Georgy Trefilov

Georgy Trefilov was born on 1 June 1971 in a family of civil servants. In 1988 he graduated from the comprehensive school No. 689 and entered the BMSTU (Moscow State Technical University named after Bauman), "Special machine engineering" faculty. In 1992 Trefilov interrupts his training and decides to start a business.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gazeta.ru/tags/trefilov_georgii.shtml|title=Трефилов Георгий Юрьевич}}{{cite web |url=http://www.vedomosti.ru/persons/5380/%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%B9%20%D0%A2%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2 |title=ВЕДОМОСТИ - Георгий Трефилов - биография, фото, новости |access-date=24 December 2013 |archive-date=25 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225192841/http://www.vedomosti.ru/persons/5380/%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%B9%20%D0%A2%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2 |url-status=dead }}

In 1992 Georgy Trefilov sets up a JSC "MARTA" and organizes the household and kitchen furniture manufacture in cooperation with his schoolmate Dmitry Oktyabrsky. Later the company changes its field of work, however the name remains the same – "MARTA" (Intersectoral Alternative Russian Trade Association; Russian: Межотраслевая Альтернативная Российская Торговая Ассоциация).{{Cite web|url=https://www.sostav.ru/articles/2007/12/27/ko2/|title=Октябрьские тезисы - Sostav.ru: Статьи о рекламе, маркетинге, PR|website=www.sostav.ru}}

After the financial crisis in 2001 Trefilov buys a subfranchise of the Dutch "SPAR"{{cite web |url=http://www2.moyo-delo.ru/disk/md/md/md48/md48-4.htm |title=Мое Дело. Магазин. Журнал для профессионалов торгового бизнеса №48 новости |access-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109143510/http://www2.moyo-delo.ru/disk/md/md/md48/md48-4.htm |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=dead }} supermarket chain from the Russian "Spar Retail"{{Cite journal|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/415361|title = Delta Capital передумала продавать супермаркеты Spar|journal = Коммерсантъ|date = 30 September 2003}} franchisee and opens the first supermarket of this kind. For the next 3 years the "MARTA" Holding opens 22 more supermarkets and the retail trading becomes company's main type of activity. After a while Trefilov's cooperation with "SPAR" breaks up. "Serious disagreements" with the Dutch partner{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/861287|title = Улетучивающийся голландец|date = 21 April 2003}} are said to be the reason.

In 2004 at the Moscow German-Russian economic summit Georgy Trefilov signs the framework agreement with the REWE Group about the creation of a joint venture company and the development of an international supermarket chain Billa{{Cite web|url=https://www.sostav.ru/articles/2005/07/29/mark290705-1/|title=Интервью: Ахим Эгнер, глава правления REWE Group - Sostav.ru: Статьи о рекламе, маркетинге, PR|website=www.sostav.ru}} in the presence of the President of Russia and the Federal chancellor of Germany.

In 2006 the "MARTA" Holding together with the "Vremya" company establish the "RTM" JSC. Trefilov was the chairman of board of directors in this company until March 2008. "RTM" has become a public company, having passed IPO in 2007.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/767774|title = РТМ прошла по нижней границе|journal = Коммерсантъ|date = 23 May 2007}}

In 2008 began the non-payments crisis for the "MARTA" Holding and other companies under Trefilov's control.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/716500|title = "Марта" облачилась в Pur Pur|journal = Коммерсантъ|date = 26 October 2006}}{{cite web|url=http://www.finmarket.ru/news/909077/|title=Холдинг "Марта" еще не банкрот, надеется на финансовое оздоровление|date=12 August 2008}} According to analysts the reason of the crisis was Trefilov's aggressive regional expansion{{cite web | url=http://bus.znate.ru/docs/index-29843.html?page=66 | title=NeNuDa.ru }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sostav.ru/news/2005/10/27/52/|title=Попадание "В яблочко". Холдинг "Марта" продолжает экспансию в регионы|website=www.sostav.ru}} that led the "MARTA" Holding to the dramatic increase in debt loading.{{Cite web|url=https://grainboard.ru/news/u-holdinga-marta-dobavilos-dolgov-161186|title=У холдинга «Марта» добавилось долгов|website=Grainboard.ru}}{{cite web|url=http://expert.ru/expert/2004/27/27ex-marta2_29323/|title = Не сошлись стратегиями}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sostav.ru/articles/2008/06/04/ko2/|title=Не для печати - Sostav.ru: Статьи о рекламе, маркетинге, PR|website=www.sostav.ru}}

