Viktor Gushan
{{Short description|Moldovan businessman (born 1962)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Viktor Gushan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|9|9|mf=y}}
| citizenship = Moldovan
Transnistrian
Russian
Ukrainian{{cite news | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-sheriff-tiraspol-murky-business/31516518.html | title=The Shadowy Business Empire Behind the Meteoric Rise of Sheriff Tiraspol | newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | date=October 19, 2021 | last1=Wesolowsky | first1=Tony }}
| occupation = Spy, businessman, police officer
}}
Viktor Anatolievich Gushan ({{langx|ru|link=no|Виктор Анатольевич Гушан}}; {{langx|ro|Victor Gușan}}; born September 9, 1962) is a Transnistrian businessman and former KGB officer with Moldovan, Russian and Ukrainian citizenship.
Biography
Gushan was born on September 9, 1962.{{cite web | url=http://profiles.rise.md/profile.php?id=200228194442&lang=rus | title=Profile: Виктор Гушан | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043825/https://profiles.rise.md/profile.php?id=200228194442&lang=rus | url-status=live }} According to some sources, he is of Moldovan descent.{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-opinii-23055383-neverland-nu-spus-scoala-despre-transnistria-taramul-uitat-timp.htm | title=Neverland: Ce nu v-au spus la şcoală despre Transnistria, tărâmul uitat de timp - HotNews.ro | date=March 28, 2019 }} He was a KGB officer,{{cite web | url=https://ziare.com/champions-league/sheriff-tiraspol/viktor-gusan-ofiter-kgb-republica-moldova-sheriff-tiraspol-victorie-champions-league-real-madrid-1702424 | title=Dezvăluiri incredibile | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=January 23, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123180534/https://ziare.com/champions-league/sheriff-tiraspol/viktor-gusan-ofiter-kgb-republica-moldova-sheriff-tiraspol-victorie-champions-league-real-madrid-1702424 | url-status=live }} where, according to some sources, he was known as the "Sheriff".{{cite web | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/06/05/transnistria-isnt-the-smugglers-paradise-it-used-to-be-sheriff-moldova-ukraine-tiraspol/ | title=Transnistria Isn't the Smuggler's Paradise It Used to be | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 1, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901160057/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/06/05/transnistria-isnt-the-smugglers-paradise-it-used-to-be-sheriff-moldova-ukraine-tiraspol/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://ziare.com/champions-league/sheriff-tiraspol/viktor-gusan-ofiter-kgb-republica-moldova-sheriff-tiraspol-victorie-champions-league-real-madrid-1702424 | title=Dezvăluiri incredibile | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=January 23, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123180534/https://ziare.com/champions-league/sheriff-tiraspol/viktor-gusan-ofiter-kgb-republica-moldova-sheriff-tiraspol-victorie-champions-league-real-madrid-1702424 | url-status=live }} According to other sources, he was a combatant in the Transnistria war, fighting on the side of the separatists and contributing to the arrest of members of the Ilașcu group.
In 1993, together with Ilya Kazmaly, he founded the Sheriff holding company, inspired either from his nickname or from his interests in the Wild West police force of the United States during the 19th century.{{cite news | url=https://theathletic.com/2823933/2022/08/26/fc-sheriff-moldova-manchester-united-europa/ | title=FC Sheriff: The Moldova minnows who beat Real Madrid and now face Man Utd | last1=Miller | first1=Nick }}{{cite news | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-sheriff-tiraspol-murky-business/31516518.html | title=The Shadowy Business Empire Behind the Meteoric Rise of Sheriff Tiraspol | newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | date=October 19, 2021 | last1=Wesolowsky | first1=Tony }}{{cite web | url=https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/24/08/2015/55d9d8ff9a79471bc5a2c8c0 | title=Совладельцы "Первого канала" создадут бизнес с приднестровским олигархом | date=August 24, 2015 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043819/https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/24/08/2015/55d9d8ff9a79471bc5a2c8c0 | url-status=live }} Since March 2012, Gushan has full control of the company and is its chairman.{{cite web | url=http://profiles.rise.md/profile.php?id=200228194442&lang=rus | title=Profile: Виктор Гушан | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043825/https://profiles.rise.md/profile.php?id=200228194442&lang=rus | url-status=live }} Initially, the company was active in the cigarette and alcohol trade, and subsequently expanded to other areas. Sheriff holds a monopoly on trade, oil, telecommunications and Transnistrian media. In 2021, the company controlled about 60% of the economy of Transnistria.
