Good witness dead witness

Widow of Aleksey Prelepsky, driver of Mamyev, who is involved into gambling case, said: Alex was killed for his work he was taking money to prosecutors

First retirements connected to famous gambling scandal were made. Cleaning was started with the head of public prosecutors office. Prosecutor of Moscow region Aleksey Mohov, his first deputy Aleksander Ignotenko and the head of regional prosecutors office processual investigation committee activity control department Dmitry Urumov have lost their posts. This was followed by retirement of supervision department heads in Noginsk and Klin. The main persons involved in gambling scandal Ivan Nazarov and his companions are locked down for whole law enforcement investigation term Is the prosecutors case coming to its end? Seems that all forgot about significant event, which has happened during the abovementioned investigation. On April 9th Aleksey Prylepskys body was found in Moscow sub-urban area. He was a personal driver of Marat Mamyev, Nazarovs helper. According to responsive data, he was killed ten days after his boss was arrested.

Once I saw Marat Mamyev behind the bar screen. I was shocked by his smile Photo from RIA Novosti

Everybody lost interest to this crime unpredictably fast all in all, the murder was not added to Nazarovs case. Lawyers have just waved this history: The murder had domestic motive, it has no connection to our case. And everyone is satisfied with this version. Everyone, except the victims widow, Svetlana What was the reason for Prylepskys murder, what life had the driver and who does police suspect in this horrible crime all these questions are covered by exclusive interview of Prylepskys widow for MK In mid-April the detention term of the main person involved in scandal Ivan Nazarov and his companions Marat Mamyev and Alla Guseva should have ended. Lawyers were preparing dramatic speeches and suitcases full of money just in case of bail bond

Aleksey Prilepsky and Svetlana First of all, court has looked into the question about prolongation of detention term for Mamyev and Guseva. According to the logic of novels about criminals, Nazarov should have been released and lawyers were right: economic crimes cannot be a reason of detention during the law enforcement investigation. But prosecution played their cards well and disclosed that Mamyev drivers body was found just in the right moment. The court audience became silent. Marat hid his face in his hands. He understood that he had lost. And lawyers had nothing to answer that. An hour later the judge had announced his verdict: prolong detention term for at least 4 months. After that the decision about the main person in gambling scandal Ivan Nazarov was made. The judge was thinking for 6 hours prior to announcing his word. For two of them court was in doubts

about releasing the suspect from detention. But disregarding the fact that drivers nurder was not added to Nazarovs case, young man continued living behind the bar screen. Afterwards many versions were discussed in press. It was even mentioned that Prilepskys murder was not an accident: 35 years old man started to cooperate with prosecutors office and was at least the main witness in the illegal gambling case. And that his own brother is Nazarovs personal driver. Short variant of all those stories: Prilepsky had many things to tell about. And he paid for that knowledge. Are these rumors right and who is Aleksey Prilepsky? We received answer from the main information source, when we had come to the house, where the common-law wife of the dead has been living recently. My husband have not even planned to cooperate with police Settlement of urban type not far from Moscow, Prilepskys house is situated there, near railway station, in dark end. The plot ends with concrete fence. Svetlana meets me near the wicket door. She is alone. Nowadays friends are the only support and security for the widow. Girl looks around. She makes sure that I came without escort. Only after that she invites me inside. And locks the catch of wicket door. I wont invite you in house, lets speak outside Svetlana says. Her eyes are drawn in fear The plot looks like inhabitant. There are only few trees without leaves, brazier full of cigarette stubs and old rotten mud-blue Zhiguli car. Yes-yes, dont be surprised, its Alekseys private car. Svetlana predicts my question: He had not earned enough for better one. Investigation officer took the keys and has still not returned it. I have a lot of credit debts and I will have to sell the car. But I doubt that we will earn much for this old piece of metal.

