Novodevichy, making it Ritual's largest subdivision. Chabuev now had 31 cemeteries under his control, including the capital's most prestigious graveyards. Yuri Shnaider, Chabuev's old classmate and business partner at "Clean City," was soon put in charge of No. 5 TORO, which managed several major cemeteries south of Moscow: Shcherbinskoye, Domodedovskoye, and Kotlyakovskoye. This is how the Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy graduates expanded their influence over Moscow's best cemeteries.

The partners' revenue shot through the roof, and Chabuev's hometown funeral-goods manufacturing business took off. No. 3 TORO started rentingequipment from Chabuev's wife, who opened a restaurant called "Serbia" in the "Romanov Dvor," one of the capital's most expensive business Centers (located just a few hundred yards from the Kremlin).

The most notorious incident associated with Yuri Chabuev's reign over Moscow's funeral industry is the violence at Khovanskoye Cemetery that claimed three lives in May 2016. The fight included members of Zdorovaya Natsiya, who'd previously helped disperse protests against infill construction. This group included men from Chechnya and several police officers. One of the co-founders was Alexander Bocharnikov, the son-in-law of Mikhail Portashnikov, the former deputy head of Moscow's traffic police.

By many accounts, the conflict itself only started when Yuri Chabuev tried to increase the amounts of money he extorted from the cemetery's Tajik groundskeepers.

Immigrants from Tajikistan comprise a significant part of the labor force at Moscow's cemeteries, keeping the grounds clean and maintained. It has learned that almost all of these workers are from the same "local council" (uniting several villages) in Obigarm, in Tajikistan's Roghun District. Some of these immigrants are legally employed in Moscow, while others are not, but everyone pays a "deduction" to their cemetery's administrators for the chance to work for them. For a long time, this revenue item was so insignificantly small for funeral business executives that they ignored it almost completely. This neglect allowed migrant workers to save their money and begin to expand their sphere of activity. By 2016 at Khovanskoye and Perepechinskoye cemeteries, for instance, they opened their own official headstone workshops. Chabuev decided to take control of this business.

According to the testimony from workers at Khovanskoye Cemetery, Yuri Chabuev invited them to transfer their official and unofficial businesses to his people and continue their ordinary wage labor. The Tajiks refused, and Chabuev resorted to his old tactics from Khimki, calling in Zdorovaya Natsiya.

The young men from Zdorovaya Natsiya arrived at Khovanskoye Cemetery in the spring of 2016, during peak season for burial services, when headstones are going up and graves are getting routine maintenance. Rolling in on motor scooters, they proceeded to "inspect" the premises, expelling the Tajik workers from the cemetery grounds.

On May 14, the first weekend after Russia's long spring holidays, a mass brawl of 200 to 400 men broke out between the Zdorovaya Natsiya members and Khovanskoye Cemetery's Tajik laborers. Far outnumbered, Zdorovaya Natsiya opened fire. The shooting ended as soon as the riot police showed up. Three people died in the skirmish, and more than 30 were seriously injured, including some bystanders who were only visiting the cemetery.

In November 2018, a court convicted Yuri Chabuev of organizing the violence and sentenced him to 11 years at a maximum-security prison. One of the fight's other organizers, Zdorovaya Natsiya co-founder Alexander Bocharnikov, was given nine years. Another 13 men who took part in the brawl were sent to prison for between 3.5 and 11.5 years. Officials also arrested hundreds of Tajik nationals, deporting some, placing others under administrative arrest for 15 days, and sentencing another five men to three years in prison.

During the trial, Chabuev said he repeatedly warned Ritual's then deputy head of security, Alexander Garakoev, about the situation at Khovanskoye Cemetery, but Garakoev did nothing to prevent the conflict, Chabuev claimed, and the private security guards stationed at the graveyard were even ordered not to intervene in the fight. In the 1990s, Garakoev served in Tajikistan, and he came to Ritual from a position in the FSB Border Guard Troops, where he was the head of a logistics base in Stavropol.

After Chabuev's arrest and the dismissal of his friends from Ritual, almost all of Moscow's cemeteries fell under the control of men hailing from southern Russia in the Stavropol region.

PART 4

The boys from Stavropol

According to Moscow's Commerce and Services Department, the city's funeral industry does at least 14 billion rubles ($222.1 million) in business every year. At the same time, based on official data for the past three years, the municipal enterprise Ritual earned between 1.7 and 3 billion rubles ($27 million and $47.6 million) on paid services each year.

The funeral business is a reliable source of cash, an industry insider told. Companies can earn money under the table by preparing bodies for burial, selling plots at cemeteries, digging and maintaining graves, and organizing funerals. Three sources who spoke to estimate that the annual volume of "shadow cash" generated by Moscow's funeral-services industry is between 12 and 14 billion rubles ($190.4 and $223 million).

The redistribution of Moscow's funeral-services market began even before the shootout at Khovanskoye Cemetery, with the appointment in 2015 of Ritual's new director, Artyom Ekimov, the former senior criminal investigator at the Interior Ministry's Anti-Corruption and Economic Security head office (GUEBiPK). According to sources in the Moscow government, hiring Ekimov was part of an effort to clean up the city's funeral market, and officials hoped his experience in the Interior Ministry would help him get the job done.

A series of police raids against influential executives at Ritual preceded Ekimov's appointment, and several people were charged with bribery. A few weeks before Ekimov started on the job, officers from the Moscow police's Economic Security Department arrested former Samara Regional Duma deputy Dmitry Anishchenko, who allegedly promised to help appoint a certain businessman to take over Ritual for a fee of 2 million euros ($2.3 million). Anishchenko was sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempted fraud. A former GUEBiPK officer told that Ekimov handled some of the criminal intelligence work on that case.

In early 2015, Ekimov's tenure at Ritual began, and he started gradually replacing the top administrators at various cemeteries with his own people. At first, these changes left Yuri Chabuev's sphere of influence virtually untouched. After the violence at Khovanskoye, however, Ritual executives decided to put their house in order, and they soon replaced the top administrators at almost all of the city's cemeteries and crematoriums. The replacements Ekimov hired often had no experience in the funeral business. They had something else in common, too: they all hailed from the Stavropol region.

With these personnel changes, Ritual-Moscow welcomed Valerian Mazaraki (who previously owned an alcohol business) as Ekimov's first deputy; Roman Molotkov, the owner of several restaurants in Stavropol and a member of the Stavropol rap group "Krestnaya Semya" (Godfather Family); Albert Utakaev, the former head of the FSB Border Guard troops in Karachay-Cherkessia and later the assistant manager of the State Registration Federal Agency's Moscow branch; Yuri Kushnir, who previously managed a car dealership and worked as a bartender on the "Bryusov" diesel boat; and a dozen more people.

There's only one part of Ritual not in the hands of the Stavropol group

The only sphere of Ritual not managed by people from the Stavropol region is the company's Major Sites and Services branch, which is headed by Nikolai Pyshkin, Oleg Semenov, and Vladislav Petrashev, who used to work together at a housing and public utilities enterprise in eastern Moscow. From 2010 to 2012, Pyshkin served as the head of the Izmailovo District, and Semenov managed a local utility service. In Moscow's Eastern Administrative Okrug, a company called "Gamma" was hired for nearly 220 million rubles ($3.5 million) to provide services at utilities at Moscow's cemeteries, becoming the biggest contractor in the area. The business belongs to Ruslan Pikalov, who also owns the company "Axiom," which won similarly lucrative contractsbetween 2010 and 2015 to carry out work in the Izmailovo District, where the largest contractors are the firms "Accord" and "Atlas." For several years, these two companies - both of which were owned by Pavel Radchenko - received more than a billion rubles ($15.8 million) from the district's public budget. In 2014, after Pyshkin stepped down as the head of Izmailovo, Accord and Atlas stopped bidding on procurement deals in the area, but they later won several contracts with Ritual. Radchenko's eternal rival in Izmailovo was "Helios" LLC, which belongs to a businessman from Zelenograd named Andrey Pak. Curiously, Pak co-owns the company "Danlux" LLC with Oleg Semenov's wife, Olga Glozman.The new leadership at Moscow's cemeteries led to changes in the graveyards' security contracts as well, with the "Alpha-Horse" private security company supplanting multiple other firms. The business belongs to 28-year-old Emilia Leshkevich, who also owns a crafts store in Perm. Leshkevich is a relative of Anastasia Mazaraki, the wife of Lev Mazaraki, the brother of Ritual's first deputy general director.

Six months after the fight at the Khovanskoye Cemetery, Leshkevich foundedthe "First Ritual Company," which then bought several dozen hearses, and subsequently won several public contracts with Ritual to provide transportation services. Leshkevich's partner in this business is a man named Sardal Umalatov, who in January 2019 became the co-owner of another Moscow mortuary called "Grail."

Umalatov's father was the head of the Chechen Parlimaent's Oil Industry Committee under breakaway leader Dzhokhar Dudayev. In the early 2000s, 23-year-old Sardal Umalatov appeared in news stories when his Bentley was set on fire. In 2017, Umalatov's brother was killed in a shootout between minibus drivers competing over the same route. To service that route, Moscow regional officials had hired the carrier "Trans-Road," which journalists have tied to Alexander Kolokoltsev, the son of Russia's interior minister. Sardal Umalatov co-owns several businesses with Alexander Kolokoltsev. The newspaper "Vedomosti" previously tied Minister Kolokoltsev's son to multiple minibus shuttle services that have received multi-billion-ruble passenger-service contracts from Moscow's Transportation Department.

Writing on behalf of the interior minister, an assistant named Irina Volk told that Alexander Kolokoltsev has never had any ties to the funeral business, and said his father is unaware of any illegal commercial activities committed by his son. Emilia Leshkevich told that she refuses to comment on these matters. Alexander Kolokoltsev did not respond to a letter from, and Moscow's Commerce Department ignored journalists' inquiries.