Gushan is one of the richest people in all former-Soviet countries, with his fortune estimated at $2 billion.{{cite web | url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2865641 | title=Приднестровье выбирало между вертикалью и вермишелью | date=November 30, 2015 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043821/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2865641 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.ng.ru/cis/2015-11-13/100_smi131115.html | title=Становление олигархических СМИ в Приднестровье | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043820/https://www.ng.ru/cis/2015-11-13/100_smi131115.html | url-status=live }} Besides Russia and Moldova (especially Transnistria), Gushan also has business in Ukraine, Cyprus and Germany (according to some sources he is also a German citizenCategory:German billionaires
).{{cite web | url=https://timpul.md/articol/separatism-pe-bani-mari-mafiotii-de-la-sheriff-si-au-deschis-zeci-de-firme-in-europa-cu-banii-furati-de-la-moldoveni-164582.html | title=Separatism pe bani mari. Mafioții de la Sheriff și-au deschis zeci de firme în Europa cu banii furați de la moldoveni | date=July 2021 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704180527/https://timpul.md/articol/separatism-pe-bani-mari-mafiotii-de-la-sheriff-si-au-deschis-zeci-de-firme-in-europa-cu-banii-furati-de-la-moldoveni-164582.html | url-status=live }} He also owns properties in the Odesa Oblast of Ukraine.{{cite web | url=https://www.playsport.ro/povestea-de-film-a-omului-de-afaceri-care-detine-sheriff-rege-la-tiraspol-persoana-non-grata-in-ue-69341 | title=Povestea de film a omului de afaceri care deține Sheriff. Rege la Tiraspol, persoana non-grata în UE | date=September 29, 2021 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704180527/https://www.playsport.ro/povestea-de-film-a-omului-de-afaceri-care-detine-sheriff-rege-la-tiraspol-persoana-non-grata-in-ue-69341 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://anticoruptie.md/ro/stiri/transnistrenii-viktor-gusan-si-ilya-kazmaly-risca-sa-ramana-fara-intertelecom-afacerea-lor-profitabila-din-ucraina?fbclid=IwAR2jC7vmQtPEnTYHGKYyNuUbIRBp2wITAgmwBleAGYCxp1LfbJjd0NPKUvY | title=Transnistrenii Viktor Gușan și Ilya Kazmaly riscă să rămână fără Intertelecom, afacerea lor profitabilă din Ucraina | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=May 6, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506192412/https://anticoruptie.md/ro/stiri/transnistrenii-viktor-gusan-si-ilya-kazmaly-risca-sa-ramana-fara-intertelecom-afacerea-lor-profitabila-din-ucraina?fbclid=IwAR2jC7vmQtPEnTYHGKYyNuUbIRBp2wITAgmwBleAGYCxp1LfbJjd0NPKUvY | url-status=live }}
The success of Sheriff was facilitated by former Transnistrian president Igor Smirnov, who exempted the company from paying customs duties. The company supports the political party Obnovlenie, which has held power in the Transnistria for years.{{cite web | url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/705963 | title=Приднестровский референдум выиграла старая гвардия | date=September 19, 2006 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043827/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/705963 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3169432 | title=Приднестровью облегчили последствия выбора | date=December 12, 2016 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043824/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3169432 | url-status=live }} During his tenure as President of Transnistria, Yevgeny Shevchuk criticized the Sheriff monopoly and accused Gushan of being involved in various criminal activities.{{cite web | url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3338071 | title=Экс-президент Приднестровья уплыл в бега | date=June 28, 2017 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043824/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3338071 | url-status=live }} After completing his mandate, Shevchuk fled Transnistria, accusing Gushan of trying to assassinate him.{{cite web | url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3338420 | title=Бывший глава Приднестровья заявил о готовившемся на него покушении | date=June 29, 2017 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043819/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3338420 | url-status=live }} Following the 2020 elections, Obnovlenie is the only party present in the Supreme Soviet of the Transnistria, thus concentrating all power in Gushan's hands.{{cite web | url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4593870 | title=Пришерифская молдавская республика | date=November 30, 2020 | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=December 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226110832/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4593870 | url-status=live }} For these reasons, Gushan is considered an oligarch,{{cite web | url=https://ziare.com/champions-league/sheriff-tiraspol/sheriff-tiraspol-gusan-oligarhi-rusi-echipa-sponsori-1702394 | title=Formația moldoveană a dat lovitura în Liga Campionilor | access-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-date=July 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704180528/https://ziare.com/champions-league/sheriff-tiraspol/sheriff-tiraspol-gusan-oligarhi-rusi-echipa-sponsori-1702394 | url-status=live }} or even the shadow leader of Transnistria.{{Citation |date=September 28, 2021 |publisher=Fanatik.ro |title=Averea secretă a omului din umbră de la Tiraspol şi problemele sale cu UE: interzis la victoria istorică a lui Sheriff cu Real Madrid » Fanatik.ro |url=https://www.fanatik.ro/averea-secreta-a-omului-din-umbra-de-la-tiraspol-si-problemele-sale-cu-ue-interzis-la-real-madrid-sheriff-19762193 |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704180529/https://www.fanatik.ro/averea-secreta-a-omului-din-umbra-de-la-tiraspol-si-problemele-sale-cu-ue-interzis-la-real-madrid-sheriff-19762193 |url-status=live }}{{Citation |date=July 1, 2016 |author1=Diana Răileanu |newspaper=Radio Europa Liberă |title="Republica Sheriff": o investigație despre afacerile oligarhilor transnistreni Victor Gușan și Ilia Kazmali |url=https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/27832030.html |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518212944/https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/27832030.html |url-status=live }}{{Citation |date=November 27, 2017 |publisher=www.kommersant.ru |language=ru |title=Приднестровье и Молдавия поговорили по-деловому |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3479847 |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930043818/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3479847 |url-status=live }}
He is also the president of FC Sheriff.
In March 2023, Romanian senator Claudiu Târziu wrote a letter to the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian citizenship for several Transnistrian figures, including Gushan.{{cite web | url=https://evz.ro/claudiu-tarziu-scrisoare-catre-volodimir-zelenski-retrageti-cetatenia-ucraineana-marionetelor-moscovei-din-transnistria.html | title=Claudiu Târziu, scrisoare către Volodimir Zelenski. "Retrageți cetățenia ucraineană marionetelor Moscovei din Transnistria!" | date=March 14, 2023 }}
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gushan, Viktor}}
Category:Transnistrian people of Moldovan descent
Category:Moldovan businesspeople
Category:Moldovan company founders
Category:Moldovan sports businesspeople
Category:Naturalized citizens of Germany
Category:Russian people of Moldovan descent
Category:Ukrainian people of Moldovan descent