House in Litvinovo, where alive Aleksey Prilepsky was noticed for the last time Girl looks at me with suspect in eyes. She does not trust me. She asks me to show the handbag. I dont want to show up on photos later, explains Svetlana. You know, after Alexs death I stopped visiting anyone, I have even stopped coming to my mothers place for some time. I was afraid of possible tail. Ive thought that if they will come to kill me, I should die alone. We are talking outside for some time. Afterwards Sveta accepts the risk to invite me inside the house, at least to the part of barrack, in which young pair lived. And youve thought that Mamyevs driver should have a three floor cottage smiles my interlocutrix near the entrance. Many thought like that probably But we jostled in a tiny room both a bedroom and living room for us. We have not even been dreaming about a decent place to live. Bed and bedside table with TV on the top meet me in bedroom. There is also a line of Alekeseys photos. We sit in miserable kitchen, which is also an entrance hall. Its often said about such houses they lived as poor as mice. I notice a coat on the hanger. Its the only thing left from Aleksey. Its a present from the generous Mamyev. Marat liked my husband, he always made him gifts: watches (probably expensive ones, we have not found out), shoes, motorcycle, laptop. And this coat- explains Svetlana It darkened outside. After each uncommon noise in the street Svetlana shivered and looked at the window.

Prilepskys widow is a shy girl. And open as a child. She do not lie, she do not hide anything. You dont have to read her mind, she will tell all her thoughts. I still do not understand why she has decided to tell her story. She answered my question shortly: I have nothing to lose. I want revenge for Alekseys death Ive started recording Nazarov and Mamyev were arrested on February 11th.- Svetlana started - That day Aleks returned home at five in the morning he passed few hours in FSS office. He was with Marat in the moment of arrest. And he described that evening in details afterwards. This is what happened: Aleks got into the car near office of Mamyev in Kosin. Somebody knocked his window and showed the authorization document.We are from Federal Security Service. Who are you? Where is Mamyev?theyve asked. Im his driver. Marat is in his office Aleks answered. Theyve put irons on my husbands hands. After FSS agents entered the building and found Marat. They were driven to their office for interrogation. They have not asked Aleks about anything significant. Questions were similar to for how long have you been working for Marat and what relationships do you have with Marat. Probably has has not told me everything. But I was surprised with his phrase: Im not stupid enough to tell them everything.

But on February 17th Nazarov and Mamyev were put inside the cage. Prilepsky could not calm himself and mumbled I have warned them for the whole day. And he really told me constantly: Nazarov will be caught sooner or later, he should not joke with such things. With what? Ive asked again and again. You, Flower, should better remain unknowing about this Husband corpse was revealed to investigators in a suitable time Since mid-February Aleksey Prilepsky was very nervous. He followed the news about prosecutors scandal on daily manner

Previously Nazarovs gambling club in Pushkino. Photo by Irina Bobrova. After Marat and Nazarov were imprisoned, Aleks continues working on Marat.. On his wife, actually. Visited lawyers of the arrested, passed some documents. And one day he said that when Mamyev leaves the investigators detention cell, Marat will leave the country most probably. So Aleks has lost his job and has to find something else And thats when Nickolay Zacharov, a friend of Nazarov and Mamyev, entered Prilepskys family life. On 25th of February he organized a meeting with Aleks in fishing household situated in Moscow sub-urban area. Aleks knew Nick Zacharov very well; Marat has presented them to each other. They had excellent relationships. Zacharov even confessed me one day: Aleks is a cool guy, and Im envy that Mamyevs has such professional driver. I would like to have one like him also. So after Marats arrest Zacharov seemed offering a job to Aleks. My husband wanted to go to the fishing household and discuss details. All in all, thats how he explained his trip. Probably, he lied to me, because he did not want to scare me. It would explain why Aleks hugged me and seemed to farewell me: Flower, lets have a child. Ive answered in joy: Return home faster and we will start making some. He left very sad, like he knew that he wont come back So he has not gone fishing, like newspapers like to say. Aleks has not fished once in his whole life. Additionally, nobody goes fishing in that household in winter. There are even no wells in ice. Zacharov just rented a house there. Nicholay Zacharovs name has never received press attention before. We know not much about this man, and the knowledge is based only on Svetlanas words. In her memories Zacharov looked like a 40 years old man, owned a network of gambling clubs in Korolevo, always used Infinity car and had a Prosecutors office pass behind the drivers glass.