Since autumn 2008 there is a time of general crisis of the Holding structures. Banks creditors (Alfa Bank, BTF, Sberbank, Sviaz-bank, Surgutneftegazbank, Rus’-bank, etc.) filed a lawsuit against Trefilov seeking to collect over 1,9 billion rubles. The bank representatives addressed personally to Trefilov as he acted as the warrantor for the loans in these banks.{{cite web |url=http://www.marker.ru/news/3768 |title=Банки требуют с экс-владельца обанкротившегося холдинга "Марта" 1,9 млрд руб. — Деловая газета "Маркер" |access-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109145228/http://marker.ru/news/3768 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bank.ru/publication/show/id/2342/ |title=Арбитражный суд Москвы признал банкротом дочернюю компанию холдинга Марта ООО Элекскор : Банк.ru |access-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109145025/http://bank.ru/publication/show/id/2342/ |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=dead }} Trefilov tried to keep the shares of the "RTM" JSC and at the same time he used these shares as a bank pledge. "MARTA Finance" bonds claim was repaid by the credit obtained from this activity. For this purpose the stocks were transferred to E. Vyrypayev (Э.Вырыпаев). In his turn Vyrypayev sold these stocks to "KIT Finance" and sent the received money to Trefilov, who used it to pay the bonds owners. It was followed with a public scandal{{cite web|url=http://www.rg.ru/2008/11/28/trefilov.html|title = Предприниматель Георгий Трефилов намерен взыскать через суд более 20 миллионов долларов| date=28 November 2008 }} concerning whether Vyrypayev or Trefilov would have the right of holding this stock of shares. This scandal led to the sharp decline of a stock value. Soon after the "RTM" JSC declared bankruptcy.{{cite web|url=http://kad.arbitr.ru/Card/2a1df908-5f86-4fb4-ad0b-3581188ed12f | access-date=2023-10-31 | title=о несостоятельности (банкротстве) организаций и граждан | language=ru}}

A criminal case was opened against Trefilov in 2009–2010 (Russian Federation Criminal Rule 176, part 1 and 159, part 4). 15 November 2010 the Investigative Committee of the MVD of Russia made the official statement concerning Georgy Trefilov, who was charged with fraud in absentia.{{cite web|url=http://www.vz.ru/society/2010/11/18/448425.html|title = Украл и сбежал}} According to that statement and the demands, Trefilov stole funds of several companies. Moreover, it was alleged that Trefilov provided some property to the banks as a security for loans, however this property was already encumbered previously several times or even wasn't his property at all. For example, the “Business group” JSC, which is controlled by Trefilov and is a part of the "MARTA" Holding, received a loan in excess of 1,3 billion rubles from six banks including Sberbank on the security of the same retail equipment of the supermarkets working under BILLA trade name. Several months before he was charged with fraud, Trefilov left Russia for Great Britain.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/international/2013/05/130516_trefilov_interview.shtml|title = Георгий Трефилов о фальшивом паспорте и экстрадиции|date = 16 May 2013}}

The Russian Federation Investigative Committee demanded Trefilov's extradition from Great Britain.{{cite web | url=http://www.agregator.pro/falshivyiy_pasport_ne_vyidast_biznesmena__v_rossii.1488302.html | title=Agregator.pro }}

