Christopher Steele, the author of the (in)famous Trump dossier, is right to say Britain has been ‘behind the curve’ when it comes to combating the threat posed by Russia. The UK’s political parties are being targeted by the Kremlin, he told Tory MP Damian Collins on his ‘Infotagion’ podcast, in a bid ‘to create great polarity, great partisanship, and divisions within political life’. But while dodgy donations and cyber-hacking of our parties has been well covered, Steele also touched on a lesser-know but equally malign influence Russia is playing in Britain.

‘Black PR,’ he said, has ‘grown and spread like a contagion’ from Russia ‘out into Western Europe, and into the Western world and Western democracies.’ Black PR emerged in Russia in the 1990s and, broadly put, describes the practices that were associated with the introduction of competitive (if not democratic) elections there. Waged by political consultants – or so-called ‘political technologists’ – black PR made use of kompromat (compromising material), character assassination, fake news, blackmail, the manipulation of public opinion, and a myriad of other questionable practices. It was intended to advantage the political technologists’ clients, who were frequently candidates in local, regional, and federal elections. Whatever it did, however, black PR stretched the country’s ethical, moral, and legal boundaries to their limits – often redrawing them in the process.

Some of the political technologists’ first clients were actually modernisers; those individuals who believed Russia had to progress as quickly as possible, and who claimed – publicly, at least – that the country should seek to reform along Western lines. But since he came to power in 2000, Vladimir Putin has centralised and systematised these practices in the Kremlin. He has taken control of opposition groups, ideologies, and movements, bringing so-called ‘opposition’ political parties under the Kremlin’s control. All of this has been part of the effort to convince Russians there is no alternative to Putin, who also just happens to be their saviour.

This work was led by Vladislav Surkov. Surkov was one of the original political technologists, working for the oligarchs Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Boris Berezovsky throughout the 1990s. In 1999, however, Surkov joined the Kremlin. Soon after, Putin forced Berezovsky into exile and jailed Khodorkovsky, and Surkov helped run the PR campaign. For almost two decades, Surkov coordinated the Kremlin’s activities, first as deputy head of the presidential administration and later deputy prime minister, and then as Putin’s personal advisor.

As Putin gradually hollowed-out and then removed competitive elections – as part of the process of creating what Surkov called a system of ‘managed democracy’ – political technologists moved from politics to business to ply their trade. At the same time, Russia’s authorities and regime insiders began to use a host of black PR-style tactics – such as fake news, kompromat, bribery, forgery, corruption, and intimidation – to steal companies from their legal owners, a practice known as reiderstvo (corporate raiding). As a result, black PR is now, to use Steele’s language, ‘a feature of Russian business life and business life associated with Russian actors.’

ESPAÑOL DISPONIBLE AQUÍ

At the conference, Free Russia Foundation will release its groundbreaking report detailing Russian attempts to influence Western judicial outcomes and the Kremlin’s active measures campaigns against Western policymaking institutions.

Report’s authors Ilya Zaslavskiy, Head of Research, Free Russia Foundation (Russia, US), Jakub Janda, Director, European Values Think Tank (the Czech Republic), Martin Vladimirov, Analyst, Center for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria), John Lough, Associate Fellow, Chatham House (UK) and Neil Barnett, Founder, Istok Associates (UK) will discuss the results of their investigations in a Q&A session with the audience.

Please join us for a public discussion of the Kremlin’s attacks on legal institutions and processes in the West, and consideration of effective counter strategies that can be adopted by government agencies, social media platforms and the civil society. Featuring Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Keating, Rep. Kinzinger, Rep. Rooney, Daniel Kimmage, Principal Deputy Coordinator, Global Engagement Center, Department of State, current and former military and intelligence officials, and social media companies’ representatives.

Event: 

STRATEGIES TO DEFEND DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN THE WEST

Date And Time:

You can watch the stream:

Starting at 9:30 a.m. on Thu, June 13, 2019

AGENDA:

Moderated by Todd Rosenblum, National Security Outcomes

9:30 am – Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:40 – 10:15 am – Keynote Addresses

Senator Whitehouse

Rep. Keating

Rep. Kinzinger

Daniel Kimmage, Principal Deputy Coordinator, Global Engagement Center, Department of State

Rep. Rooney

10:15 – 11:15 am – Panel One: Attacks on Legal Institutions and Processes in the West

Melissa Hooper, HRF

Ilya Zaslavskiy, FRF

John Lough, Chatham House – Russia’s co-opting of UN-sponsored anti-corruption agency, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, commonly known by its Spanish acronym “CICIG.”