PART 5

The bankers

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the brothers Lev and Valerian Mazaraki lived and managed businesses in Stavropol, occasionally appearing in various scandals, particularly in relation to their alcohol manufacturing company "Alliance," which federal regulators repeatedly caught selling spirits of unknown origin. The brothers also owned several stores and entertainment venues where questionable alcohol was reportedly discovered. In 2007, Valerian Mazaraki founded the pyramid scheme "Vremya Dokhoda" (Income Time), which was quickly shut down after the company used an image of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in its advertising.

From 2007 to 2012, Lev Mazaraki managed the North Caucasus branch of "SG-Trans" (one of the country's biggest railway operators for transporting oil and gas cargo). He also owned "SG-Trade," which provided various services to SG-Trans. For example, the railway operator signed over a number of tanker cars that went missing a few years later - just as SG-Trade advertised onlinethat it was selling a supply of railway tanker cars. Several current cemetery supervisors are linked to this story.

In the early 2010s, the Mazaraki brothers sold Alliance and moved to Moscow, leaving the alcohol business for the banking industry. Together with some of their friends, they bought and managed Social Economic Bank, National Development Bank, Mast-Bank, and Vestinterbank (see table).

A common thread unites these institutions: shortly after the arrival of Mazaraki-linked managers, Russia's Central Bank revoked the licenses of each of these banks for violating laws against money laundering, and officials later discovered that some of the banks' assets had been siphoned off. According to the Central Bank, the Stavropol-based Social Economic Bank couldn't account for 1.1 billion rubles ($17.4 million) after losing its license, the National Development Bank was missing 13 billion rubles ($205.7 million), Mast-Bank couldn't find 6.8 billion rubles ($107.6 million), and the small Vestinterbank lost a mere 386 million rubles ($6.1 million). Lev Mazaraki shared a seat on Vestinterbank's board of directors with former state security officer Nikolai Dorofeyev. Two sources in the funeral business who spoke to say they suspect this man is related to Alexey Dorofeyev, the head of the Moscow FSB Directorate, though was unable to find documentary evidence verifying this. Nikolai Dorofeyev did not respond to a letter from, and he could not be reached by telephone. Alexey Dorofeyev did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

According to the Central Bank, the funds withdrawn from the banks were routed through loans issued mostly to shell companies, but in some cases, the money reached familiar companies. For example, shortly before the National Development Bank lost its license, a loan of 30 million rubles ($474,600) was issued to Lev Mazaraki's SG-Trade (the same company that lost the railway tanker cars). The company soon folded.

Most of the staff involved in these schemes moved from bank to bank. For instance, Stavropol native Sergey Selyukov was a shareholder at Social Economic Bank and later managed satellite offices at the National Development Bank and Mast-Bank. Between 2015 and 2016, he supervised one of Ritual's local subdivisions in Moscow, and in the spring of 2017 he took over the Moscow office of a small bank called "Sputnik," which was registered in Samara.

In 2017, Sputnik was acquired by a group of people previously employed at Social Economic Bank and other failed financial institutions. Shortly thereafter, Sputnik launched a Moscow branch and opened cash-transaction services desks at the "Dubrovka" and "Food City" shopping centers and the "Mosvka" marketplace. Despite the large cash flows at these venues, few banks operate here. Before it lost its license, Mast-Bank (which also has ties to Stavropol financiers) was one of the biggest institutions present at these marketplaces. It has learned that Sputnik's marketplace services desks opened in the same premises previously occupied by Mast-Bank.

In March 2019, police officers raided the "Sadovod," "Food City," and "Mosvka" marketplaces, completely shutting down all operations. Not long afterwards, Sputnik closed all its marketplace services desks.

Lev and Valerian Mazaraki could not be reached by telephone. Valerian did not respond to a letter from addressed to his name, sent to Ritual's press service, and Lev did not answer questions sent to him over Facebook Messenger.

PART 6

The FSB and Friends

Artyom Ekimov - the man who made Valerian Mazaraki his deputy and staffed Moscow's territorial funeral services departments with fellow Stavropol natives - took charge of Ritual literally just a few days before federal agents carried out a special operation against his former place of work. As a result of that police bust, the entire leadership of the Interior Ministry's Anti-Corruption and Economic Security head office (GUEBiPK) ended up in Prison.

The reason for the police action was an earlier sting operation staged by GUEBiPK officers to try to catch Igor Demin, the deputy director of the FSB's Internal Security 6th Service, in the process of accepting a bribe. Afterwards, seven GUEBiPK staff, including department head Denis Sugrobov, were charged with abuse of office and provoking bribery, and later with organizing a criminal association as well. Sugrobov was initially sentenced to 22 years in prison before the term was reduced to 12 years.

It's believed that the Sugrobov case was a response to GUEBiPK's attempts to gain control over the banking sector, which was traditionally supervised by the banking division (Department "K") of the FSB's Economic Security Service.

Denis Sugrobov knew about Artyom Ekimov's plans to leave the department to work at Ritual, a source close to Sugrobov told. Back in 2013, says source, Sugrobov suggested that Ekimov had been hired as the new head of the Moscow funeral service because he was a "competent guy" and a friend of FSB Lieutenant Colonel Marat Medoev. Sugrobov's contacts in the presidential administration also allegedly informed him that Medoev's superior, Alexey Dorofeyev, directly lobbied for Ekimov's appointment to the top spot at Ritual.

FSB Lieutenant General Alexey Dorofeyev, now age 58, graduated from the Leningrad Mechanical Institute, before joining the KGB and working in city-level state security departments in Leningrad and then (after the city was renamed) St. Petersburg. In 2005, he took over the FSB's office in Karelia. According to reports in the news media, Dorofeyev was removed from this post following deadly ethnic clashes in Kondopoga in August 2006, but he soon made it to Moscow. From 2010 to 2012, he managed the FSB's Department "M," which subsequently carried out the operation to break up GUEBiPK. In 2012, Dorofeyev was put in charge of the FSB's Chief Directorate for the Moscow metropolitan area.

Another source in law enforcement (an officer at one of Russia's intelligence agencies who is personally acquainted with Marat Medoev) confirmed that Lieutenant General Dorofeyev was behind Artyom Ekimov's appointment to Ritual, saying that Ekimov was considered "Dorofeyev's man."

The same source describes Dorofeyev as a kind of "demigod." "He's a lieutenant general with an office and a sunroom. Not every boss from 'Detsky Mir' can get an audience with him," source says, referring to the children's retail store across the street from the FSB's headquarters at Lubyanka Square in Moscow.

Thirty-seven-year-old Marat Medoev (whom a source close to Sugrobov identified

as Artyom Ekimov's friend) is Alexey Dorofeyev's closest assistant, managing a group in the FSB Chief Directorate that Dorofeyev supervises. Medoev was born in St. Petersburg, but he's lived in Moscow since at least the early 2000s, and he worked in the FSB's Criminal Investigations Directorate until 2012. Officially, he's never been an entrepreneur, but he has an unusual habit of buying expensive cars and motorcycles. In 2012, Medoev bought a new BMW X5 Drive, which he then sold to a man named Valery Bolshakov, according to anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny. It has learned that Valery Bolshakov manages the Transport Services Department at Ritual.

When reached by telephone, Bolshakov declined to comment and hung up. His son, Alexander, told that his father doesn't know Marat Medoev, claiming that he bought the BMW through an advertisement. Alexander Bolshakov, however, is close friends with the Medoevs and Mazarakis, and often spends time with members of the two families. Valerian Mazaraki and Marat Medoev's wife, Natalia, even attended Bolshakov Jr.'s wedding at the Moscow nightclub "Soho Rooms."

Medoev and Dorofeyev have been acquainted since at least the early 2010s. The source (who knows Medoev personally) calls him Dorofeyev's "right hand" and "the man who carries out all his orders." "If an assignment comes from [Medoev], it means it comes from his boss and everyone knows you'd better hop to," source says, confirming that officers in the FSB are directly connected to the municipal enterprise Ritual. This includes Marat Medoev, he says, who "sometimes resolves unpleasant situations for Ritual" encountered by the company's staff.

Ritual director Artyom Ekimov initially offered to meet with the journalists who wrote report, but at the last minute he postponed the meeting indefinitely, "due to the complexity of the subject," and has not responded to questions by the time of this writing.

PART 7

Bad Company

In February 2018, the Moscow nightclub "Soho Rooms" hosted a birthday party for Lev Mazaraki's wife, Anastasia, who is known for owning one of the most expensive cars in all of Moscow: an orange Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 sports car, worth at least 23.7 million rubles ($374,700). The party was "Great Gatsby" themed, and Ritual director Artyom Ekimov was one of the guests.

The Mazaraki family also frequently spends time with the Medoevs. In May 2019, for example, Natalia Medoeva (Marat's wife) celebrated her birthday at the restaurant "Podmoskovnye Vechera" (Moscow Evenings), located in Moscow's prestigious Rublyovka suburb. The party's guests included Anastasia Mazaraki and Maya Ovsyannikova, Marat Medoev's younger sister. The event was titled "Evening Natasha," and it was hosted by late night television star Ivan Urgant, with live music by the Russian band Diskoteka Avariya. The sources estimate that the affair cost between 18 and 20 million rubles ($285,390 and $317,100). The event agency responsible for organizing Medoeva's party, "Safit Event," also staged Anastasia Mazaraki's "Agent Provocateur" themed birthday party in February 2019, which was attended by Elda Medoeva, Marat's sister.

The nightclub Soho Rooms is owned by Lev and Anastasia's 19-year-old son, Egor, who got into the club-restaurant business after buying several establishments at Moscow's "Trekhgornaya Manufactory," including the "Hooligan Moscow" club (previously owned by Denis Simachev and Andrey Kobzon), the "Blacksmith" Irish pub, and the "Jagger Hall" banquet hall. Egor Mazaraki also owns the "20/15" barbershop and the "Shaika-Leika" (Bad Company) sauna complex.

The Mazarakis' entertainment business is managed by Igor Nelyubov, who previously headed the "Krasnaya Shapochka" (Little Red Riding Hood) strip club, before working as CEO of the mortuary "First Ritual Company." Nelyubov also manages several other companies owned by Vycheslav Martynenko, the Mazarakis' family friend who once headed the Stavropol group "The Committee for Civic Resistance to Violations of Discipline and Lawfulness of Law-Enforcement Agencies' Actions." After following the Mazarakis to Moscow, Martynenko also became a co-owner of several popular local establishments, including the "Konstruktor" and "Mix" nightclubs and the "Mir" banquet hall, which is located in the building that houses the well-known movie theater by the same name.

