Alisher Usmanov – an Uzbek-born Russian tycoon
If you have been closely following the news around the world for the past months, you must have already heard of the name Alisher Usmanov. A ferrous metal and mining tycoon, Russia’s 18th richest man, Alisher Usmanov seems to change the world by purchasing everything he can. Being one of the leaders of Gazprom, which has very shady reputation in business world, having a capital of $ 5.5 billion and having a 6 years prison term, Usmanov is one of the leading figures in Russian economic life and have very strong influence to the politics both inside and outside Russia. There are rumors that it is Alisher Usmanov who plays a role of a link between Uzbekistani and Russian governments, as Usmanov is ethnic Uzbek and was born in Uzbekistan (Namangan, Chust).
The reason why Alisher Usmanov’s name is constantly appearing in media is because of his recent three big purchases. First, Usmanov bought a right for the use of a collection of old Soviet cartoons and donated it to the newly emerged Russian TV channel for kids. Usmanov did not declare the cost of the bargain, but specialists say that it is not small number. Second, Alisher Usmanov brought back the famous collection of Rostropovich from France to Russia reportedly paying £20 million purchasing it before the auction. Third, Usmanov bought a 14.6 per cent stake in Arsenal for £75 million from David Dein, the club’s former vice-chairman. Don’t you think it is too much for the past two months?
There is another reason why the whole world, especially European blogging community, often talks about this shady figure. It is all because of the case when a blog of Craig Murray, a former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, was censored and closed after he put very controversial post about Alisher Usmanov in his blog. In his post, Cragie Murrey accused Usmanov of being a ‘vicious thug, criminal, racketeer, heroin trafficker and accused rapist’, which of course caused a negative reaction from Usmanov’s side. The actions of the London law firm Schillings that specializes in media, internet, new media and particularly defamation law, and reportedly controlled by Usmanov, resulted in taking offline Murray’s and some other peoples blogs.
Bloggers of the whole world reacted to this very negatively. Everyone is talking about the human rights and freedom of speech. There is a blog especially designed with the sole purpose of debating on this issue.
The accusations that Craig Murray wrote in his post against Alisher Usmanov have shifted from online discussion to real politics, as Tom Wise, Member of European Parliament publicly said:
Allegedly a gangster and racketeer, he [Usmanov] served a six year jail sentence in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, his eventual pardon coming at the behest of Usbek mafia chief and heroin overlord Gafur Rachimov, described as Usmanov’s mentor.
While foreign bloggers and politicians continue accusing Alisher Usmanov of being very shady person, Uzbek internet users support him (RUS). The reason is, first of all, him being Uzbek and secondly, him being a link between Uzbekistan and Russia, a relationship that is very important for Uzbekistan. In general, Usmanov has pretty good reputation in Uzbekistan. Moreover, there are rumors that Usmanov and president Karimov are close friends and bound by many common experiences.
on September 27th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Great article, thanks - it’s good to see what Uzbeks think. What’s got me concerned here in the UK is that Usmanov’s legal whizzkids have managed to persuade ISPs to close down Murray’s website even though (as yet) there has been no case lodged against him. What has happened to due process and freedom of speech here in the UK?! I’m worried about it as another sign of the erosion of civil liberties by a government seduced by big business.
The other thing that’s worrying pundits, I suspect, is that he’s bought a stake in Arsenal. OK, I don’t care about Arsenal per se, but there is a lot of concern about foreign tycoons who have “shady pasts” getting involved in the football money game - first Roman Abramovich at Chelski and most recently Thaksin Shinawatra, subject of a Thai arrest warrant in August for a variety of crimes, who bought up Man City to the horror of many fans. While the injections of money these tycoons bring is good news for the clubs, people are concerned about the reputation of English football, not least after various scandals in recent years. And Usmanov being close to Karimov is not very reassuring.
So my question back to Libertad, is whether you think our concern is justified, or is it just national suspicion of foreigners and we should give Usmanov a chance?
on September 27th, 2007 at 7:22 am
First of all, I am really sorry that our desire to make money have changed the nature of football, the greatest sport ever, dramatically to the negative side making it serve for our commercial purposes.
However, I dont think that there is too much to be worried about. Thise guys know how to make money and they will never put their money to areas where they are not completely sure that it will give them profits. This is obvious. Secondly, the only way they can get profits out of footbal teams is by making them develop (new players, promotion of brand, etc) and win different competetions. Look at what Abramovich is doing with Chelsea. Initially, when he was buying the team, there were the same worries about foreign “shady tycoons” involving in English football. But look, Chelsea is doing great now!
So, CXW, I do not think that there are serious grounds for worring. Just wait for the battle of two Russian tycoons on the stadiums of Arsenal and Chelsea. Since, I am a supporter of Chelsea, i think it will be interesting to watch
on September 27th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Thanks, Libertad. No need for you to apologise about the increasingly money-polluted state of English football - we’re quite good at creating our own problems
Maybe Usmanov, like Abramovich, needs some better PR guys rather than coming on heavy with lawyers - or just buy up some good players and win a trophy or three; the fans will become a lot more positive about him then.
Roll on December 15 for the clash of tycoons
on September 27th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Impatiently waiting for it
on September 28th, 2007 at 12:20 am
BTW, The Guardian published an article quoting the Arsenal Chairman yesterday, and speaking out pretty bluntly against Usmanov’s involvement:
Think that about sums up my feelings about the guy, rightly or wrongly. Also looks like Usmanov’s legal beagles are being kept on the leash, so no biting Craig Murray at the moment:
This one is going to run for quite a while, I suspect.
on September 28th, 2007 at 1:41 am
I am Uzbek, I am agree He was prisoned, but note during Soviet Time, And the Reason was Political not Crime. He is doing right things against Craig Murray, C. Murray has been sacked from his Ambassador position to Uzbekistan by Mr Tony Blair and now Mr Murray is blaming anything related to Uzbekistan.
on September 28th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
He’s a crook, and enemy of free speach. And he’s not wanted at my football club. He should feck off and buy Dinamo Kiev if he’s that keen! Of the two, I would believe Craig Murray.
on September 28th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
He’s a crook, and enemy of free speach. And he’s not wanted at my football club. He should feck off and buy Dinamo Kiev if he’s that keen! Of the two, I would believe Craig Murray. He, after all, has the proof to back up his allegations. All Usmanov has are his lawyers.
on May 23rd, 2008 at 4:19 am
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