Ed Lemon, Wilson Center and Daniel Morgan Graduate School

Neil Barnett, Istok Associates

11:15 – 11:25 am – Coffee Break

11:25 – 12:25 pm – Panel Two: Russian Active Measures and Manipulation of Western Policy

Jeremy Lamoreaux, Brigham Young University – Idaho

Martin Vladimirov, Center for the study of Democracy

Jakub Janda, European Values Think Tank

Clay Fuller, AEI

Anna Borshchevskaya, Senior Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

12:25 – 12:35 pm – Coffee Break

12:35 – 1:35 pm – Panel Three: Effective Counter Strategies and Lessons Learned

Andrew Gully, Jigsaw, Head of R&D

Roman Pyatkov, Headquarters Air Force, Checkmate at the Pentagon

Krista Taubert, Head of World News and Current Affairs, Yle (Finland)

Bryan Bender, Defense Editor, Politico

Chris Marsh, Joint Special Operations University

1:35 pm – Closing Remarks

David Kramer, FRF Board Chair

Miriam Lanskoy, NED

About Free Russia Foundation

Free Russia Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization working to:

Advance the vision of a democratic, prosperous and peaceful Russia governed by the rule of law by educating the next generation of Russian leaders committed to these ideals;

Strengthen civil society in Russia and defend human rights activists persecuted by the Russian government; and

Support formulation of an effective and sustainable Russia policy in the United States and Europe by educating policy makers and informing public debate.

Read more at www.4freerussia.org

About Human Rights First

Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges the United States to live up to its ideals.

Read more at www.humanrightsfirst.org

About The Henry M. Jackson Foundation

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation fosters effective leadership on key issues of national and global importance, particularly: Climate change, energy, and natural resources Human rights International affairs education Public service.

Read more at www.hmjackson.org

Speech by John Lough, Chatham House

Russia’s co-opting of UN-sponsored anti-corruption agency, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, commonly known by its Spanish acronym “CICIG.”

ENGLISH AVAILABLE HERE

En la conferencia, la Free Russia Foundation publicará su informe innovador que detalla los intentos de Rusia de influir en los resultados judiciales occidentales y las campañas de medidas activas del Kremlin contra las instituciones de formulación de políticas occidentales.

Los autores del informe, Ilya Zaslavskiy, Jefe de Investigación, Free Russia Foundation (Rusia, EE. UU.), Jakub Janda, Director, European Value Values ​​Tank (República Checa), Martin Vladimirov, Analista, Centro para el Estudio de la Democracia (Bulgaria), John Lough El miembro asociado, Chatham House (Reino Unido) y Neil Barnett, fundador de Istok Associates (Reino Unido) analizarán los resultados de sus investigaciones en una sesión de preguntas y respuestas con el público.

Únase a nosotros para una discusión pública sobre los ataques del Kremlin a instituciones y procesos legales en Occidente, y para considerar estrategias efectivas de contraataque que puedan ser adoptadas por agencias gubernamentales, plataformas de medios sociales y la sociedad civil. Con el Senador Whitehouse, el Representante Keating, el Representante Kinzinger, el Representante Rooney, Daniel Kimmage, el Coordinador Adjunto Principal, el Centro de Participación Global, el Departamento de Estado, los actuales y ex oficiales de inteligencia y militares, y los representantes de las compañías de medios sociales.

Evento:

Estrategias para defender las instituciones democráticas y el estado de derecho en el oeste

Fecha Y Hora:

Juzgue usted cómo Iván Velásquez OCULTO pruebas que demostraban la inocencia de la familia Bitkov condenados como “supuestos” responsables de falsificar documentos quedando HOY descubierto que es el bufete CUTINO INTERNACIONAL el verdadero responsable de traficar con miles de migrantes lo cual NUNCA investigó CICIG ya que se ha señalado que Mayra Veliz secretaria de la ex fiscal general Thelma Aldana integra dicha estructura.

A continuación puede observar el momento que Irina Bitkova denunció corrupción dentro de CICIG directamente a Ivan Velasquez Gomez y entregó las pruebas y evidencias por escrito en el 2016 directamente a Iván Velásquez Gómez haciéndole también entrega de pruebas de la persecución y cartas de senadores americanos como de Bill Browder lo cual respalda su dicho.

