A trap for billionaires: how Putin is keeping an aging elite in power, turning criminal cases against their entourage into pay for dismissal
According to the source, the reason why many leadership positions in Russia are occupied by older people is that they have remained in their positions for many decades.
According to him, unlike the prevailing opinion, not all officials, security officials and heads of state corporations want to end their lives in their positions (and there are already such cases) and many would happily go to their billions to lead a quiet life for rich pensioners. However, Putin perceives any resignation, if it does not occur by his personal decision, as betrayal and «flight from the ship». And punishment immediately follows. The retiree himself is not touched, and his inner circle is sent to jail.
As the interlocutor said, not all «State Deds» hold on to their places with their hands and feet. Many, due to age, illness, and simply the desire to live richly and happily openly, would happily retire. For example, the head of Rostec Sergei Chemezov (microwave, Pechkin - as he is called behind his back) in a narrow circle even before the start of the war began to say that he was jealous of «Volodya Yakunin», who has the opportunity to live as he likes. Children in Europe, spends «earned» money, does what he wants, relaxes when and where he wants, etc. Chemezov has been ready for this for a long time. He loves to play golf passionately. For example, the outbreak of war caught him playing golf in Dubai and he spent another ten days with a stick before returning to Moscow. Not far from the golf courses there is a mansion in the village of «22 carat» on the island of Palma Jumeirah.
Chemezov also loves walks on expensive yachts and other types of entertainment from the «lives of millionaires». Chemezov does not hide the fact that he would like to plunge headlong into this life. «But he won’t understand». Who «he» is very clear to everyone. People even from Putin’s longest-standing and closest circle know that resignation at the request of the official himself is impossible. Only if Putin decided to remove it. Otherwise, you will watch your friends and golf partners go to the pre-trial detention center one after another. And the pension will no longer seem so happy. It is known that if Putin likes an official, a security official, he will turn a blind eye to any signals about corruption, no matter what scale it reaches. But as soon as you get into the number of «traitors», dust«is blown off all » materials.
According to the source, some time ago, Putin offered to take one seat to a man who was not from the «old St. Petersburg guard», but with whom he had a warm and trusting relationship. The man was not very eager to take up this position and immediately asked to be able to retire upon reaching a certain age, because he wanted to take care of any business, family, etc. This age did not come soon, Putin agreed and the official was in his chair for a very long time. All this time, warm and trusting relations were maintained with Putin. But then that same age came, the official went to Putin and said that, as he warned, he wanted to retire. Putin replied that he wanted the official to remain in office and asked to think about his decision again. They didn’t let me think for long. The very next day, early in the morning, a call was received from the Russian Presidential Administration calling the Kremlin. At a new meeting with Putin, the official said that he had thought about everything and his decision was final. And instantly it became clear that the «warm and trusting » relationship has come to an end. The official tried to discuss who could cope with his responsibilities instead, but Putin snapped: «I’m not interested in this».
As soon as the official left his post, «dust was blown away» from very old materials on two members of his team and part-time closest friends. Both were arrested and eventually received large sentences.
The source recalled only one case when a high-ranking official voluntarily left his post (we are talking about posts, decisions that Putin makes) without any consequences. This is the case of the resignation of Sergei Ivanov from the post of head of the presidential administration of the Russian Federation. «But he was really very sick, it was hard for him to move and when he asked, Putin let him go».