Today Zacharov is the main suspect in Prilepskys murder. It was discussed a lot, how the murder of Mamyevs personal driver happened. But all official versions described in press have almost no connection to reality, per widows words. Svetlana made her own investigation and decided to share the results for the first time, to share information about how her husband gone missing and why discussions about Prilepskys death started the day, when court was rethinking the decision about further detention of main persons involved in gambling scandal Aleks left the house on Friday, February 25. At 19.00 he called me and informed that he stuck in traffic jam on his way to Korolevo. After that he stopped answering calls. It was the first time this happened. If he was late, he always phoned me and mother. On February 27 his cell phone was turned off. On Sunday number he used for work also went down. But during the night between 27th and 28th of February one of the phones started working again. But nobody answered. And after that again the subscriber is no available phrase became the answer On February 28th Svetlana and her mother went to police to report that Aleks gone missing. And soon after that Alekseys brother Alexander has told that Aleks was last seen in Shelkovo area, in Litvinovo settlement. On TV theyve said that the murder took place in Medvezhie lakes. But thats not true! Everything has happened in Litvinovo, in fishing household - overreacts the girl We went there on the 28th of February. Weve been told that Zacharov arranged meeting with Aleksey in house # 3. And there were two hussies with him. Guards also told us that Zacharov left the household on February 26th. And Aleks seemed to stay there. When I ran into the house, I paled! On the right side, near the entrance to Finnish bath, I saw a puddle of blood. Alekseys shoes were near the entrance, jacket was on the hanger, near his hood. Documents, money and keys everything was there. My first thought was could he just leave. But what was on him? Jeans and socks? It was minus 15 outside! Soon after policemen of Shelkovos department came, along with detectives and dog handlers with their pets.

The dog has driven us to car parking. The asphalt there was also in blood. Seems that Aleks was killed, his body was later put into the car and driven away. Its strange that no one from the complex personal had noticed anything! There were no witnesses! No cameras! Afterwards theyve taken us to Shelkovo, where we were interrogated till the morning. Next day I came to Litvinovo again. The house was sealed by police. Initially we were not allowed to enter the territory of the fishing household with reasoning that we either stop asking unnecessary questions, or leave. We showed Alekseys photos to local guards. They were just shaking their shoulders and saying that they have not seen him. Only one of them doubted that and mumbled something like I would not tell you even if I saw him ... One month and a half passed from that time. Seems that everyone forgot about the murder But only till 15th of April, the day when Mamyevs detention term has nearly ended. Prosecutors words

just at start of sederunt for discussion of Marats release made effect of thunder in clear sky: 35years old Mamyevs personal driver Aleksey Prilepsky was murdered Possible release was not even discussed after that. You know, I have no doubts that Alekss body was found long ago. Investigators just wanted to take advantage of this, sharing this information with public on the same day, when Mamyev and Nazarov should have been released, - Svetlana says. It was accident that Ive received information that Alekss body had been found. On April 9th I phoned to detective from Shelkovsky area and asked about any new information. He answered that a body, which looked similar to description had been found, but it had no face. Prilepskys relatives went to identification. I joined them in mortuary. Alekss body really had skull instead of the face. According to the words of policemen, the body was found near the roadside situated 2-3km from the Litvinovo settlement. They said that some man was passing by with a dog there and found the corpse. Her words were after confirmed by her friend in conversation with me. Official version is bullshit! After Aleks went missing, weve searched all area around Litvinovo. We looked for Prilepksy in snow piles, crossed the forest with flashlights in evening after the work. Weve checked the area with 3-5km radius around Litvinovo, looked under each stone. There were no traces. Police performed searches there also for some days 50 persons sought Aleks near the fishing household. I have no doubts that after murder his body was just hidden in some kind of basement. This also explains why his head looks like eaten by rats. And, when the time has come, body was placed near the road. His arms remained safe since were enfolded with coverlet. Weve identified him looking at his arms. After Aleks went missing, I tried to contact Zaharov, but he never answered phone calls. Svetlana continues And only after Alekseys body was found, Nick came to me by himself and asked whether Ive been looking for him. And he could not stop complaining about the fact that now everyone will accuse him in the murder, since he was the last person who saw Prilepsky alive. And that he could be even imprisoned. I swear that I have not kill Aleks! Ive loved him like brother! he said Aleksey Prilepsky funerals took place on April 12th. Soon after that Nickolay Zaharov was arrested. Detective from Shelkovsky police department says that Zaharov has not yet confessed in the murder, but they probably have a witness driver of taken into custody Nick Svetlana added. Some days ago I called Alekseys mother. She told that Zaharov accepted that they quarreled with Aleks that evening and even had a fight. But he still insists that he is not the person, who killed Aleksey. Together we took 300k rubles to prosecutor Prilepskys murder is connected with prosecutors scandal not by accident. According to some data, Aleksey wanted to share some information about dirty deals of Mamyev and Nazarov with investigators.