ACTUALIZACIÓN

#IMPORTANTE
Ahora que sabemos que #CICIG y #FECI trabajan para #Moscú entendemos por qué @Ivan_Velasquez_ ocultó pruebas que demostraban la inocencia de la familia Bitkov y encubre a la estructura #CUTINO donde hasta la fecha Mayra Veliz está impune junto a otros funcionarios

Tribunal ordena investigar a Mayra Véliz por caso Bitkov

Al concluir la sentencia contra el ruso, Igor Bitkov, el tribunal señaló que debe investigarse a Mayra Véliz y a diez personas más de forma inmediata.

Estos son los detalles:https://t.co/X3Of0PiH5l pic.twitter.com/ufyEhleKKN

— Soy 502 (@soy_502) December 29, 2018

#URGENTE Tribunal de Sentencia Penal de Mayor Riesgo Grupo "D" #ORDENA investigar #inmediatamente a Mayra Véliz exsecretaria de Thelma Aldana junto a más de 13 funcionarios públicos que #CICIG y #FECI encubrieron durante el juicio de @Igor_Bitkov así como en el #CasoMigración. pic.twitter.com/wHCNuk1124

— Support The Bitkovs (@SupportBitkovs) December 31, 2018

Moscow infiltrates institutions with the goal of destabilizing democracy.

The West was alarmed when Russia escalated its conflict with Ukraine last month by seizing three Ukrainian navy vessels. Russia launched the attack despite a 2003 treaty allowing Ukrainian ships to pass through the Kerch Strait.

This brazen offensive is a reminder that Vladimir Putin is bent on reviving the Cold War to strengthen his hold on power. His ambitions aren’t limited to Europe and the Middle East. In Latin America creeping intervention from Moscow is designed to damage U.S. interests by destabilizing liberal democracy.

President Trump’s refusal to meet with Mr. Putin at the Group of 20 Summit in Buenos Aires sent the right signal of disapproval. But a more muscular U.S. policy is needed, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.

It’s fashionable to pooh-pooh warnings about a Russian threat in Latin America. Some Kremlin efforts have indeed fallen flat. Reuters calculates that Moscow and state-owned Rosneft have lent Venezuela $17 billion since 2006. But Russia is not receiving the oil shipments from the Venezuelan state-owned company PdVSA that it was promised as repayment. And it hasn’t escaped Russia’s notice that Venezuela is repaying its debts to China, according to Reuters. Rosneft head Igor Sechin reportedly flew to Caracas last week to dress down dictator Nicolás Maduro and the deadbeats at PdVSA.

Yet the Putin crowd is tenacious and crafty. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in February, the head of U.S. Southern Command, Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, warned that “Russia’s increased role in our hemisphere is particularly concerning, given its intelligence and cyber capabilities” and its “intent to upend international stability and order and discredit democratic institutions.”

The admiral, who retired last month, noted that in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, “expanded port and logistics access” allows Russia “persistent, pernicious presence, including more-frequent maritime intelligence collection and visible force projection in the Western Hemisphere.”

In October, the head of the defense committee in Russia’s lower house of Parliament said that Moscow is contemplating a military base in Cuba. That could be saber-rattling. But as Adm. Tidd warned, “Left unchecked, Russian access and placement could eventually transition from a regional spoiler to a critical threat to the U.S. homeland.”

Equally troubling is the timeless Russian practice of using propaganda as a weapon. The admiral hit on this when he described Moscow’s “two dedicated Spanish-language news and multimedia services” and its “influence campaigns,” which seek “to sway public sentiment” in the region. This agitprop is paired with the infiltration of institutions.

Last month Russia’s effort to install one of its own at the head of Interpol drew widespread condemnation from the West. Only last-minute wrangling saved the international law-enforcement organization from certain destruction under the leadership of Alexander Prokopchuk, a Russian interior ministry official who is currently an Interpol vice president. A letter from a bipartisan group of U.S. senators warned, among other things, that putting Mr. Prokopchuk in charge at Interpol would “bolster the Kremlin’s ability to harass critics living outside of Russia.”

It’s a familiar narrative in Guatemala. The Kremlin has successfully burrowed into the United Nations organization known as the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, or CICIG. The evidence emerged in the case of the Russian family of Igor Bitkov, whom I wrote about in March and April.

The Bitkovs, who owned a business in Kaliningrad, refused to meet the extortion demands of Mr. Putin. They fled their homeland and in 2009 started life anew in Guatemala. Putin gangsters followed and enlisted CICIG to persecute them.

Details of CICIG’s human-rights violations at Russia’s behest were aired in an April congressional hearing. It was established that the Bitkovs had been victims of human traffickers. In May Florida Sen. Marco Rubio put a hold on U.S. funding for CICIG, requesting new oversight protocols on an institution that had gone rogue.

