Dmitry Kuronov: “Lusya copied all the collected information - bank statements, video camera footage - onto a flash drive and gave it to me.”
The scandal surrounding the millions and real estate of businesswoman Lyudmila Bratash continues. Nikita Dzhigurda intends to confirm his rights to her inheritance in court. The showman blames her driver for the death of Bratash. We spoke with the driver of the deceased, Dmitry Kuronov, and his wife to find out their version of the mysterious events.
Nikita Dzhigurda.
The death of 56-year-old businesswoman Lyudmila Bratash could easily get lost in the news reports. The woman died on February 14, 2016. Forensic experts concluded - traumatic brain injury. And they explained: a fall from one’s own height. Nothing supernatural. In recent years, Bratash has been drinking heavily. Due to the lack of criminal charges, they did not initiate a case.
The banal story would hardly have continued if Nikita Dzhigurda had not appeared in the story. After the death of the once successful lady, the actor burst into confession. He stated that Bratash was his son’s godmother and his closest family friend, and bequeathed her entire multimillion-dollar fortune to him. Further more.
Dzhigurda believes that it was not alcohol that killed Lyudmila Bratash; the woman could have been killed by her personal driver Dmitry. The actor also blames his girlfriend and her sister for the death. The showman put forward different versions: “the driver was going to marry her,” “he wanted to take possession of Bratash’s fortune,” “all the most valuable things from her safe were missing,” “the will was stolen.” His words would hardly have been given due attention if Dzhigurda had not appeared in court with a will allegedly drawn up by the deceased. It says that the entire Bratash inheritance goes to Nikita Dzhigurda. Now the actor intends to seek the movable and immovable property of Lyudmila Bratash through the court.
Lyudmila Bratash.
We met with the same driver, the late Dmitry, and his wife Liana. These people presented their version of the tragic events.
To understand who Lyudmila Bratash is, you need to rewind the time film. About 20 years ago. Dashing 90s. It was then that Lyudmila Bratash made a dizzying career. A woman rose to the occasion when she founded a private luxury air travel company. Everything acquired through backbreaking labor is just from the past. Bratash's clients included Boris Berezovsky, Roman Abramovich, famous bankers, businessmen, oil workers, famous artists, and presidents of different countries. Over many years of work, Lyudmila has amassed a decent amount of capital.
The 2000s made their own adjustments. Oligarchs began to buy their own yachts and planes. And they no longer needed Bratash’s services.
The once successful businesswoman found herself out of work. Lyudmila was thrown overboard from a luxurious life. But Bratash knew how to count money. That’s why I didn’t throw everything I had accumulated down the drain. The woman invested in real estate - she bought three luxury apartments in Moscow and one in Paris, bought jewelry, and deposited part of the funds in banks at interest. Provided myself with a financial cushion for a rainy day. It seemed like she had everything figured out. She couldn’t calculate one thing, that a dark day would come for her much earlier than she could have imagined.
“Many of Marina Anisina’s circle did not understand her choice. Perhaps Nikita had some influence on her.”
“Lucy felt sorry for Anisina, that’s why she helped her family”
We met with Dmitry Kuronov and his wife Liana in their apartment. An ordinary five-story building, far from being in the very central area of Moscow. The decor is spartan. Treats include instant coffee, marshmallows, gingerbread, cigarettes.
Look at how people live who, as Dzhigurda claims, stole the deceased’s millions,” Dmitry laughs. - I'm unemployed now. Who thought that Lucy would pass away so quickly, and that I, in turn, would lose my job so soon. I didn’t really have time to save anything. I haven’t gotten a job in the last 8 months.
- The case was closed, right?
After the fuss that Dzhigurda raised, inspections resumed. Do you think the case was closed quickly? No matter how it is. The investigation lasted a long time. At first they thought that Lyudmila could really have been killed by thieves for profit. But these assumptions are shallow. Bratash lived in an elite area, the yard was guarded, there was a permit system. Strangers did not get inside.
- As far as I understand, you are the first person to find Bratash dead in the apartment? Were you the one who called the police?
Yes, on February 15 I came to Lyudmila. It was my first working day of the week. She usually opened the door when I arrived. This time the door was locked. I called. No one answered. I went down to the security guard and asked if Bratash had left the house. Then we called the shift supervisor and called the HOA superintendent. I had spare keys to her apartment in my car. But I hardly used them. This time I took the keys, we opened the door and saw the body. They called an ambulance, a local police officer and the police. The investigation team arrived, and it began...