In late 2018, Martynenko acquired yet another business, and it won a procurement deal for exclusive trading rights at the subway stations in central Moscow. Shortly before this contract was signed, the job of deputy director of the city's Transportation Department, which oversees the subway system, was given to former Ritual deputy director Alexander Garakoev (a reserve FSB colonel and the same former head of security at Ritual who refused to support "Khimki's" Yuri Chabuev in the showdown at Khovanskoye Cemetery).

One of Marat Medoev's in-laws, Yuri Ovsyannikov, used to work in Moscow's transportation industry, managing the Moscow Road Inspection Administration (MADI), which rented office space on Kazakova Street from a firm owned by Marat Medoev's father, Igor. The facility used to be home to the central office of "Arks-Bank," which was implicated in a major scandal in 2016, when regulators discovered, after the bank lost its license, that almost 90 percent of its deposits (roughly 35.1 billion rubles, or $555.8 million) were left off the balance sheet and withdrawn.

Igor Medoev is close friends with "Magnitsky List" designee and FSB general Viktor Voronin, who led the agency's Department "K" until 2016 and oversaw the banking sector, two sources who know Igor Medoev told. Bank owners repeatedly accused Voronin of trying to seize their assets illegally. In May 2011, banker Alexander Lebedev published an open letter where he said several of Voronin's subordinates are guilty of rent-seeking behavior, writing that they "confuse their own wool with the state's." Alexey Dorofeyev is also well-acquainted with Viktor Voronin. In the late 2000s, for example, they often sat next to each other on flights from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and both men managed the FSB's Economic Security Service from 2010 to 2012.

Before retiring, Igor Medoev served in the FSB's North Ossetia branch, and after 2001, he became an adviser to Anatoly Serdyukov in the Federal Tax Service and then the Defense Ministry. While at the Defense Ministry, Medoev was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation honorary title, but he ultimately lost his job by order of Dmitry Medvedev when Serdyukov was fired. Igor Medoev lives in Slovakia today, near several people connected to the company "Faraday," the main supplier of footwear to Russia's Interior Ministry, National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and FSB.

One of Serdyukov's other former advisers was Sergey Korolev, who was appointed in 2016 to manage the FSB's Economic Security Service. Korolev is Mara Medoev's godfather, according to "Novaya Gazeta" and confirmed by sources close to the Interior Ministry. The sources in the FSB say Marat Medoev used his father's connections to become an adviser to Alexey Dorofeyev.

Igor Medoev did not respond to telephone calls or messages on WhatsApp. The FSB's public relations center and the FSB's bureaus in Moscow and the Moscow region did not respond to requests for comments about Marat Medoev and Alexey Dorofeyev.

PART 8

Neighbors

In the early 2010s, Marat Medoev received a plot of land in the non-commercial cottage partnership "Dacha Ostrovok" (Cottage Island), where his neighbors included Alexey Dorofeyev, FSB General Oleg Feoktistov (in 2017, working as a vice president at Rosneft, he oversaw the operation to arrest Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev), FSB Control Service head Vladimir Kryuchkov, former Federal Customs Service deputy director Igor Zavrazhnov, and Konstantin Gavrikov, the deputy head of the FSB's Department "K," which monitors the banking sector.

The Medoevs and Dorofeyevs own adjacent property in another villa community, as well, at "Lesnaya Bukhta" (Forest Cove), located about 40 minutes from Dacha Ostrovok, near the shore of the Istrinskoye Reservoir. According to the Unified State Register of Taxpayers, Igor Medoev borrowed 119 million rubles ($1.9 million) in April 2012 from the bank "Strategy" in order to buy the real estate. Curiously, a month before this loan was issued, law-enforcement agencies raided the same bank and seized documents in a case related to the illegal withdrawal of 20-25 billion rubles ($317-397 million) abroad. The bank was never prosecuted, though regulators later revoked its license after repeatedly catching it in noncompliance with laws against money laundering.

In 2015, Alexey Dorofeyev bought the plot next to Igor Medoev's in the Lesnaya Bukhta community (the current owner is registered as the private organization "Russian Federation"). Two years later, on the exact same day, they both registered their new homes on that land. Aerial footage recorded by "Novaya Gazeta" shows that there's no fence between the two properties. In the summer of 2018, Anastasia Mazaraki bought neighboring real estate.

In the spring of 2018, Anastasia Mazaraki (Lev's wife) bought a plot of land next to the real estate owned by Alexey Dorofeyev and Igor Medoev. On June 21, 2019, the website PASMI.ru reported that the Mazaraki family is also building an estate outside Moscow in Barvikha. Journalists estimate that the property is worth roughly 3 billion rubles ($47.7 million).

The Mazaraki and Medoev families might also be acquainted. Their mansions at Lesnaya Bukhta are side by side, practically forming a separate street. On this same road, one of the homes once belonged to Igor Medoev's daughter (and Marat Medoev's sister), Elda, but she sold the property in 2018. According to records from the State Registration Federal Agency, accessed on June 12, 2019, the land was sold to a private organization called "Russian Federation," but earlier files indicate that she sold her home to "Boris Sergeevich Korolev," whose name matches the son of Sergey Korolev, the head of the FSB's Economic Security Service, who began his career in the agency's St. Petersburg branch, like Alexey Dorofeyev. A source who knows the Medoevs confirmed that the son of a high-ranking FSB officer did in fact buy Elda Medoeva's old home. Elda Medoeva refused to answer questions.

This real estate outside Moscow isn't the only example of land previously registered to the Korolev family suddenly showing up as property of "Russian Federation." Since the early 1990s, Sergey Korolev's family has been registered in a government apartment in northwestern St. Petersburg. State Registration Agency records show that the deed on the home was transferred to "citizens" in July 2018. Instead of indicating individuals as the new owners, however, the transcripts identify the same "Russian Federation," stating shared ownership.

In June 2019, "Russian Federation" also became the owner of Alexey Dorofeyev's mansion at Lesnaya Bukhta.

In late 2018, Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyev replaced the agency that oversees the region's funeral business, shifting the responsibility from the Consumer Market Ministry to Roman Karataev's Main Directorate of Regional Security. Before coming to the Moscow regional government, Karataev worked in the FSB's Department "M," serving while Alexey Dorofeyev managed the department.

Dmitry Evtushenko was appointed Karataev's deputy and tasked with overseeing the funeral industry. Evtushenko previously worked for the regional government in the Stavropol region, the Mazaraki brothers' homeland. Evtushenko also managed a Stavropol company that employed Sergey Selyukov, the director of a Ritual Moscow subdivision that's been linked to schemes to withdraw money from several local banks. Roman Karataev refused to answer questions over the telephone, saying journalists should schedule an appointment with him.

In December 2018, regional authorities outside the capital established a structure similar to the Moscow municipal enterprise Ritual, launching the municipal enterprise "Memorial Services Center," which will take control over the region's funeral business. The new outfit is headed by Nikolai Kazakov, the co-founder of the "All-Russian Cheerleading Federation," who previously managed a funeral service in Khimki. Today, judging by state procurement orders, the new municipal enterprise is buying furniture, office supplies, and renting office space in cities outside Moscow.

A source in the region's funeral business told that new people have already seized control of four districts: Krasnogorsk, Leninsky, Khimki, and Domodedovo. According to source, most of the cemeteries in these districts are being reclassified as "closed," which prohibits new burials, thus "creating a shortage and increasing the size of bribes for allocating space for graves."

Additional reporting and fact-checking: BBC Russian Service: Andrey Zakharov and Svetlana Reiter; "RBC": Maxim Solopov; "Vedomosti": Anastasia Yakoreva and Bela Lyauv; Fontanka.ru: Yulia Nikitina; The Bell: Irina Pankratova, Alexandra Prokopenko, Anastasia Stognei, and Irina Malkova; "Forbes": Maria Abakumova and Sergey Titov; OCCRP / "Novaya Gazeta": Roman Shleinov, Irina Dolinina, Alesya Marokhovskaya, and Olesya Shmagun; and Lorem Ipsum Corp.: Alexander Gorbachev

Gerald Rasch

[new-timess]

Bad company

How businessmen from southern Russia seized control of Moscow's funeral industry, and who helped them do it.

In May 2016, bullets flew at Moscow's Khovanskoye Cemetery as upwards of 400 men fought over the graveyard, resulting in three deaths. The violence meant the end of an era in the capital's funeral business, completing the redistribution of the industry. Those in control until then hailed from the town of Khimki, just outside Moscow, and it was their efforts to maintain a foothold in the city that led to the clash at Khovanskoye.

After the bloodshed, however, businessmen from the Stavropol region with connections to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) took over virtually every cemetery in Moscow. Ivan Golunov, a special correspondent in Investigations Department, explains the origins of the Moscow funeral industry's new beneficiaries and looks at the figures likely responsible for their rise. To bring this story together, following Golunov's arrest in June 2019,worked with a dozen journalists at the leading Russian news publications "Forbes", The Bell, "Vedomosti", "Novaya Gazeta", "RBC", BBC Russian Service, and Fontanka.

The nuts and bolts of this report, broken down into three main points

Earlier in this decade, a group of men who graduated from the same military engineering academy gained control over the funeral business in Khimki, a town outside Moscow, and then briefly expanded that network into the capital's municipal funeral enterprise "Ritual." Relying on tactics that sometimes left opponents crippled or killed, Yuri Chabuev hired allies to key positions around the city, before a rival group from the Stavropol region managed to force out the Khimki crowd.

The new titans of Moscow's funeral business - entrepreneurs from Stavropol - owned a variety of companies back home before colonizing the capital's market. Several important bankers also left Stavropol for Moscow, and has discovered links between these figures and multiple high-ranking FSB officials. In addition to competition over cemeteries and funeral services, units in the Interior Ministry and FSB have fought for control over Russia's banking sector, where shell companies are frequently used to disappear large sums of money.