Unfortunately, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, lifted that hold in August while logrolling with Democrats. CICIG saw the new money as a green light for its Russia dirty work.

On Wednesday Mr. Bitkov will again be dragged by CICIG before a Guatemalan judge, this time on the absurd charge of using the driver’s license and credit cards he secured when he believed himself in the country legally. The only explanation for such nonsense is that Mr. Putin demands his pound of flesh.

Russia is now pushing for an extradition treaty with Guatemala. Meanwhile, a source inside the Guatemalan government told me last week that Russia has been trying to increase its influence by offering “weapons, equipment, training and technology.” Guatemala has thus far refused the “help,” but Moscow is unlikely to give up there or anywhere else in America’s backyard if the U.S. doesn’t object.

Write to O’Grady@wsj.com.

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-latin-american-offensive-1543786397

Russia’s Latin American Offensive – WSJ
And still hunting Igor Bitkov https://t.co/CKHP7pN0UB

— MaryAnastasiaO'Grady (@MaryAnastasiaOG) December 2, 2018

El siete de noviembre del año dos mil diesiocho el  medio ruso “www.rospres.com” publico su artículo titulado “ВТБ откупается от обвинений в вымогательстве миллиарда” (VTB cancela cargos de extorsión mil millones). A continuación encontrará evidencias irrefutables que comprueban la injerencia del Kremlin directamente hacia CICIG para lograr investigar y perseguir a la familia Bitkov.

CICIG Y EL BANCO ESTATAL RUSO VTB INVESTIGADOS POR COMISIÓN DE HELSINKI EN WASHINGTON

Como ustedes conocen el Banco Estatal Ruso VTB es manejado personalmente por el Presidente de Rusia Vladimir Putin quien ha destinado su confianza nombrando como presidente de dicha institución bancaria al señor Kostin Andrey Leonidovich el cual por la lealtad que le rinde a Vladimir Putin ha recibido su tercer reconocimiento por  SUS “Méritos hacia la Patria” , por lo que podemos concluir que es el hombre de confianza que de Putin.

LA REPUTACIÓN DUDOSA DEL BANCO ESTATAL RUSO VTB Y SU PRESIDENTE ANDREY KOSTIN

La reputación del Banco Estatal VTB a nivel mundial y bancario es dudosa en virtud que la institución financiera ha sido sancionada por Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea de tal forma que los ciudadanos de estos países no pueden tener ningún negocio con el banco Estatal Ruso VTB.

Si hablamos de la reputación del presidente de VTB Bank Andrey Kostin ésta se vio sumamente comprometida por el escándalo que desató el caso de la familia Bitkov en Guatemala la cual es perseguida por el Banco Ruso VTB como un largo brazo de la injerencia del Kremlin en América, razón por la cual el cual en abril de 2018 Estados Unidos endureció las sanciones contra Rusia incluyendo los activos de Kostin en los Estados Unidos están congelados prohibiendole ingresar al EE.UU.

Treasury designates 7 Russian oligarchs, 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian officials & a weapons trading company and its bank, in response to Russia’s worldwide malign activity: https://t.co/qBeXOOSZ6t

— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) April 6, 2018

¿POR QUÉ EL BANCO ESTATAL RUSO VTB ES ES EL LARGO BRAZO DEL KREMLIN PARA PERSEGUIR A LA FAMILIA BITKOV?

1.VTB FUE QUIEN CONTRATÓ A CICIG para crear una causa penal de gran impacto.

VTB descubrió Bitkov en Guatemala en 2014, la pareja vivía allí con documentos de otras personas. El Banco del Estado tuvo que involucrar a la Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad (CICIG), que opera bajo los auspicios de la ONU, para investigar sus actividades. En enero de este año, Bitkov y su hija Anastasia, un tribunal guatemalteco, fueron condenados por utilizar documentos falsos … Igor Bitkov recibió 19 años de prisión, Irina y Anastasia, 14 cada uno. (Fuente: https://www.rospres.com/politics/25837/)

2. CICIG AYUDÓ A VTB a constituirse como querellantes adhesivos dentro de un proceso de Uso de documentos “supuestamente falsos”  Aduciendo de una “supuesta estafa” cometida por los esposos Bitkov en Rusia lo cual mas adelante resultó ser falso, ya que dicha entidad bancaria fue expulsada del proceso penal por falta de pruebas en contra de la familia Bitkov.

