4 Bankers Convicted For Helping Putin's Friend

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Facts

  • Four unnamed bankers at the Zurich branch of Russia’s Gazprombank who allowed a friend of Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin to deposit huge sums in Swiss bank accounts have been found guilty of lacking due diligence.1
  • Renowned cellist and godfather to Putin’s eldest daughter, Sergei Roldugin — dubbed 'Putin’s wallet' by the Swiss government — deposited millions of francs in Swiss bank accounts between 2014 and 2016, with prosecutors alleging he wasn't the true owner of the funds.2
  • The musician’s financial affairs came to light in 2016 as part of the 'Panama Papers,' which revealed a network of offshore deals and loans worth $2B, with the trail allegedly leading to Putin.3
  • The former Gazprombank employees — three Russian-born and one Swiss-born, who couldn’t be named under Swiss law — were charged with failing to adequately check whether Roldugin actually owned the assets in the accounts. The defendants denied the charges.4
  • The bankers were given suspended sentences that, if violated, could lead to hundreds of thousands of Swiss francs in fines.  The public prosecutor’s office sought seven-month suspended prison sentences for the defendants.4

Sources: 1BBC News, 2Reuters, 3Guardian and 4Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by NBC. The Panama Papers revealed great information about a web of financial transactions connected to Vladimir Putin, and we now know that Sergei Roldugin, 'Putin’s wallet,' has been a key component in the Russian dictator's money laundering scheme. Roldugin has denied any wrongdoing, but the evidence against him is overwhelming, and all accomplices — even those who simply turned a blind eye — must be charged.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. The Panama Papers are stolen documents that don't reveal anything of value. Just like most stories involving Russia and Vladimir Putin, the Panama Papers were blown out of proportion leading to reckless speculation and this sham conviction. The fact that Sergey Roldugin is being called an accomplice of Putin because the two are friends is patently absurd.