Lies! Aleksey was not planning to cooperate with police claims Svetlana. After the arrest of Mamyev and Nazarov he clearly pointed out his point of view saying: I wont go against Marat and Ivan, and I wont tell anything to police Marat Memyevs lawyers suppose that Prilepskys murder had domestic motivation of a quarrel, which happened during drinking bout. Such murders cannot be performed just because of drinking too much alcohol. Aleks body was red-yellow because of hits he received. Autopsists confirmed that he was beaten terribly, his ribs were broken and after all this he was smothered. Additionally, Zaharov is not a drinking person. Ive seen him not sober only once, just before the arrest. I have no doubts that Aleks was killed by an order. And this is connected with his job.

It can be stated that Ivan Nazarov was loved by money. He found 8k $ in restaurant once But he was just a driver.
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Aleks was not a simple driver. He is the person who received orders to take money to Moscow region prosecutors. He actually knew a lot and could become a very valuable witness. Please, understand that Nazarov and Mamyev considered Aleks a trustful and tested person. Even more, Marat trusted his own money to my husband. He worked for them for almost five years. He almost lived at his work driving Mamyev from dawn till the next dawn. He had only two day offs a month at best. But even on his days free he always was ready, because Marat could phone him every second, disregarding the time. Aleks never refused helping him. We even quarreled with him. I used to say that he had to marry Mamyev instead of me. Alekseynormally came after the work very tired; he could not even stay straight and went to bed soon after returning home. Check out his last SMS dated February 4th, 3:44 AM. It says: Im fuc tired of this work.

 Could you give you provide us with some names of persons, to whom Aleksey gave money?
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Aleks did not tell me much about his work. But in our conversation he mentioned head of Moscow area prosecutors office 15th department Dmitry Urumov more than any other person. This man also had a nickname Ururu. I wont hide that I personally witnessed the process of passing money to him. I remember that one day Aleks returned home with a huge pack of bills. Did Marat give you a bonus? Ive asked. With a sigh Aleks explained that this is for Urumov. The next day (it was a day off for Aleks) we went to Kievsky railway station by metro. Urumovs driver waited for us there. Seems that money was passed only by side persons. To ensure that Urumovs vehicle remains unnoticed during the deal, his driver used old personal car. Afterwards Aleksey and I have spent our last thousand of rubles in caf nearby. We joked that we should not give the money and should keep it for us, because this some would be enough for us and it for sure would not convert his bosses into poor guys. You know, I actually did not want to give the money. But my Aleks was a very honest person! And this taking in count how much money that people had! Aleks told me about these yachts, trips to other countries, which were paid by Nazarov. And once he even said: Imagine this, Flower, they rent a yacht which costs 600k rubles daily And we only had hard work day by day.

Has Mamyev traveled with prosecutors on yachts? No, only Ivan made company to prosecutors in these voyages. Mamyev was connected to Nazarov in terms of common restaurant business. Marat did not want to take part in deals with prosecutors, and have used to tell Nazarov that he should calm down, since they were working and earning enough money. But it seemed not enough for Ivan. Greed was his sin. Marat tried to stay away from this and was not so involved. He is an artist, he was a member of Mafia music band, held performances in different clubs. He ended with performances only last year. Aleks agreed with Mamyev. I usually heard from him that Nazarov will soon be caught, that he should not play with power of these men. Ive insisted that he should quit this job. He normally answered that Im right and that he will leave by spring. Who knew that he wont survive this period Has Aleksey mentioned another prosecutors aside of Urumov? No, Ive heard about Bazylan, Ignatenko and Mohov for the first time, when I watched TV. Please, understand that Aleks have not told too much. If I asked about something, he only answered that less knowledge also mean less risks. Probably he wanted to protect me

And how did Prilepsky met Mamyev?