3. La Familia Bitkov es perseguida política del gobierno de Rusia.  Y como arma de persecución utiliza el Kremlin al Banco Estatal Ruso VTB. 

EL BANCO ESTATAL RUSO VTB Y SU LOBBY FRACASADO EN WASHINGTON 

VTB Bank después de la introducción de las sanciones estadounidenses contra su presidente, Andrei Kostin, redujo drásticamente la actividad de cabildeo en este país. De abril a septiembre de 2018, pagó al bufete de abogados estadounidense Sidley Austin, que representa sus intereses, $ 164.9 mil. Esto es casi dos veces menos que en el período del informe anterior: de octubre de 2017 a marzo de 2018, cuando los gastos alcanzaron los $ 307,000, según datos del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos.  (Fuente: https://www.rospres.com/politics/25837/)

EE.UU. EXIGE QUE LOBISTAS HABLEN DE LOS CONTACTOS QUE REPRESENTAN

La ley de EE. UU. Exige que los agentes extranjeros hablen sobre contactos con políticos y funcionarios locales en interés de clientes extranjeros.

Sidley Austin informó que por casi $ 165 mil ha hecho una cosa por VTB: el 26 de abril, la compañía envió un correo electrónico en nombre del banco a la Comisión de Helsinki para pedirles que presentaran la posición del banco ruso en una audiencia en Washington llamada “Injusticia de brazo largo: es la Comisión de la ONU”. La corrupción ayudó al Kremlin a destruir a la familia rusa “.

La Comisión para la Seguridad y la Cooperación en Europa, también conocida como la Comisión de Helsinki, es un organismo del gobierno de los EE. UU. Que tiene como objetivo proteger los derechos humanos, mantener la seguridad y desarrollar la cooperación entre los países de Europa, Eurasia y América del Norte. Está compuesto por nueve senadores, nueve congresistas y tres empleados del gobierno de los Estados Unidos.

DESPUÉS DE LA COMISIÓN DE HELSINKI EL BUFETE QUE REPRESENTABA AL BANCO RUSO VTB RESCINDIÓ EL CONTRATO DE REPRESENTACIÓN

Se ha publicado una carta (. Pdf ) en el sitio web de la Comisión de Helsinki, el jefe del departamento legal de VTB, el vicepresidente senior Alexei Lozovoy, en el que niega cualquier acusación contra el banco.

Los representantes de  VTB aducen que no recibieron ningún aviso o invitación a la audiencia el 26 de abril y se enteró de ellos “en los tweets de William Browder”. pero a pesar de NO saber nada VTB envió su carta a la  Comisión de Helsinki!.

Según informó la agencia Ruspress , William Browder , condenado en Rusia en ausencia, habló en las audiencias de la comisión , afirmando que en Guatemala el empresario era el “brazo de Moscú” y su enjuiciamiento penal estaba estructurado en la misma línea que el caso Magnitsky .

Después de las audiencias, el copresidente de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Congreso de los Estados Unidos, James McGovern, y el miembro del comité de asuntos exteriores del Congreso, Elliot Ingle, hicieron un llamamiento a Jimmy Morales, Presidente de Guatemala, para que otorgue asilo político a los miembros de la familia Bitkov.

Tras los resultados de las audiencias del 26 de abril, la Comisión de Helsinki recomendó a los Estados Unidos rechazar las contribuciones al trabajo de la CICIG.

Los abogados de Sidley Austin no tuvieron ningún otro contacto con las autoridades estadounidenses en interés de VTB, ni siquiera intentaron cuestionar la inclusión del jefe de VTB Andrei Kostin en la lista de sanciones.

Esto sucedió en abril, cuando Estados Unidos endureció las sanciones contra Rusia. Los activos de Kostin en los Estados Unidos están congelados, y el propio banquero tiene prohibido ingresar al país.

Sidley Austin era el único agente (Lobbista) de VTBen los Estados Unidos. Hasta el 30 de junio, el banco ruso colaboró ​​con los cabilderos de Washington, Mandatos etc., pero el contrato fue rescindido y terminado en forma anticipada a petición de Sidley Austin.  El motivo es desconocido , pero usted puede juzgar por qué se negó el bufete de abogados americano a NO querer representar ni nacer lobby para el banco corrupto VTB.

Fuente: https://www.rospres.com/politics/25837/

Por lo anterior ha quedado evidenciado según las propias declaraciones del banco ruso VTB que: 

• El Banco Estatal Ruso VTB y Su presidente Andrei Kostin una vez fueron objeto de las sanciones de EE.UU y la Unión Europea abiertamente han manifestado que CONTRATARON a CICIG para investigar y perseguir a la familia Bitkov.

