Suleymanov's detention in Moscow: billionaire suspected of murder

On Friday, October 3, it became known that billionaire Ibrahim Suleymanov was detained in Moscow. He is suspected of murder, but the details of the case have not been disclosed. What is known about Ibragim Suleymanov, as well as what he is accused of, is in the Izvestia article.

The criminal case against Ibragim Suleymanov: what is known

On October 3, TASS, citing law enforcement agencies, reported on the detention of billionaire Ibrahim Suleymanov: "Ibrahim Suleymanov has been detained in Moscow, he is suspected of committing a crime under Article 105 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (murder)."

Later, the Izvestia source also clarified that it was a crime committed in 2004. The businessman was arrested on October 2, it is also reported that Suleymanov was detained by the Interior Ministry and the FSB, and his criminal case was transferred to the central office of the Investigative Committee.

There is no official information about whose murder Suleymanov is accused of. However, according to Telegram Channel 112, we are talking about the murder of Georgy Tal, who in the early 2000s headed the Federal Financial Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy Service and was involved in the bankruptcy of the capital's airports. Two days ago, the perpetrator of the crime, 55—year-old Abakar D., was detained and he testified against Suleymanov.

Georgy Tal was shot at in the center of Moscow. He was seriously injured and died in hospital a few hours later.

Suleymanov's involvement in the murder of Vnukovo Airlines CEO Gennady Borisov in the same year 2024 is also being considered. The businessman's body was found with multiple stab wounds.

Previous convictions of Ibragim Suleymanov

Today's detention is not the first in Ibragim Suleymanov's life. He already has a criminal record. In 2007, the billionaire and his partner Tatevos Surinov were charged under Parts 1 and 4 of Articles 159 of the Criminal Code ("Fraud") and under Article 174 of the Criminal Code ("Money laundering"). According to media reports, in 2002, they acquired an automated air traffic control system from the French company Thomson, installed at Kazan International Airport, using a shell company, CJSC GPA Kit. Then the damage amounted to more than $4.5 million, and the Basmanny court sentenced the partners to 10 years in prison. Suleymanov was released on parole in 2015.

It was also reported that in 2002 Suleymanov and Surinov were involved in a case related to the Rodeo-Auto dealership in the Vnukovo airport building, the damage from the crime amounted to more than 1.6 million rubles. During the search, an unregistered pistol was found in Suleymanov's possession.

What is known about Ibragim Suleymanov

Ibragim Suleymanov was born in Dagestan in 1967. Since the 1990s, he has been building a business in the transport and aviation sectors and was one of the founders of the Rosaviakonsorcium, which controlled most of the air transportation.

Despite serving his sentence, he was able to retain his influence and assets. According to Russian media reports, in 2024, Ibrahim and his son Rasul were beneficiaries of Sirena-Travel, a large IT company (the largest provider of IT solutions to the aviation industry. The Leonardo system is listed in the portfolio, which provides flight schedule management, as well as ticket sales. Up to 80% of all flights in Russia are booked through Leonardo).

It is also reported that Ibragim Suleymanov is the son—in-law of Platon Lebedev, who was previously a partner of Mikhail Khodorkovsky's foreign agent (recognized by the Ministry of Justice as a foreign agent).

In addition, according to Spark, Ibrahim Suleymanov has stakes in Mixwell LLC (24.8%; an e-commerce platform for the travel industry) and Universus LLC (40%; its activities include consulting on commercial activities and management).