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During certain period of time Aleks worked as a cab driver. He gave a lift to Mamyev for several times. He was a cool driver, 15 years controlling the car. Finally Mamyev has noticed his skill and offered a job. And proposed a monthly salary equal to 20k rubles. But Aleks still had days off. Afterwards it became worse. Marat raised Alekseys earnings to 30k initially and then to 50k, in addition to all bonuses and presents. But the cost of this was weekends. Do you actually think that 50k is enough for such job? Aleks and me were always in debts, hardly had enough money to pay all credits, while Mamyev and Nazarov lived as kings. Girls liked Nazarov a lot, or, to be right, they liked his money. And seemed that money also loved Nazarov. Once he kneeled to tie the shoes in a restaurant and found 8k of dollars below the table. Somebody accidentally lost them, and Nazarov has taken them. We

joked with Aleks that money like company of more money. We could just dream about this. Aleks was shocked with amount of money his boss normally spent. Once he said that Marat entered a shop and easily purchased a coat for 37 thousands rubles Has been Prilepsky messed in different situations with the money?
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Yes, there were enough dangerous situations. But it also was very hard for him to deal with this. I remember a moment some minutes before New Year, when Ive asked Aleks to shoot on the camera his desires. And, you know, he said that it would great if everything goes fine next year with money and happiness, but the main thing that concerns him is how exhausted he is.

Aleks was afraid that he gets himself killed at the end

Lately Aleksey used to say that he should change his job ASAP. Seems that Svetlana do not fully understand in what she is now messed. I warn her that such open mind could cost her a lot. She answers that she has nothing to lose and we continue our conversation So Mamyev and Prilepsky were good friends or just co-workers?
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They have not become friends at the end. The difference in social status has not allowed that. Mamyev just had good relations with Aleks, and thats all. But when Marat was imprisoned, Aleks became very sad. And not because he lost his job. He also was afraid that he will be killed. And looks like that he foresaw this. His bosses are still alive with their millions and my Aleksey is gone

 Is that true that his own brother Alexander was a personal driver of Ivan Nazarov? Has he left the country?
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Its a lie! He neither plans to leave the country nor to hide. Everyone is here. Nazarovs driver Alex and his wife Ola live together in Ivans cottage and have a good life. They have a special house, which was built for servants. His wife works as a janitor in Nazarovs household, while Alexander works for the common-law wife of his boss Katya. By the way, there was mentioned somewhere that Aleksey and Alexander are twin brothers. This is not true. They are children from different marriages. Additionally, Alex is 8 years older than my Aleksey.

But is Alexander involved in Nazarovs business?

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I doubt this. They were not sure about him and have not trusted money to him. This part of job was only for Aleks. The problem is that Alexander is an alcoholic. Nazarov has fired him several times. But Aleksey normally convinced Ivan to bring his brother back. After Zaharovs arrest Alexander got terribly drunk. This is the only way to explain his SMS, which stated that Ive hired the gunner, who killed Aleks. Less than 40 days passed after death of my husband, and his brother already started to divide his inheritance. But when we asked him to drive us to Litvinovo for Alekseys search in February, he pretended busy and refused to do so.

Has Nazarovs driver earned a lot?

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Not more than 50k rubles.

Did your husband tell you about gambling clubs? He mentioned sometimes that all casinos were prohibited, but Nazarov remained in this business

If Marat Mamyev will be released, do you think that he will help and support you?
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Do you think that I will live long enough to see his release? Speaking seriously, I wont phone him. Why should I do this? You know, once I saw Marat behind the bar screen and was shocked with his smile. He seemed to be content and happy. Laughing, he posed to cameras. Probably he has good conditions there And I still drink medicine to calm nerves down after death of my husband. My life has no sense without Aleksey. His parents want me to leave their house; I will have to move in the nearest future. And I have debt for the rent around 30k rubles. And I earn only 15 thousand a month. My mom works as a janitor. To be honest, I want to join my husband. I cant live without him. Probably that is why Im not afraid to tell you our story. I believe that if they kill me, I will be closer to Aleksey. But my friends are worried about me. Day and night they phone me and check, if everything is OK. Yesterday Aleksey came to me in my dreams. He was in white suit and looked good. He planned to go to Mamyevs Birthday. Its strange: Mamyev has never invited him to his Birthday parties.

Aleksey Prilepsky By Irina Bobrova