• Sidley Austin lobbista americano contratado por VTB, hizo una carta por $165,000.00 dólares americanos para presentarla ante la Comisión de Helsinki en la Audiencia de Emergencia denominada “EL LARGO BRAZO DE LA INJUSTICIA” el Viernes 27 de abril de 2018 9:15 am Edificio de oficinas Rayburn House, habitación 2172  Washington , DC Estados Unidos.

• La Injerencia de VTB (Kremlin) al contratar a CICIG logró que a la familia Bitkov le sentenciarán a condenas brutales de 14 y 19 años de prisión por el USO DE DOCUMENTOS DE IDENTIFICACIÓN oficiales los cuales nunca fueron redargüido de nulidad o falsedad.

Russian enabler alert: US law firm Sidley Austin was paid $165,000 to write one letter on behalf of VTB Bank to US Helsinki Commission arguing in favor of the Bitkov family’s persecution in Guatemala where they received 19 years for ‘passport violations’ https://t.co/p0tBf5ZMO9

— Bill Browder (@Billbrowder) November 12, 2018

The powerful influence of the Kremlin to punish the Bitkovs with brutal punishments has left a mark that today comes to light.

The judge Erika Aifan in charge of controlling the investigation made by the Public Ministry and the International Commission Against Impunity -CICIG- informed the Kremlin of the sentences that Igor Bitkov and Irina Bitkova would receive before their trial was concluded.

Request of the Kremlin

Translation (English) Petition of the KremlinJud

EMBASSY
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
IN THE REPUBLIC OF
GUATEMALA

Consular Section

The Russian Federation Embassy in the Republic of Guatemala very kindly Salutes the Honorable Foreigns Affaires Minister -General Direction of Legal Issues, International Treaties and Translations- and has the honor of ask you for information regarding about the possible condemnations preview to the crimes imputed to Mr Igor Bitkov and Mrs Irina Bitkova.

The Embassy thanks you in advance for the attention disposed to this matter and profits the ovation to reiterate to the Honorable Ministry the Testimony of its highest and distinguished consideration

Guatemala City, May 16, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA
GENERAL DIRECTION
OF LEGAL ISSUES, INTERNATIONAL
TREATIES AND TRANSLATIONS

Three months prior to the Bitkovs verdict being issued, Judge Ericka Aifan personally informed the Kremlin of the possible prison sentences that the Bitkovs would be facing.

English translation below

Guatemala, Octuber 5^th, 2017

Mister
Mario Sandoval Rivera
Coordinator of the Special Procedures Section
Criminal Chamber
His Office

Unique number 01071-2010-001644
Rogatory Letter 01004-2017-01088 Requesting State: Russia

In a kindly way I address to you with the means to communicate you the result of the letter sent to this Judicature on October 3^rd, 2017, coming from the Sub Secretary of the Supreme Court of Justice in which we are order to comply with the ordered on the resolution dated September 13^th of 2017 emanated of the Presidency of the Judicial Organism and of the Supreme Court of Justice, to issue a report related to the possible condemnations preview for the crimes imputed to the Russian Citizens IGOR BITKOV and IRINA BITKOVA.

From the foregoing, I allow myself to report the following, both defendants were sen to trial for the crimes of USURPATION OF CIVIL STATUS, USE OF FORGED DOCUMENTS and SUPPRESSION AND ALTERATION (sic), these crimes have the following penalties provided:

USURPATION OF THE CIVIL STATUS: Regulated in article 241 of the Penal Code, which establishes that who commits this crime will be punished with imprisonment of two to five years.

USE OF FORGED DOCUMENTS: Regulated in Article 325 of the Criminal Code, which establishes that whoever commits this crime will be punished with imprisonment of one to three years.

SUPPRESSION AND ALTERATION (sic): Regulated in Article 240 of the Criminal Code, which establishes that whoever commits this crime will be punished with imprisonment of five to eight years and a fine of Q.100,000 to Q.500,000 quetzales.

Without another particular,

ABOGADA ERIKA LORENA AIFAN DAVILA
FIRST JUDGMENT OF FIRST CRIMINAL INSTANCE, NARCOACTIVITY AND OFFENSES AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE HIGHEST RISK PROCESSES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GUATEMALA “D”

Telephone 2426-7000 extension 3442

Seal that says: Special Procedures Section
Criminal Chamber, Supreme Court of Justice
10 OCT 2017