It has uncovered considerable evidence of suspicious personal ties between shady bankers from Stavropol and senior officers in Russia's Federal Security Service, including several mansions outside Moscow that have mysteriously been transferred to the ownership of a private organization called "Russian Federation."

PART 1

The mass grave

In November 2008, Mikhail Beketov was attacked and brutally beaten. He spent the next 18 months in hospitals, where doctors removed the shattered skull fragments that pierced his brain and amputated his right foot and three fingers on his left hand. He spent the rest of his short life confined to a wheelchair, barely able to speak. Five years later, Beketov died.

The journalist's assailants were never identified. Beketov suggested that Khimki Mayor Yuri Korablin may have been behind the attack. Several months earlier, he had started receiving threats, and in 2007 someone set fire to his car. Beketov said the intimidation was linked to his critical news reporting about construction projects approved by the city.

From 1994 to 2001, Mikhail Beketov served as the press secretary for Khimki Mayor Yuri Korablin. After leaving office, he used his own resources to launch "Khimkinskaya Pravda", an opposition newspaper that was highly critical of the city's new mayor, Vladimir Strelchenko. Beginning in 2007, "Khimkinskaya Pravda" covered various local conflicts, including the battle to preserve the Khimki Forest. The newspaper made a name for itself with a series of articles about the reburial of the remains of six military pilots from a mass grave located in a public square near the Leningrad Highway.

The authorities in Khimki justified the mass grave's relocation as necessary for the expansion of the Leningradskoye Highway (though journalists also reported that officials were concerned about prostitutes working in the same public square, supposedly "defiling the memory of Russia's fallen war heroes"). Local activists argued that the pilots' remains were moved to free up land for the construction of a new shopping center. After reporting by "Khimkinskaya Pravda", national TV networks and other activists started paying attention to the story about the mass grave.

Mikhail Beketov wrote that tractors were used to pull up the soldiers' graves, and the men's bones were tossed into plastic bags. Some of the remains were apparently lost. On network television, Beketov shared photographs he'd taken at the former site of the mass grave, showing what appeared to be human bones lying around. Because of the newspaper's coverage, and because Beketov accused him of destroying his car, Mayor Strelchenko filed a defamation lawsuit against "Khimkinskaya Pravda"'s founder.

Today, business centers occupy the forested space for which Beketov gave his life. After the public controversy, however, Khimki's authorities stopped short of building up the territory completely (though the land was already demarcated on the city's estate map), and officials limited development to the roadside area. A year after the pilots were reburied, a business center was built a few hundred yards from the former site of the mass grave. The building belongs to Evgeny Golovkin, the son of Nikolai Golovkin, who managed Moscow's Main Internal Affairs Directorate from 2001 to 2014. The companies that eventually took up residence at Golovkin's business center include several businesses then owned by the wife of Vyacheslav Nyrkov, the head of "Ritual-Khimki" (the enterprise that was responsible for reburying the pilots).

PART 2

Classmates

A military engineer by training, Nyrkov fit in well with the administration of Mayor Strelchenko, who is himself an ex-military man, having served as deputy commander of Russia's Kantemirovskaya Division. Retired soldiers comprised a significant part of Strelchenko's team. The scandal over the mass grave in Khimki was Nyrkov's first experience in resolving a conflict with local residents. Before taking over the municipal funeral enterprise, he was course director at the Emergency Situations Ministry's Civil Defense Academy, which is located on Khimki's outskirts. This is when he gave his first interview to the press, saying that hazing at the academy was being eradicated with the help of an "honor roll."

During the conflict over the mass grave, Nyrkov told journalists that the pilots' remains were placed in pathoanatomical bags, which were black and could be mistaken for trash bags, while surgeons from the local hospital monitored the excavation work. He said the bones in Beketov's photos were likely dragged there by stray dogs, or maybe the activists themselves planted them at the site.

Having successfully managed the pilots' reburial, Nyrkov was promoted in 2009 and made the head of Khimki's Podrezkovo Microdistrict, and later put in charge of the town's entire construction industry. In his role as supervisor of the city's construction business, Vyacheslav Nyrkov is best remembered for his efforts to legalize infill development. These projects often ran into opposition from local residents, and it was always up to Nyrkov to resolve the disputes.

The construction sector in Khimki has all the same advantages as Khimki's funeral industry - it's nearly Moscow, only cheaper. Now supervising Khimki's construction industry, Nyrkov maintained his influence on the city's funeral business. In 2009, he invited Yuri Chabuev, his old classmate at the Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy in Volgograd, to head Ritual-Khimki. Together, the two men created several companies that earned money on funeral services, construction work, and garbage disposal. Meanwhile, small shopping centers and stores owned by the wives of Nyrkov and Chabuev started appearing in Podrezkovo.

Nyrkov and Chabuev's mortuary followed a simple business model: Ritual-Khimki had staff at morgues throughout the city, but the contracts these representatives negotiated with clients were with the private company owned by the two state officials. In his hometown outside Penza, Chabuev set up a company that manufactured coffins and funeral accessories. A company owned by Nyrkov's wife also built a columbarium at Khimki's Novoluzhinskoe Cemetery, and planned to construct a crematorium and a new cemetery at the site of the city's "Levoberezhny" solid waste landfill.

Together with the wife of Yuri Shnaider (another Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy alumnus), Narykov and Chabuev created the company "Clean City," which offered waste-disposal services to businesses in Khimki.

Beginning in the early 2010s, representatives of the public organization "Zdorovaya Natsiya" (Healthy Nation) and the motorcycle group "Nochnye Volki Khimki" (Khimki Night Wolves) started joining Narykov at local protestsagainst infill development. These newcomers supported the construction companies and sometimes used force to disperse crowds of demonstrators. Nyrkov co-owned a local branch of the group, which was permitted for office space at a Khimki shopping center owned by Narykov and Chabuev. Zdorovaya Natsiya was registered at the office address of Ritual-Khimki, located at the premises of a pharmacy owned by the Khimki City Council deputy who chairs the legislature's House and Communal Services Committee.

In 2010, amid a conflict over another construction site, environmentalist Konstantin Fetisov was beaten up. Police arrested the assailants and the man who ordered the attack, who turned out to be Khimki Municipal Property Department head Andrey Chernyshev, Nyrkov's colleague who worked under Alexey Valov, one of Mayor Strelchenko's staff (before joining Khimki City Hall, Valov commanded a military unit stationed near the Kantemirovskaya Division). Chernyshev was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison. In court, the defendants said they were only doing Valov's bidding, but this testimony led to no further developments in the case.

In 2012, shortly after the conflict over the construction of a highway through Khimki Forest, Vladimir Strelchenko was dismissed. Two years later, Alexey Valov was put in charge of the Moscow region's Shchyolkovsky District.

PART 3

From Khimki to Khovanskoye

In 2013, Yuri Chabuev started a new job in Moscow as the head of the No. 3 Territorial Branch of Funeral Services (TORO; at that time, the term "funeral services complex," or KRO, was in use) of the municipal enterprise "Ritual," which operated at Khovanskoye, Vostryakovskoye, and several other major cemeteries. The Ritual-Khimki director position went to Pyotr Levchenko, another Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy classmate.

Two years later, No. 3 TORO's jurisdiction was expanded to include several old cemeteries, among which were Troyekurovskoye, Vagankovo, and Novodevichy, making it Ritual's largest subdivision. Chabuev now had 31 cemeteries under his control, including the capital's most prestigious graveyards. Yuri Shnaider, Chabuev's old classmate and business partner at "Clean City," was soon put in charge of No. 5 TORO, which managed several major cemeteries south of Moscow: Shcherbinskoye, Domodedovskoye, and Kotlyakovskoye. This is how the Kamyshinsky Military Engineering Academy graduates expanded their influence over Moscow's best cemeteries.

The partners' revenue shot through the roof, and Chabuev's hometown funeral-goods manufacturing business took off. No. 3 TORO started rentingequipment from Chabuev's wife, who opened a restaurant called "Serbia" in the "Romanov Dvor," one of the capital's most expensive business Centers (located just a few hundred yards from the Kremlin).

The most notorious incident associated with Yuri Chabuev's reign over Moscow's funeral industry is the violence at Khovanskoye Cemetery that claimed three lives in May 2016. The fight included members of Zdorovaya Natsiya, who'd previously helped disperse protests against infill construction. This group included men from Chechnya and several police officers. One of the co-founders was Alexander Bocharnikov, the son-in-law of Mikhail Portashnikov, the former deputy head of Moscow's traffic police.

By many accounts, the conflict itself only started when Yuri Chabuev tried to increase the amounts of money he extorted from the cemetery's Tajik groundskeepers.

Immigrants from Tajikistan comprise a significant part of the labor force at Moscow's cemeteries, keeping the grounds clean and maintained. It has learned that almost all of these workers are from the same "local council" (uniting several villages) in Obigarm, in Tajikistan's Roghun District. Some of these immigrants are legally employed in Moscow, while others are not, but everyone pays a "deduction" to their cemetery's administrators for the chance to work for them. For a long time, this revenue item was so insignificantly small for funeral business executives that they ignored it almost completely. This neglect allowed migrant workers to save their money and begin to expand their sphere of activity. By 2016 at Khovanskoye and Perepechinskoye cemeteries, for instance, they opened their own official headstone workshops. Chabuev decided to take control of this business.

According to the testimony from workers at Khovanskoye Cemetery, Yuri Chabuev invited them to transfer their official and unofficial businesses to his people and continue their ordinary wage labor. The Tajiks refused, and Chabuev resorted to his old tactics from Khimki, calling in Zdorovaya Natsiya.

The young men from Zdorovaya Natsiya arrived at Khovanskoye Cemetery in the spring of 2016, during peak season for burial services, when headstones are going up and graves are getting routine maintenance. Rolling in on motor scooters, they proceeded to "inspect" the premises, expelling the Tajik workers from the cemetery grounds.