16 November 2012 in London Trefilov won the case concerning his extradition to Russia, in Westminster Magistrate's Court. One item of evidence involved a recording, in which senior public prosecutor Victor Gvozdev attempted to extort the sum of $1 million from Trefilov, to be shared between a number of prosecution officials, purportedly to help closing the case. District Judge Nicholas Evans in his decision stated: “The level of corruption revealed by transcripts (of recorded conversations between Trevfilov’s’s contact in Russia and a senior investigator Mr Gvozdev) is just appalling.͟” Moreover, the Judge found that Trefilov established a good prima facie case of corporate raiding perpetrated against his business in Russia, which the Russian government failed to rebut.{{Cite web|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2012/12/18/52845-sudya-nikolas-evans-ya-prishel-v-uzhas-ot-urovnya-korruptsii-v-rossii|title=Судья Николас Эванс: Я пришел в ужас от уровня коррупции в России. Лондонский судья был потрясен, когда своими ушами услышал, как российские следователи вымогают взятки у российских бизнесменов. Публикуем стенограмму и имена участников беспрецедентного скандала|website=Новая газета}}

In March 2013 at the Gatwick Airport{{Cite web|url=https://lenta.ru/news/2013/03/22/arrest/|title=Бывший глава холдинга «Марта» арестован в аэропорту Лондона|website=Lenta.RU}} he was arrested for crossing the British border with a fake passport and a false ID card. In May 2013 at the Lewes city court Georgy Trefilov received a 1,5-year suspended prison sentence for using false documents. Trefilov says that, at the time, his wife was suffering from a "serious cancer illness" and part of her treatment was outside the UK. He used false documents because he was subject to an Interpol red notice and could have been deported to Russia if he had travelled under his own name. A "major mistake on my part" he says.{{cite web|url=https://www.george-trefilov.co.uk/criminal-proceedings-in-russia|title = Criminal Proceedings in England| date=15 March 2022 }}http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/article/444931/Georgy_trefilov_poluchil_uslovnyj_srok {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ria.ru/world/20130503/935748899.html|title = Трефилов приговорен к полутора годам условно за поддельные документы|date = 3 May 2013}}

Since 2010 Trefilov has been on the international wanted list. In March 2019, the Commission of Interpol issued a decision to remove Trefilov from its internationally wanted list on the basis that “the likelihood that his right to a due process of law, as established by Russian law and other applicable rules of law, may not have been respected,”

Trefilov lives with his family in London.{{cite web|url=http://rbcdaily.ru/market/562949988684662|title = Тогда я и попал в капкан}}

He is a senior operating manager of an Italian-themed restaurants group in London with five outlets. “We don’t own any property or have money in bank accounts, not here, not anywhere,” he told Forbes. “People seem to think I am very rich but I lost everything in Russia. I was the owner and creator of a big business worth more than £1bn. It was stolen from me and I came to the UK with my family with no money and started to created businesses again.”

{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewcave/2018/05/03/my-life-on-vladimir-putins-most-wanted-list/|title = Life on Vladimir Putin's Most Wanted List|website = Forbes}}

12 December 2012 a criminal case against the senior public prosecutor Victor Gvozdev was opened. He is said to have received $50 000 from Trefilov for the suspension of the criminal proceeding.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rospres.com/corruption/11619/ |title=Новости Руспрес - Трефилов из Лондона добился ареста Виктора Гвоздева |access-date=24 December 2013 |archive-date=26 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226002407/http://www.rospres.com/corruption/11619/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/55960.html|title = Новая газета - novayagazeta.ru}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/79000.html|title=Новая газета - novayagazeta.ru}} On 24 January 2014 he was found guilty and given a 4 years suspended sentence with accordance to article 159 part 4 of the Russian Criminal Code (Large scale fraud).{{cite web|url=http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2013/10/30/1193865.html|title = Коррупционная история оказалась мошенничеством}} He admitted his guilt during the course of the case. The investigation established that Gvozdev entered negotiations with Trefilov while being in retirement.

Trefilov was quoted in a blog written by another Russian exile, Andrey Borodin, as saying: “This is how they do business – at first they create problems, then they valiantly resolve them. Needless to say, they won’t do this for free. The case is instigated in the interests of and at the expense of a “sponsor”, and to close [the case] you can "request" money from someone else."

