BUSINESS

The ghost of suspect construction deals and official collusion has come back to haunt Moscow authorities, as FSB agents raided the plush Yerevan shopping Friday.

It transpires the swanky mall is in danger of crashing through the ceiling of Tulskaya metro station, according to a police source.

Security services swooped this morning and seized documents. It brings the plaza’s patron Yury Bulanov, former southern district prefect and ex-con, under the spotlight for cutting corners when the mall was built and municipal officials for giving it the nod, Izvestia reported.

Officers uncovered a shopping list of scams, including unwisely using Yerevan Plaza accountant’s office to launder money.

Head office raided

Agents also targeted the office of Gennady Stepanyan, the director of Stinkom Group, evoking shadows of the Slaves of the OMON scandal in 2010.

“During the raid on Stepanyan’s office operatives found a list of police officers whom the [mall’s] leadership had regularly paid for protection,” a police source told Life News.

Special forces also explained that a number of officials in the Moscow government had been involved in a money laundering scam revolving around the shopping and entertainment complex.

Millions were pilfered through apparently connected firms and channeled away via China.

Building violations

The building itself also broke a host of building regulations. “We found that Yerovan Plaza was built with gross violations and could at any moment descend into the metro,” the source said.

“In areas where there is metro underground there are rules regarding the weight and area covered by buildings, otherwise the ground will not hold up.

“The general area of the shopping centre at Tulskaya exceeded the norm by 10,000 square meters. It also occupied part of the city which did not belong to it,” he said.

Police said that the construction enjoyed the patronage of Bulanov, with a background in City Hall and embezzlement.

The FSB did not confirm the raid to Russkaya Sluzhba Novostei.