On May 14, the first weekend after Russia's long spring holidays, a mass brawl of 200 to 400 men broke out between the Zdorovaya Natsiya members and Khovanskoye Cemetery's Tajik laborers. Far outnumbered, Zdorovaya Natsiya opened fire. The shooting ended as soon as the riot police showed up. Three people died in the skirmish, and more than 30 were seriously injured, including some bystanders who were only visiting the cemetery.

In November 2018, a court convicted Yuri Chabuev of organizing the violence and sentenced him to 11 years at a maximum-security prison. One of the fight's other organizers, Zdorovaya Natsiya co-founder Alexander Bocharnikov, was given nine years. Another 13 men who took part in the brawl were sent to prison for between 3.5 and 11.5 years. Officials also arrested hundreds of Tajik nationals, deporting some, placing others under administrative arrest for 15 days, and sentencing another five men to three years in prison.

During the trial, Chabuev said he repeatedly warned Ritual's then deputy head of security, Alexander Garakoev, about the situation at Khovanskoye Cemetery, but Garakoev did nothing to prevent the conflict, Chabuev claimed, and the private security guards stationed at the graveyard were even ordered not to intervene in the fight. In the 1990s, Garakoev served in Tajikistan, and he came to Ritual from a position in the FSB Border Guard Troops, where he was the head of a logistics base in Stavropol.

After Chabuev's arrest and the dismissal of his friends from Ritual, almost all of Moscow's cemeteries fell under the control of men hailing from southern Russia in the Stavropol region.

PART 4

The boys from Stavropol

According to Moscow's Commerce and Services Department, the city's funeral industry does at least 14 billion rubles ($222.1 million) in business every year. At the same time, based on official data for the past three years, the municipal enterprise Ritual earned between 1.7 and 3 billion rubles ($27 million and $47.6 million) on paid services each year.

The funeral business is a reliable source of cash, an industry insider told. Companies can earn money under the table by preparing bodies for burial, selling plots at cemeteries, digging and maintaining graves, and organizing funerals. Three sources who spoke to estimate that the annual volume of "shadow cash" generated by Moscow's funeral-services industry is between 12 and 14 billion rubles ($190.4 and $223 million).

The redistribution of Moscow's funeral-services market began even before the shootout at Khovanskoye Cemetery, with the appointment in 2015 of Ritual's new director, Artyom Ekimov, the former senior criminal investigator at the Interior Ministry's Anti-Corruption and Economic Security head office (GUEBiPK). According to sources in the Moscow government, hiring Ekimov was part of an effort to clean up the city's funeral market, and officials hoped his experience in the Interior Ministry would help him get the job done.

A series of police raids against influential executives at Ritual preceded Ekimov's appointment, and several people were charged with bribery. A few weeks before Ekimov started on the job, officers from the Moscow police's Economic Security Department arrested former Samara Regional Duma deputy Dmitry Anishchenko, who allegedly promised to help appoint a certain businessman to take over Ritual for a fee of 2 million euros ($2.3 million). Anishchenko was sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempted fraud. A former GUEBiPK officer told that Ekimov handled some of the criminal intelligence work on that case.

In early 2015, Ekimov's tenure at Ritual began, and he started gradually replacing the top administrators at various cemeteries with his own people. At first, these changes left Yuri Chabuev's sphere of influence virtually untouched. After the violence at Khovanskoye, however, Ritual executives decided to put their house in order, and they soon replaced the top administrators at almost all of the city's cemeteries and crematoriums. The replacements Ekimov hired often had no experience in the funeral business. They had something else in common, too: they all hailed from the Stavropol region.

With these personnel changes, Ritual-Moscow welcomed Valerian Mazaraki (who previously owned an alcohol business) as Ekimov's first deputy; Roman Molotkov, the owner of several restaurants in Stavropol and a member of the Stavropol rap group "Krestnaya Semya" (Godfather Family); Albert Utakaev, the former head of the FSB Border Guard troops in Karachay-Cherkessia and later the assistant manager of the State Registration Federal Agency's Moscow branch; Yuri Kushnir, who previously managed a car dealership and worked as a bartender on the "Bryusov" diesel boat; and a dozen more people.

There's only one part of Ritual not in the hands of the Stavropol group

The only sphere of Ritual not managed by people from the Stavropol region is the company's Major Sites and Services branch, which is headed by Nikolai Pyshkin, Oleg Semenov, and Vladislav Petrashev, who used to work together at a housing and public utilities enterprise in eastern Moscow. From 2010 to 2012, Pyshkin served as the head of the Izmailovo District, and Semenov managed a local utility service. In Moscow's Eastern Administrative Okrug, a company called "Gamma" was hired for nearly 220 million rubles ($3.5 million) to provide services at utilities at Moscow's cemeteries, becoming the biggest contractor in the area. The business belongs to Ruslan Pikalov, who also owns the company "Axiom," which won similarly lucrative contractsbetween 2010 and 2015 to carry out work in the Izmailovo District, where the largest contractors are the firms "Accord" and "Atlas." For several years, these two companies - both of which were owned by Pavel Radchenko - received more than a billion rubles ($15.8 million) from the district's public budget. In 2014, after Pyshkin stepped down as the head of Izmailovo, Accord and Atlas stopped bidding on procurement deals in the area, but they later won several contracts with Ritual. Radchenko's eternal rival in Izmailovo was "Helios" LLC, which belongs to a businessman from Zelenograd named Andrey Pak. Curiously, Pak co-owns the company "Danlux" LLC with Oleg Semenov's wife, Olga Glozman.The new leadership at Moscow's cemeteries led to changes in the graveyards' security contracts as well, with the "Alpha-Horse" private security company supplanting multiple other firms. The business belongs to 28-year-old Emilia Leshkevich, who also owns a crafts store in Perm. Leshkevich is a relative of Anastasia Mazaraki, the wife of Lev Mazaraki, the brother of Ritual's first deputy general director.

Six months after the fight at the Khovanskoye Cemetery, Leshkevich foundedthe "First Ritual Company," which then bought several dozen hearses, and subsequently won several public contracts with Ritual to provide transportation services. Leshkevich's partner in this business is a man named Sardal Umalatov, who in January 2019 became the co-owner of another Moscow mortuary called "Grail."

Umalatov's father was the head of the Chechen Parlimaent's Oil Industry Committee under breakaway leader Dzhokhar Dudayev. In the early 2000s, 23-year-old Sardal Umalatov appeared in news stories when his Bentley was set on fire. In 2017, Umalatov's brother was killed in a shootout between minibus drivers competing over the same route. To service that route, Moscow regional officials had hired the carrier "Trans-Road," which journalists have tied to Alexander Kolokoltsev, the son of Russia's interior minister. Sardal Umalatov co-owns several businesses with Alexander Kolokoltsev. The newspaper "Vedomosti" previously tied Minister Kolokoltsev's son to multiple minibus shuttle services that have received multi-billion-ruble passenger-service contracts from Moscow's Transportation Department.

Writing on behalf of the interior minister, an assistant named Irina Volk told that Alexander Kolokoltsev has never had any ties to the funeral business, and said his father is unaware of any illegal commercial activities committed by his son. Emilia Leshkevich told that she refuses to comment on these matters. Alexander Kolokoltsev did not respond to a letter from, and Moscow's Commerce Department ignored journalists' inquiries.

PART 5

The bankers

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the brothers Lev and Valerian Mazaraki lived and managed businesses in Stavropol, occasionally appearing in various scandals, particularly in relation to their alcohol manufacturing company "Alliance," which federal regulators repeatedly caught selling spirits of unknown origin. The brothers also owned several stores and entertainment venues where questionable alcohol was reportedly discovered. In 2007, Valerian Mazaraki founded the pyramid scheme "Vremya Dokhoda" (Income Time), which was quickly shut down after the company used an image of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in its advertising.

From 2007 to 2012, Lev Mazaraki managed the North Caucasus branch of "SG-Trans" (one of the country's biggest railway operators for transporting oil and gas cargo). He also owned "SG-Trade," which provided various services to SG-Trans. For example, the railway operator signed over a number of tanker cars that went missing a few years later - just as SG-Trade advertised onlinethat it was selling a supply of railway tanker cars. Several current cemetery supervisors are linked to this story.

In the early 2010s, the Mazaraki brothers sold Alliance and moved to Moscow, leaving the alcohol business for the banking industry. Together with some of their friends, they bought and managed Social Economic Bank, National Development Bank, Mast-Bank, and Vestinterbank (see table).

A common thread unites these institutions: shortly after the arrival of Mazaraki-linked managers, Russia's Central Bank revoked the licenses of each of these banks for violating laws against money laundering, and officials later discovered that some of the banks' assets had been siphoned off. According to the Central Bank, the Stavropol-based Social Economic Bank couldn't account for 1.1 billion rubles ($17.4 million) after losing its license, the National Development Bank was missing 13 billion rubles ($205.7 million), Mast-Bank couldn't find 6.8 billion rubles ($107.6 million), and the small Vestinterbank lost a mere 386 million rubles ($6.1 million). Lev Mazaraki shared a seat on Vestinterbank's board of directors with former state security officer Nikolai Dorofeyev. Two sources in the funeral business who spoke to say they suspect this man is related to Alexey Dorofeyev, the head of the Moscow FSB Directorate, though was unable to find documentary evidence verifying this. Nikolai Dorofeyev did not respond to a letter from, and he could not be reached by telephone. Alexey Dorofeyev did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

According to the Central Bank, the funds withdrawn from the banks were routed through loans issued mostly to shell companies, but in some cases, the money reached familiar companies. For example, shortly before the National Development Bank lost its license, a loan of 30 million rubles ($474,600) was issued to Lev Mazaraki's SG-Trade (the same company that lost the railway tanker cars). The company soon folded.

Most of the staff involved in these schemes moved from bank to bank. For instance, Stavropol native Sergey Selyukov was a shareholder at Social Economic Bank and later managed satellite offices at the National Development Bank and Mast-Bank. Between 2015 and 2016, he supervised one of Ritual's local subdivisions in Moscow, and in the spring of 2017 he took over the Moscow office of a small bank called "Sputnik," which was registered in Samara.

