To whom it may concern,
Russia is continuing its criminal war of aggression against Ukraine, killing civilians and attempting to destroy freedom and democracy. Yet, associates of Putin's regime, themselves or through their representatives, continue to hold Canadian visas, investments, assets, corporations, and utilize these resources in order to support war, do business in Russia, evade sanctions and exploit loopholes in Canada's immigration system.
This state of affairs, while causing serious concerns, is not possible without the support of members of Canadian businesses, professors of Canadian universities and corrupt immigration consultants. Here are some examples:
1. Apex Capital Partners, formerly known as APS Global Partners Inc., or in english. The president of Apex Capital Partners, as well as a licensed participant in ICCRC is Mr. Nuri Katz (Нури Катц), whose whereabouts are currently unknown. Mr. Katz is accused of collaborating with Vladimir Putin's regime, as he is an ambassador of Dominica in the Russian Federation, as well as an adviser of Dominica's prime minister on the Russian file. Currently, there is ample evidence that he was deriving benefits from his involvement in fraud and corruption schemes designed to provide second citizenship, money laundering, trust fund fraud and tax evasion services to corrupt Russian politicians and their families, as well as their associates from the business elite. There are also indications that along with the regular Dominica passports he gave Russia access to Dominica's diplomatic passports. More on the criminal activities of Nuri Katz are outlined in this article
2. Canada-Eurasia Chamber of Commerce (CECC), created after February 24 2022, which is a re-branded CERBA, which was used by Russian secret services to conduct economic intelligence and active influence measures on the Canadian government. To avoid association with Russia, CECC changed its name, logo, and avoided mentioning Russia in its description. It had also changed the concept of its operation, expanding its mandate to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Mongolia and other Eurasian countries. The main structure which supports the operations of CECC is Kazakhstan-Canada business council (similar to CERBA's "Russia-Canada business council). At the same time, former CERBA board members are now with CECC:
- Gilles Breton, former Canadian diplomat, who was posted to Moscow three times (last time as the deputy head of mission). He advocates for the restoration of the Canada-Russia relationship. He publishes explicitly anti-Ukrainian articles which put the blame for the deteriorated Canada-Russia relationship on Ukraine. He claims that the Canadian government is "pandering" to the Ukrainian diaspora, by demonstrating a harsh anti-Kremlin stance, while the limitations of ties with Russia are highly symbolic in nature.
- Piotr Dutkiewicz, a professor in Carleton University of Polish heritage, and the director of Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (EURUS). He graduated from Warsaw University as well as Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, and is a member of the expert council of Russian "Valday Club", meeting Putin and Medvedev on many occasions and maintains relations with Russian diplomats in Canada. Since September 20 2023 Valday Club was added to Canada's sanctions lists.
- Brian Ebel, a member of the board of advisors of CECC and an employee of Canada's embassy in Moscow,
- Nathan Lysons, a member of the board of advisors of CECC and an employee of Canada's embassy in Kazakhstan,
- Shokan Omarov, a member of the board of advisors of CECC and an employee of the Kazakhstan embassy in Canada.
3. Radhika Desai - a professor of the faculty of political science of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, as well as Alan Freeman, who together with Radhika are co-directing Research Group on Geopolitical Economics. They participated in the 29th annual conference of the International Discussion Club "Valdai" held in Sochi, Russia from 2nd to 5th of October 2023.
We are requesting that these individuals and companies be immediately investigated for the sanction breeches and for trading with Putin’s regime, supplying the weapons components along with informationa, propaganda and lobbying support. Specifically, we request that all clients of APEX be investigated for breach of sanctions as well as immigration fraud.
With sincere regards,
Kirill Lyagushev (Canada), Permanent representative in Canada of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies, President of Canadian Centre for Development of Democracy in Russia.
Ilya Ponomarev, Member of Russian State Duma, 2007 – 2016 (5th and 6th seating), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Vitaliy Skojbeda, member of the Leningrad City Council (21st seating, 1990-1993), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Alexander Osovtsov, member of the Moscow City Council (1990-1993), member of Russian State Duma (1st seating, 1993-1997), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Olga Kurnosova, member of the Leningrad City Council (21st seating, 1990-1993), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Dmitry Ushatsky, mayor of Ulyanovsk urbanized settlement, Leningrad region, 2009-2014, member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Petr Tsarkov, vice chair of Council of deputies of Krasnosel’sky district of Moscow, 2017-2022, member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Natalia Aleksandrovskaya, member of Moscow City Council (1990-1993), member of Moscow City Duma (1993-1997), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies,
Sergey Kovalev, member of the Leningrad City Council (21st seating, 1990-1993), Congress of People’s Deputies,
Alexandr Kiselevich, Council of deputies od Izmalkocsky municipal district of Lipetsk region (2013-2017), member of the Leningrad City Council (21st seating, 1990-1993), Congress of People’s Deputies,
Leonid Muratov, Novgorod Regional Duma (2011-2016), member of the Leningrad City Council (21st seating, 1990-1993), Congress of People’s Deputies,
Sergey Vlasenko, Vladivostok regional council (1983-1985), Congress of People’s Deputies,
Andrey Sidelnikov (UK), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies, President of SpeakUp! international sociopolitical organization.
Alexey Vilenc (Israel), member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of People’s Deputies, civic activist.
Dmytro Makienko (Canada), Vice President of Canadia Centre for Development of Democracy in Russia.