Olafs Berkis

The last person, with whom Timur Jamaldayev – a close acquaintance of the Chechen businessman Bislan Abdulmuslimov – met before his arrest and subsequent deportation from Latvia on August 3, is Ventspils millionaire Olafs Berkis.

Believing that the July 26 decision to deport him and another person close to Abdylmuslimov is related to the division of political and economic influence, Jamaldayev wanted to use Berkis’ contacts in law enforcement institutions and political backstage, including Unity, to prevent it, Pietiek reports.

Several days after the deportation, the owner of TM security Martins Tenbergs, who is considered as Berkis’ guarantee, contacted a number of his personal political party sponsors. He was hoping to use the sponsors to influence politicians, so that they would not be involved in a possible discussion about the justification of the deportation and the real reasons, the portal was told by reliable sources.

Jamaldayev and Berkis met at 12 o’clock on the ground floor of Sky&More at the Cup&Cino café on August 3. Their conversation was not long, because several State border guard operatives and civil-dressed security service operatives arrived at the café several minutes after the two met, to detain Jamaldayev.

Berkis did not give a clear answer to whether or not he confirms the meeting and what was the purpose. In his usual ironic manner, which he uses to dodge uncomfortable questions, Berkis joked that he and Jamaldayev were «discussing the transit of illegal martians to the Chechen Republic using Ventspils port». Even though Berkis tried to make the impression that the thought of his involvement with the deported Jamaldayev is absurd, their meeting is hard to explain.

It is clear from reliable sources that Berkis’ and Jamaldayev’s recent history has them cooperating on at least one business deal, for which he could be thankful to «Bislan’s people». One or two years ago, Jamaldayev helped Berkis reclaim some debt from the territory of some former USSR Republic.

Debt return service, according to Lursoft, is the official business of Bars Security Inkasso – owned by Jamaldayev and the other deported person – Sergey Novozilov. Bars Security Inkasso is part of Bislan Abdulmuslimov’s AB Holding; its legal address is the same for the holding – Duntes Street 11.

The fact that Berkis turned to Jamaldayev to resolve his debt issue and not TM security is explained by the fact that Bislan’s people have better contacts and opportunities in former Soviet countries. TM security became known in winter of 2010, when Ventspils was hit by the war for Ventbunkers. An incident took place at Riga airport in December, when Jurmala residing Chechen businessman Arbi Indorbayev allegedly threatened Vladimir Antonov’s (former owner of Latvijas Krajbanka) father, whose visit to Latvia was organized by Bislan Abdulmuslimov. After the incident, Indorbayev’s security was guaranteed by TM security.

According to the information published on the official website of the so called Repse’s association, aka for Latvia’s development, Berkis is mentioned as a businessman and patron, Chairman of the Council of Ventbunkers, who is also managing several dozens of Latvian companies. Formerly related to the influence in Unity, Berkis distanced himself from the party. He and other millionaires founded an association that could grow into a full party and take part in the next Saeima elections. This step is related to the dissatisfaction that his contacts in Unity, for example, the former Economy Minister Artis Kampars, under whose leadership the Economy Ministry made decisions that were beneficial for the business of the Ventspils man, no longer have real power and influence in decision making.

Ref: 102.109.109.3048