In 2017, Sputnik was acquired by a group of people previously employed at Social Economic Bank and other failed financial institutions. Shortly thereafter, Sputnik launched a Moscow branch and opened cash-transaction services desks at the "Dubrovka" and "Food City" shopping centers and the "Mosvka" marketplace. Despite the large cash flows at these venues, few banks operate here. Before it lost its license, Mast-Bank (which also has ties to Stavropol financiers) was one of the biggest institutions present at these marketplaces. It has learned that Sputnik's marketplace services desks opened in the same premises previously occupied by Mast-Bank.

In March 2019, police officers raided the "Sadovod," "Food City," and "Mosvka" marketplaces, completely shutting down all operations. Not long afterwards, Sputnik closed all its marketplace services desks.

Lev and Valerian Mazaraki could not be reached by telephone. Valerian did not respond to a letter from addressed to his name, sent to Ritual's press service, and Lev did not answer questions sent to him over Facebook Messenger.

PART 6

The FSB and Friends

Artyom Ekimov - the man who made Valerian Mazaraki his deputy and staffed Moscow's territorial funeral services departments with fellow Stavropol natives - took charge of Ritual literally just a few days before federal agents carried out a special operation against his former place of work. As a result of that police bust, the entire leadership of the Interior Ministry's Anti-Corruption and Economic Security head office (GUEBiPK) ended up in Prison.

The reason for the police action was an earlier sting operation staged by GUEBiPK officers to try to catch Igor Demin, the deputy director of the FSB's Internal Security 6th Service, in the process of accepting a bribe. Afterwards, seven GUEBiPK staff, including department head Denis Sugrobov, were charged with abuse of office and provoking bribery, and later with organizing a criminal association as well. Sugrobov was initially sentenced to 22 years in prison before the term was reduced to 12 years.

It's believed that the Sugrobov case was a response to GUEBiPK's attempts to gain control over the banking sector, which was traditionally supervised by the banking division (Department "K") of the FSB's Economic Security Service.

Denis Sugrobov knew about Artyom Ekimov's plans to leave the department to work at Ritual, a source close to Sugrobov told. Back in 2013, says source, Sugrobov suggested that Ekimov had been hired as the new head of the Moscow funeral service because he was a "competent guy" and a friend of FSB Lieutenant Colonel Marat Medoev. Sugrobov's contacts in the presidential administration also allegedly informed him that Medoev's superior, Alexey Dorofeyev, directly lobbied for Ekimov's appointment to the top spot at Ritual.

FSB Lieutenant General Alexey Dorofeyev, now age 58, graduated from the Leningrad Mechanical Institute, before joining the KGB and working in city-level state security departments in Leningrad and then (after the city was renamed) St. Petersburg. In 2005, he took over the FSB's office in Karelia. According to reports in the news media, Dorofeyev was removed from this post following deadly ethnic clashes in Kondopoga in August 2006, but he soon made it to Moscow. From 2010 to 2012, he managed the FSB's Department "M," which subsequently carried out the operation to break up GUEBiPK. In 2012, Dorofeyev was put in charge of the FSB's Chief Directorate for the Moscow metropolitan area.

Another source in law enforcement (an officer at one of Russia's intelligence agencies who is personally acquainted with Marat Medoev) confirmed that Lieutenant General Dorofeyev was behind Artyom Ekimov's appointment to Ritual, saying that Ekimov was considered "Dorofeyev's man."

The same source describes Dorofeyev as a kind of "demigod." "He's a lieutenant general with an office and a sunroom. Not every boss from 'Detsky Mir' can get an audience with him," source says, referring to the children's retail store across the street from the FSB's headquarters at Lubyanka Square in Moscow.

Thirty-seven-year-old Marat Medoev (whom a source close to Sugrobov identified

as Artyom Ekimov's friend) is Alexey Dorofeyev's closest assistant, managing a group in the FSB Chief Directorate that Dorofeyev supervises. Medoev was born in St. Petersburg, but he's lived in Moscow since at least the early 2000s, and he worked in the FSB's Criminal Investigations Directorate until 2012. Officially, he's never been an entrepreneur, but he has an unusual habit of buying expensive cars and motorcycles. In 2012, Medoev bought a new BMW X5 Drive, which he then sold to a man named Valery Bolshakov, according to anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny. It has learned that Valery Bolshakov manages the Transport Services Department at Ritual.

When reached by telephone, Bolshakov declined to comment and hung up. His son, Alexander, told that his father doesn't know Marat Medoev, claiming that he bought the BMW through an advertisement. Alexander Bolshakov, however, is close friends with the Medoevs and Mazarakis, and often spends time with members of the two families. Valerian Mazaraki and Marat Medoev's wife, Natalia, even attended Bolshakov Jr.'s wedding at the Moscow nightclub "Soho Rooms."

Medoev and Dorofeyev have been acquainted since at least the early 2010s. The source (who knows Medoev personally) calls him Dorofeyev's "right hand" and "the man who carries out all his orders." "If an assignment comes from [Medoev], it means it comes from his boss and everyone knows you'd better hop to," source says, confirming that officers in the FSB are directly connected to the municipal enterprise Ritual. This includes Marat Medoev, he says, who "sometimes resolves unpleasant situations for Ritual" encountered by the company's staff.

Ritual director Artyom Ekimov initially offered to meet with the journalists who wrote report, but at the last minute he postponed the meeting indefinitely, "due to the complexity of the subject," and has not responded to questions by the time of this writing.

PART 7

Bad Company

In February 2018, the Moscow nightclub "Soho Rooms" hosted a birthday party for Lev Mazaraki's wife, Anastasia, who is known for owning one of the most expensive cars in all of Moscow: an orange Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 sports car, worth at least 23.7 million rubles ($374,700). The party was "Great Gatsby" themed, and Ritual director Artyom Ekimov was one of the guests.

The Mazaraki family also frequently spends time with the Medoevs. In May 2019, for example, Natalia Medoeva (Marat's wife) celebrated her birthday at the restaurant "Podmoskovnye Vechera" (Moscow Evenings), located in Moscow's prestigious Rublyovka suburb. The party's guests included Anastasia Mazaraki and Maya Ovsyannikova, Marat Medoev's younger sister. The event was titled "Evening Natasha," and it was hosted by late night television star Ivan Urgant, with live music by the Russian band Diskoteka Avariya. The sources estimate that the affair cost between 18 and 20 million rubles ($285,390 and $317,100). The event agency responsible for organizing Medoeva's party, "Safit Event," also staged Anastasia Mazaraki's "Agent Provocateur" themed birthday party in February 2019, which was attended by Elda Medoeva, Marat's sister.

The nightclub Soho Rooms is owned by Lev and Anastasia's 19-year-old son, Egor, who got into the club-restaurant business after buying several establishments at Moscow's "Trekhgornaya Manufactory," including the "Hooligan Moscow" club (previously owned by Denis Simachev and Andrey Kobzon), the "Blacksmith" Irish pub, and the "Jagger Hall" banquet hall. Egor Mazaraki also owns the "20/15" barbershop and the "Shaika-Leika" (Bad Company) sauna complex.

The Mazarakis' entertainment business is managed by Igor Nelyubov, who previously headed the "Krasnaya Shapochka" (Little Red Riding Hood) strip club, before working as CEO of the mortuary "First Ritual Company." Nelyubov also manages several other companies owned by Vycheslav Martynenko, the Mazarakis' family friend who once headed the Stavropol group "The Committee for Civic Resistance to Violations of Discipline and Lawfulness of Law-Enforcement Agencies' Actions." After following the Mazarakis to Moscow, Martynenko also became a co-owner of several popular local establishments, including the "Konstruktor" and "Mix" nightclubs and the "Mir" banquet hall, which is located in the building that houses the well-known movie theater by the same name.

In late 2018, Martynenko acquired yet another business, and it won a procurement deal for exclusive trading rights at the subway stations in central Moscow. Shortly before this contract was signed, the job of deputy director of the city's Transportation Department, which oversees the subway system, was given to former Ritual deputy director Alexander Garakoev (a reserve FSB colonel and the same former head of security at Ritual who refused to support "Khimki's" Yuri Chabuev in the showdown at Khovanskoye Cemetery).

One of Marat Medoev's in-laws, Yuri Ovsyannikov, used to work in Moscow's transportation industry, managing the Moscow Road Inspection Administration (MADI), which rented office space on Kazakova Street from a firm owned by Marat Medoev's father, Igor. The facility used to be home to the central office of "Arks-Bank," which was implicated in a major scandal in 2016, when regulators discovered, after the bank lost its license, that almost 90 percent of its deposits (roughly 35.1 billion rubles, or $555.8 million) were left off the balance sheet and withdrawn.

Igor Medoev is close friends with "Magnitsky List" designee and FSB general Viktor Voronin, who led the agency's Department "K" until 2016 and oversaw the banking sector, two sources who know Igor Medoev told. Bank owners repeatedly accused Voronin of trying to seize their assets illegally. In May 2011, banker Alexander Lebedev published an open letter where he said several of Voronin's subordinates are guilty of rent-seeking behavior, writing that they "confuse their own wool with the state's." Alexey Dorofeyev is also well-acquainted with Viktor Voronin. In the late 2000s, for example, they often sat next to each other on flights from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and both men managed the FSB's Economic Security Service from 2010 to 2012.

Before retiring, Igor Medoev served in the FSB's North Ossetia branch, and after 2001, he became an adviser to Anatoly Serdyukov in the Federal Tax Service and then the Defense Ministry. While at the Defense Ministry, Medoev was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation honorary title, but he ultimately lost his job by order of Dmitry Medvedev when Serdyukov was fired. Igor Medoev lives in Slovakia today, near several people connected to the company "Faraday," the main supplier of footwear to Russia's Interior Ministry, National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and FSB.

One of Serdyukov's other former advisers was Sergey Korolev, who was appointed in 2016 to manage the FSB's Economic Security Service. Korolev is Mara Medoev's godfather, according to "Novaya Gazeta" and confirmed by sources close to the Interior Ministry. The sources in the FSB say Marat Medoev used his father's connections to become an adviser to Alexey Dorofeyev.