Nikita Dzhigurda beats himself on the chest, claims that he was the closest person to the deceased. How close were they?
Dmitriy:“Maybe he considered himself one, only for the last two years he did not appear in her life.” I admit that Lyusya called Marina Anisina, but not Dzhigurda. I was with Lyusya all the time, she shared everything with me. I'll tell you one story. In 2014, trouble happened to Lyusya. She broke her leg. She was operated on. My wife brought home-cooked food to the Lyuse clinic every day. I carried her in a wheelchair for six months because she refused to develop her leg. Then we nursed her at home. I took her to bandages and massages. During the entire time that Lyusya was being treated, Dzhigurda never visited her, did not call, or inquired about her health. Anisina dropped into the hospital once for 5 minutes. Nikita appeared at Lyudmila’s house a few months before her death.
Lyudmila Bratash started drinking out of loneliness.
- How did Lyudmila Bratash even meet Dzhigurda?
Dmitry's wife, Liana, joins the conversation: - Lyudmila at one time lived in France, where she ran an air transportation business. I bought myself an apartment in Paris. At some event she met Marina Anisina. The girls became friends. There was no trace of Dzhigurda then. Then Anisina began to come to Russia more and more often, and on a television project she met Dzhigurda. Love-carrot spun. We decided to get married. But there wasn’t much money. And they have not yet acquired their own housing. Then Lyusya offered them her country house in Novakhov, a village between Rublyovka and New Riga, for their wedding celebration. Later, Anisina and Dzhigurda often used this house. For example, all the filming that Marina did in Moscow at that time took place in Lucy’s house. This is how Dzhigurda began to enter the Bratash house.
- Did Bratash often help the Dzhigurda-Anisin couple?
Often. When Anisina sold her house in France, Lyusya helped them look for an apartment in Moscow. They communicated closely at one time. Lucy even went on vacation with them to Turkey. In January 2014, Dzhigurda shared with Lyusya that he was going to go to the Maidan, but for this he needed money. I asked Bratash. She refused: “I don’t play such games.” According to Bratash, Nikita often asked her for money for his projects. And a couple of years ago, Marina and Nikita turned to Lyusa again. Marina asked Lucy for 250 thousand euros to buy real estate in Greece. She also begged to be her guarantor at a bank in France. Bratash was afraid of loans, so she did not meet them halfway. They seem to have bought the property. Lucina, a good friend in Greece, the owner of a real estate company, helped them. I don’t presume to say, but it seems they never paid for the apartment in full.
- Why did Bratash help them if she was not confident in these people?
Lyusya felt sorry for Anisin. After all, the circle of her acquaintances never accepted Dzhigurda. Many of Marina’s circle did not understand her choice. Moreover, there were plenty of contenders for her hand and heart. Perhaps Nikita had some influence on her. I only heard him coming and constantly shouting to her: “Kuma. Kuma..."
- Was Lyudmila generous?
Not to say that Lucy was very generous, but she supported her close people. How many times did she tell me: “Go to France, relax there. You will live in my house, I will provide you with everything.” But I always kept my distance. Understand, we are ordinary people, it is inconvenient for us to use other people's benefits. Although she and I became friends.
Dmitriy:- We have two daughters, so Lucy constantly repeated: “Let the girls choose any place on the world map and go, I will pay for everything.” I’ve been communicating with Bratash for more than 20 years. During this time we managed to practically become close. But nevertheless, I always respected the chain of command. In public he called her by her first name and patronymic. Lucy really helped people a lot. For example, she paid for her employee to give birth in an expensive clinic, and helped another employee buy an apartment. She did not refuse if her friends needed something. And it goes a long way, she paid for my hip replacement surgery.
- Was Bratash really as rich as they say? Or are these already legends?
Dmitriy:- Lucy had her own airline for private transportation. She rented planes from the Cosmos company that transported astronauts. These planes were no longer flying much at that time, and they were parked on the airport grounds. Lucy suggested extending the life of the liners. At my own expense, I converted the interiors of ordinary Tues into VIP ones. And its planes began to be in great demand.
Liana:- Lyusya told me that Berezovsky used her planes to take prisoners out of Chechnya. The private airline Bratash did not stand idle even for a day. Lucy worked around the clock. Well, she made a very decent capital.