None of Trefilov’s accusations about the involvement of others from the General Prosecutor’s Office in V. Gvozdev’s actions were accepted during the investigation or in court, including with respect to former investigator I. Konovalova, who for several years was in charge of the fraud case against Trefilov.{{cite web|url=http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2013/03/29/1111592.html|title = Сигнал о коррупции в МВД пришел из Англии}} The whole investigative unit of the Investigation Committee was disbanded several months before Trefilov’s appeal.

In 2013 the REWE concern in the commercial court of Austria charged Trefilov with falsification and the attempt of illegal use of the contract. According to its conditions, the REWE concern supposedly undertook an obligation to redeem Trefilov's Grossmart distribution network at an obviously high price.{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/77879644-6df2-11dd-b5df-0000779fd18c,dwp_uuid=e8477cc4-c820-11db-b0dc-000b5df10621.html |title=FT.com / Mergermarket - Marta legal battle looms with RTM as former partners fall out |access-date=24 December 2013 |archive-date=22 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822014532/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/77879644-6df2-11dd-b5df-0000779fd18c,dwp_uuid=e8477cc4-c820-11db-b0dc-000b5df10621.html |url-status=dead }} In REWE representatives’ claim, Trefilov used a forged contract to receive the bridge financing in one of the British investment funds and also in a Russian bank.http://www.lands-sale.com/real_estate/Georgy_Trefilov_proved_that_did_not_sell_25_Bill_Rush_5306 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://diepresse.com/home/wirtschaft/economist/kordiconomy/465207/Billa-in-Moskau_Ein-Fall-fuer-den-Staatsanwalt|title = Billa in Moskau: Ein Fall für den Staatsanwalt|date = 27 March 2009}}

In 2014, by the decision of the District Court of Modling, Austria, the proceedings against Trefilov were discontinued without finding of criminal liability on his part.

In January 2014 Alfa-Bank appealed to London's High Court with a claim against Trefilov seeking to collect approximately 600 million rubles worth of loans and interests. The Russian bank demanded recognition of a court decision about Trefilov's liability as a guarantor for the debts of his company "Elekskor" LLC (a subsidiary of the MARTA Holding).{{cite web|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2014/1806.html |title=Open Joint Stock Company Alfa-Bank v Georgy Trefilov [2014] EWHC 1806 (Comm) (04 June 2014) |publisher=Bailii.org |date= |accessdate=2022-09-07}}

On 4 June 2014 the London High Court reviewed the case and ruled in favour of Alfa-Bank.{{cite web |url=http://www.wragge-law.com/insights/finance-litigation-briefing-june-2014-report-and-r/ |title=Finance litigation briefing June 2014: Report and review on the latest cases and issues | Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714143530/http://www.wragge-law.com/insights/finance-litigation-briefing-june-2014-report-and-r/ |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}

The total amount of claims to be paid is 521.44 million rubles (including 153.2 million rubles of accrued interest). By the court's decision Trefilov must pay this amount by 25 June 2014. This includes a clause where “in the case of no repayment by set date a further statutory interest is applied at the rate set by the Russian Central Bank (8.25%).”{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/articles/2014/06/05/alfa-bank-napomnil-georgiyu-trefilovu-o-poruchitelstve|title=Альфа-банк напомнил Георгию Трефилову о поручительстве|date=5 June 2014|website=Ведомости}}

Trefilov has been married with his second wife Yuliya Trefilova since 2005. He has four daughters from both marriages.{{cite web|url=http://www.rg.ru/2013/05/04/trefilov-anons.html|title = В Великобритании бизнесмен Трефилов приговорен к полутора годам условно}}{{cite web|url=http://whoiswho.dp.ru/cart/person/380058/|title = Трефилов Георгий Юрьевич биография и пресс-портрет}}

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• [https://www.george-trefilov.co.uk/ Official website]

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Category:Prisoners and detainees of Russia

Category:Russian prisoners and detainees

Category:Bauman Moscow State Technical University alumni

Category:Russian businesspeople in the United Kingdom