Igor Medoev did not respond to telephone calls or messages on WhatsApp. The FSB's public relations center and the FSB's bureaus in Moscow and the Moscow region did not respond to requests for comments about Marat Medoev and Alexey Dorofeyev.

PART 8

Neighbors

In the early 2010s, Marat Medoev received a plot of land in the non-commercial cottage partnership "Dacha Ostrovok" (Cottage Island), where his neighbors included Alexey Dorofeyev, FSB General Oleg Feoktistov (in 2017, working as a vice president at Rosneft, he oversaw the operation to arrest Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev), FSB Control Service head Vladimir Kryuchkov, former Federal Customs Service deputy director Igor Zavrazhnov, and Konstantin Gavrikov, the deputy head of the FSB's Department "K," which monitors the banking sector.

The Medoevs and Dorofeyevs own adjacent property in another villa community, as well, at "Lesnaya Bukhta" (Forest Cove), located about 40 minutes from Dacha Ostrovok, near the shore of the Istrinskoye Reservoir. According to the Unified State Register of Taxpayers, Igor Medoev borrowed 119 million rubles ($1.9 million) in April 2012 from the bank "Strategy" in order to buy the real estate. Curiously, a month before this loan was issued, law-enforcement agencies raided the same bank and seized documents in a case related to the illegal withdrawal of 20-25 billion rubles ($317-397 million) abroad. The bank was never prosecuted, though regulators later revoked its license after repeatedly catching it in noncompliance with laws against money laundering.

In 2015, Alexey Dorofeyev bought the plot next to Igor Medoev's in the Lesnaya Bukhta community (the current owner is registered as the private organization "Russian Federation"). Two years later, on the exact same day, they both registered their new homes on that land. Aerial footage recorded by "Novaya Gazeta" shows that there's no fence between the two properties. In the summer of 2018, Anastasia Mazaraki bought neighboring real estate.

In the spring of 2018, Anastasia Mazaraki (Lev's wife) bought a plot of land next to the real estate owned by Alexey Dorofeyev and Igor Medoev. On June 21, 2019, the website PASMI.ru reported that the Mazaraki family is also building an estate outside Moscow in Barvikha. Journalists estimate that the property is worth roughly 3 billion rubles ($47.7 million).

The Mazaraki and Medoev families might also be acquainted. Their mansions at Lesnaya Bukhta are side by side, practically forming a separate street. On this same road, one of the homes once belonged to Igor Medoev's daughter (and Marat Medoev's sister), Elda, but she sold the property in 2018. According to records from the State Registration Federal Agency, accessed on June 12, 2019, the land was sold to a private organization called "Russian Federation," but earlier files indicate that she sold her home to "Boris Sergeevich Korolev," whose name matches the son of Sergey Korolev, the head of the FSB's Economic Security Service, who began his career in the agency's St. Petersburg branch, like Alexey Dorofeyev. A source who knows the Medoevs confirmed that the son of a high-ranking FSB officer did in fact buy Elda Medoeva's old home. Elda Medoeva refused to answer questions.

This real estate outside Moscow isn't the only example of land previously registered to the Korolev family suddenly showing up as property of "Russian Federation." Since the early 1990s, Sergey Korolev's family has been registered in a government apartment in northwestern St. Petersburg. State Registration Agency records show that the deed on the home was transferred to "citizens" in July 2018. Instead of indicating individuals as the new owners, however, the transcripts identify the same "Russian Federation," stating shared ownership.

In June 2019, "Russian Federation" also became the owner of Alexey Dorofeyev's mansion at Lesnaya Bukhta.

In late 2018, Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyev replaced the agency that oversees the region's funeral business, shifting the responsibility from the Consumer Market Ministry to Roman Karataev's Main Directorate of Regional Security. Before coming to the Moscow regional government, Karataev worked in the FSB's Department "M," serving while Alexey Dorofeyev managed the department.

Dmitry Evtushenko was appointed Karataev's deputy and tasked with overseeing the funeral industry. Evtushenko previously worked for the regional government in the Stavropol region, the Mazaraki brothers' homeland. Evtushenko also managed a Stavropol company that employed Sergey Selyukov, the director of a Ritual Moscow subdivision that's been linked to schemes to withdraw money from several local banks. Roman Karataev refused to answer questions over the telephone, saying journalists should schedule an appointment with him.

In December 2018, regional authorities outside the capital established a structure similar to the Moscow municipal enterprise Ritual, launching the municipal enterprise "Memorial Services Center," which will take control over the region's funeral business. The new outfit is headed by Nikolai Kazakov, the co-founder of the "All-Russian Cheerleading Federation," who previously managed a funeral service in Khimki. Today, judging by state procurement orders, the new municipal enterprise is buying furniture, office supplies, and renting office space in cities outside Moscow.

A source in the region's funeral business told that new people have already seized control of four districts: Krasnogorsk, Leninsky, Khimki, and Domodedovo. According to source, most of the cemeteries in these districts are being reclassified as "closed," which prohibits new burials, thus "creating a shortage and increasing the size of bribes for allocating space for graves."

Additional reporting and fact-checking: BBC Russian Service: Andrey Zakharov and Svetlana Reiter; "RBC": Maxim Solopov; "Vedomosti": Anastasia Yakoreva and Bela Lyauv; Fontanka.ru: Yulia Nikitina; The Bell: Irina Pankratova, Alexandra Prokopenko, Anastasia Stognei, and Irina Malkova; "Forbes": Maria Abakumova and Sergey Titov; OCCRP / "Novaya Gazeta": Roman Shleinov, Irina Dolinina, Alesya Marokhovskaya, and Olesya Shmagun; and Lorem Ipsum Corp.: Alexander Gorbachev

Ronald Wells

[hari-100]

Simplifying Income Tax Filing: A Friendly Guide

Filing income tax returns is an essential task that every taxpayer needs to complete annually. This process ensures that you report your income to the government and pay any taxes you owe. Let’s break down what income tax filing is all about and how you can navigate it smoothly.

What is Income Tax Filing?

Income tax filing is the process of reporting your earnings and expenses to the government. It's like summarizing your financial year in a form that helps determine how much tax you need to pay or if you're eligible for a refund. This annual ritual helps keep our country running smoothly by funding public services like schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

Why is it Important?

Filing your income tax returns isn’t just about following the rules; it's about being a responsible citizen. It ensures transparency in your financial dealings and contributes to the overall economic well being of the nation. Plus, timely filing can prevent penalties and legal issues.

Benefits of Using Income Tax Filing Services

Using income tax filing services, whether through tax professionals or online platforms, can simplify the process for you:

Accuracy: Professionals are trained to ensure your returns are accurate and comply with current tax laws.

Time Savings: They can save you valuable time by handling all the paperwork and calculations.

Maximize Deductions: They can help you identify deductions and credits you might have overlooked, potentially saving you money.

Income Tax Filing Services in Punjagutta

Punjagutta offers a range of income tax filing services to assist taxpayers in meeting their obligations efficiently. Whether you prefer Income Tax Filing Services in Punjagutta or prefer the expertise of tax return filing agents in Punjagutta, there are options to suit every need.

Online Tax Filing Services in Punjagutta

For convenience, many individuals opt for online tax filing services in Punjagutta. These services allow you to file your taxes from the comfort of your home or office, using secure portals and ensuring timely submission.

Income Tax Return Filing Services in Punjagutta

Income tax return filing services in Punjagutta provide comprehensive assistance in preparing and filing your income tax returns. These services cater to individuals and businesses alike, ensuring compliance with tax laws and maximizing refunds where applicable.

Tax Return Filing Agents in Punjagutta

Tax return filing agents in Punjagutta offer personalized assistance and expertise in navigating the complexities of tax laws. They can guide you through the process, from gathering documents to submitting your returns accurately and on time.

ITR Filing Services in Punjagutta

ITR filing services in Punjagutta specialize in filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for individuals and entities. They ensure that all necessary documents are in order and that your returns are filed correctly to avoid any penalties or delays.

Income Tax Filing Providers in Punjagutta

Income tax filing providers in Punjagutta cater to diverse needs, offering services that range from basic tax preparation to comprehensive financial planning. They help you stay compliant with tax regulations while optimizing your financial situation.

Income Tax Preparation Services in Punjagutta

Income tax preparation services in Punjagutta assist taxpayers in preparing accurate and timely tax returns. They ensure that all income sources and deductions are accounted for, minimizing the risk of errors or audits.

Tax Return Filing Services in Punjagutta

encompass a wide range of solutions aimed at simplifying the tax filing process. Whether you need assistance with individual returns or corporate filings, these services ensure efficiency and compliance by Tax return filing services in Punjagutta 

Tips for Smooth Tax Filing

Keep Records: Maintain organized records throughout the year to make tax filing easier.

File on Time: Avoid last-minute rushes; filing early helps you plan better and reduces stress.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on tax laws and changes that might affect your filing.

Conclusion

Filing income taxes doesn’t have to be daunting. With a little preparation and understanding of the process, you can navigate it confidently. Whether you choose to file independently using online resources or seek professional assistance from income tax filing services in Srinagar Colony, Punjagutta, Begumpet, Banjara Hills and Hyderabad the goal remains the same: to fulfill your civic duty while managing your finances responsibly.

For more information please contact.www.fufinplus.com

[emfunerals]

The Role of a Funeral Planner

Funeral directors help people navigate their options after a death. They also provide support and expertise to those who are grieving. They can help arrange a service that reflects the deceased’s cultural and spiritual preferences.

Funerals can be costly. However, there are ways to reduce the cost of a funeral. One option is to buy a prepaid funeral.

Prepaid funerals

Prepaid funeral planner Sydney are an affordable and convenient way to organise your own farewell. They can be paid for in full up front or in monthly instalments. They allow you to lock in funeral costs at today’s prices, protecting you against future price increases. Preplanning your funeral also relieves loved ones from having to make rushed decisions during an emotionally charged time.

When you invest in a prepaid funeral, your money is held securely in a regulated managed fund until the day of your service. The funds are covered by a contract that complies with NSW funeral fund laws and cannot be used for anything else. In addition, the investment does not count as an asset for pensions and avoids Centrelink asset testing. However, you should check the rules for your state before investing.

Cremation

Cremation is a popular choice for many families, and it allows them to make more personalized funeral plans. Some choose to have their ashes scattered at a meaningful location, while others prefer to keep them in an urn or other type of container. They can also choose whether to hold a memorial service or not.

Pamela offers one-on-one consultations to discuss funeral preferences and ensure they are understood. She can also assist with a range of other aspects of a service, including readings, music, rituals and religious inclusions.

Funeral planning is a unique event management discipline that requires compassion, tact, and professionalism. You can gain the skills and knowledge to take on this career by enrolling in QC’s internationally-leading Event Planning Courses. This will give you the edge when organising such an emotional occasion.

Burial

When a loved one dies, you need to consider what you want to happen to their body. Whether you prefer cremation or burial, you’ll need to make a decision that fits with your beliefs and values. You’ll also need to think about the cost.

Burial can be more expensive than cremation, but there are ways to save money by selecting a low-cost funeral or a no service funeral. A no service funeral is when the body is buried almost immediately after death, without a ceremony at a venue. This is the cheapest option. However, it isn’t suitable for all families. Some people choose to have a service before the burial. These services are called a “committal service”.

They’re often more informal than traditional options.

International funerals

With today’s ease of travel, it is common for people to live, work or retire in a country other than their home. In these circumstances, it is necessary to know what to do if your loved one dies abroad. This is where the services of a funeral director are invaluable.

These professionals can assist with organising repatriation and will liaise with the consulate or embassy on your behalf. They will also prepare the documentation and permits, embalm your loved one for the flight and transport them to the airport for the transfer.

The cost varies depending on the country or location, flights and a professional fee for the funeral director who arranges the repatriation. They can advise you of the costs involved before arranging anything.

Funeral directors in NSW

The role of funeral service provider directors in NSW is to handle all the practical nitty-gritty that goes into arranging a funeral. These professionals act like logistical ninjas and ensure that everything happens on time and according to your wishes. They are also responsible for bringing your loved one into their care, as well as arranging a viewing and a memorial service.

Besides the logistics, they provide support and guidance to families during this difficult time. They can help you make decisions that are right for your family and explain the costs of each option. They can also assist you in choosing a cemetery or crematorium, music/ vocalist, venue, catering, clergy/ celebrant, urn, garments and flowers.

Some funeral directors also offer prepaid funerals, which are an excellent way to protect your loved ones from financial burden during an emotional and stressful time. These services are available at Tobin Brothers Funerals, White Lady Funerals, Guardian Funerals and Simplicity Funerals.

[thehealthyhomeofficial]

Get Ready for a Refreshing Ramadan in 2024: Ensure Your AC is Cleaned in Dubai

Importance of Keeping Air Conditioning Clean in Dubai During Ramadan

Finally, the month of spiritual rebirth and devotion—Ramadan in 2024—has arrived. Let us unite in prayer, fasting, and charitable deeds. There's more to getting ready for Ramadan in Dubai than solely stocking up on dates and organizing iftar dishes, since the city experiences harsh summer heat. It also involves making certain that your house offers a cool, cozy space ideal for introspection and prayer. A frequently disregarded factor of getting ready for Ramadan is keeping your air conditioning system clean. Let's explore why maintaining your AC in Dubai throughout Ramadan promotes a more comprehensive and satisfying fasting experience in addition to helping you keep cool.

Why cleaning AC matters

The intense heat in Dubai can be difficult for those who are fasting, so having a functional air conditioning system is crucial to staying cool and hydrated throughout Ramadan. Nevertheless, if an air conditioner is not maintained, dust, mold, and bacteria can grow and cause poor indoor air quality. This might worsen allergies and respiratory conditions, making it harder to focus on spiritual activities and prayers. You can create a more conducive and healthy atmosphere for easily and intently celebrating Ramadan in 2024 by giving AC cleaning in Dubai top priority.

Benefits of a clean AC

In addition to assisting with temperature regulation, a well-maintained air conditioning system is essential for enhancing indoor air quality, especially during Ramadan when families spend more time indoors. Pollutants and other airborne particles are captured by clean AC filters, keeping them from recirculating throughout your house. This lowers the possibility of respiratory discomfort and guarantees a clean, breathing environment for family get-togethers, prayer, and Quran recitation. Furthermore, air conditioning cleaning improves the quality of your sleep, enabling you to relax and revitalize throughout the auspicious Ramadan nights.

The effect on the quality of indoor air The quality of indoor air can have a big impact on one's health and wellbeing, especially if they are observing Ramadan in 2024. For those who are fasting, poor air quality can aggravate allergies, cause respiratory infections, and set off asthma episodes. By spending money on AC cleaning in Dubai, you can get rid of possible sources of indoor air pollution in addition to clearing out collected dirt and debris from your system. This makes the atmosphere more secure and cozy for prayer and introspection during the month of Ramadan.

Expert AC cleaning services available in Dubai In-depth solutions are provided by professional AC cleaning in Dubai to guarantee that your AC system runs smoothly and effectively during Ramadan. These treatments often cover both obvious dirt and hidden impurities and involve coil maintenance, complete cleaning of internal components, and disinfection. You may be confident that your system will deliver the best possible AC cooling and interior air quality during the most holy month in the Islamic calendar if you leave the cleaning of your AC to the experts.

Building a relaxing environment An welcoming and comfortable space is ideal for carrying out Ramadan customs and rituals when an AC system is kept up and maintained. A cold, refreshing setting promotes calm and tranquility, whether you're having iftar parties with family and friends or participating in the mosque's midnight prayers. You may create an environment where spirituality flourishes and connections strengthen, enhancing your Ramadan experience in 2024 by hiring a professional cleaner for your air conditioner and performing routine maintenance.

When getting ready for Ramadan in Dubai, don't forget how crucial it is to keep your AC system clean. In addition to ensuring a pleasant and comforting atmosphere for fasting and prayer, giving AC cleaning in Dubai top priority will improve your family's health and well-being. Make professional AC cleaning a part of Ramadan in 2024, whether via DIY projects or professional services, to create an environment where the spirit of fasting actually grows.

[hardynwa]

Oyo police arrest five for killing retired permanent secretary

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested five suspects for the murder of  a retired permanent secretary in the state civil service, Mrs Olaitan Gbenle. Thirty other suspects were arrested for various crimes. The state Commissioner of Police,  Adebola Hamzat, announced the arrests during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. According to a message posted on the command’s  X account on Wednesday, Gbenle’s suspected killers allegedly strangled her to death after robbing her of valuable possessions. According to police reports, the suspects voluntarily confessed to the crime. The statement quoted the leader of the  gang as saying that  Gbenle was murdered because she recognised him during the robbery. He was said to have admitted  his involvement in multiple robbery operations. He reportedly said in his confession statement that, “This is my second time taking part in  robbery operation. I lived in the same neighbourhood as the deceased in Apata area of Ibadan. “We strangled her to death, knowing fully well that she recognised me during the operation as one of her neighbours. The fear of possible arrest by the security operatives made us take the decision. “We sold the two vehicles out, (Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla) for N4m out of which we were paid only N2m before the police swooped on us. “My own share of the money was N200,000.” The command also arrested suspected ritualists in the Saki area of the state with a fresh human head cut off from a freshly exhumed corpse and a pot containing concoctions used for ritual purposes. Among the items recovered from the suspects are 18 cars, a DAF trailer, 2,137 cartons of Maggi valued at N18 million, an electricity generating set, four live cartridges, 64  mobile phones, a master key, and a cash sum of N820,000. Read the full article

[carinsuranceireqw]

Car Insurance Compare And Their Myths

In the complex financial decision-making process that is navigating daily, obtaining a home insurance quote or comparing the car insurance options could be similar to figuring out a complicated puzzle. It's an undertaking that requires attention to detail and there's much more involved than meets the eye. Let's look into these important services that impact lives and assets, shedding light on the intricacies of auto and home insurance. To embark on the quest for the best house insurance quote, you must explore the offerings of various insurance companies. These quotes act as guides for homeowners to find the best coverage for their home. There are a myriad of policy options, every having distinct characteristics, and the key lies in the comparison. With this method you can find the most appropriate and cost effective solution tailored to the individual's requirements. Similarly, the automobile insurance is a vast terrain that is dotted with options for exploration. Visit the following website, if you are hunting for additional information on car insurance ireland compare.

Comparing car insurance quotes is not just a ritual; it's an absolute necessity. Each policy comes with specific advantages and features, and locating the policy that is compatible with your needs can save time and money over the long run. But, the process doesn't end with comparing prices. It takes a savvy consumer to unearth potential savings. When engaging with insurance companies, it's essential to inquire about the different discounts that are available. Numerous companies offer savings depending on your driving history as well as safety features for your vehicle as well as other aspects. You can find treasures in discounts that could significantly affect the cost of your auto insurance. Beyond personal insurance requirements There's a wider scope that includes commercial and business insurance. The process of navigating this area requires a different set of considerations. For companies, having the right insurance is not simply a protection measure; it's a strategic move. It guards against unexpected risks and ensures the continuity of operations. In this tangled world, the job of an insurance broker plays a crucial role.

They serve as a guide, guiding people and businesses through the maze of policies. They bring their expertise to the table, helping you decipher the fine print and helping you comprehend the intricacies of each option prior to making a choice. Insurance companies, who are the designers for these security nets, have a significant role to play. They design policies that cater to different needs and provide a plethora of choices for consumers. As consumers, our job is to unravel these choices, making informed decisions that align with unique circumstances. In the grand tapestry of insurance, the quest for the perfect insurance quote for your home insurance quotation or best car insurance plan is an exciting voyage of exploration. It's about finding that delicate equilibrium between coverage and cost and requires patience, perseverance, and a keen attention to the finer details. So, as you embark on this expedition, remember to explore, compare, and inquire about possible savings and savings opportunities. For in these details lies the path to financial security.