Lyudmila Bratash (right) once owned a private air transportation company.
“Men used her and betrayed her”
- It is known that Lyudmila Bratash drank. When did she start drinking?
Dmitriy:- Lucy has been drinking heavily for the last ten years. At first her business began to fade away. But with her money and brains it was possible to exist comfortably until old age. And open a new business. But she said: “I can’t run my own airline anymore, and I don’t want to do anything small.” It seems to me that she started drinking out of loneliness. She was an interesting woman, there were a lot of men hanging around her, but everyone wanted to get something out of her, she didn’t feel any love for herself.
- Did no one have feelings for her?
She had a man, a Frenchman, Philippe. I know him well, we still communicate. She loved him. And he is hers. They could have had a family, but Philip left her. He was tired of her endless feasts. I personally took her to restaurants and buffets. Lyusya was always the last customer after whom the restaurant was closed. She had binges. One day she flew in from France and I met her at the airport. So she could not walk to the car on her own feet. She was carried on a trolley by airport staff. And there are plenty of such stories. After all, all her friends turned away from her precisely for this reason. Lucy didn't know how to drink much. And the drunken Bratash was not the most amiable interlocutor.
Liana:“You wouldn’t wish as much betrayal as Lucy endured on your enemy.” She was going through a breakup with Philip. She cried that he betrayed her and abandoned her. Everyone betrayed her. But she crossed out those people who betrayed her from her life. About 20 years ago she was robbed - money and jewelry were stolen from her safe. She then had an apartment on Kutuzovskaya. Lucy knew the girl who cleaned her out. But she did not write a statement to the police. I felt sorry for her children. But she immediately stopped communicating with that madam.
- Why didn’t Bratash give birth?
Liana:- Lucy wanted children, but apparently it didn’t work out. One day she showed me a photograph of two girls. They were 7–8 years old. She looked after them at the boarding school. I thought about adopting. For what reason I changed my mind, I don’t know. The absence of children is another personal tragedy for Bratash. But she didn't talk about this topic. Perhaps that’s why she loved other people’s children so much. After all, she had as many as 5 godchildren, whom she spoiled and showered with gifts.
- Did she understand that she was drinking herself?
Dmitriy:- Of course, I understood. I told her: “Lyudmila, with your money you can be cured of any disease.” We offered her treatment, but she brushed it off: “It’s all a scam.” She didn’t even let doctors near her when they wanted to put IVs on her.
- Dzhigurda says that she has started drinking in recent years. Maybe he didn't know the true state of affairs?
He knew everything. In 2012, Lyusya went on vacation with Dzhigurda and Anisina to Greece. Marina called me from there: “Dima, what should I do? Lyusya is naked in the room, lying on the floor covered in bruises and drunk.”
- Could a drunken Lyudmila be persuaded to do something?
Liana:- Lucy was very demanding and stubborn. She always did only what she wanted, she never listened to anyone in her life. She was very principled. And she always controlled everything in any condition.
- Didn’t she indulge in drugs?
She always told me, I will drink as much as I want, but I have never smoked or tried drugs in my life. She was proud of this. And in this regard there was flint.
Bratash with Pavel Bure (left).
“250 thousand euros and jewelry were missing from the safe. Documents for Moscow real estate were also stolen."
Let's restore the chronology of events. So, Nikita Dzhigurda disappears from Bratash’s life for two years and reappears on the eve of the last New Year.
Liana:- Dzhigurda and Anisina showed up in December last year. The fact is that Lucy always prepared gifts for her five godchildren. For Dzhigurda’s children, although she was godmother to only one of them, she had accumulated a bunch of gifts in two years. They were in boxes in the room. At the end of December, Marina came to Lyusya’s home. According to Bratash, Anisina complained to her that there was no money at all and there was nothing to transport children to school in France. Marina then asked Lyusya to give her her car in Paris, so that she would have something to carry the kids around.
Dmitriy:- I came to Bratash on December 21. Lyusya told me from the doorway that she had given the car to Marina. Well, she gave it and gave it away, I only advised to re-register the car in Anisina’s name so that Lyusya would not have to pay taxes.
- Were you well acquainted with Anisina and Dzhigurda?
We knew each other well. We communicated with them normally. There were no previous conflicts. Nikita always seemed strange to me, but nothing more. Everything changed after the New Year. On December 27, Dzhigurda called me: “We are taking Lucy to our place for the New Year so that you can rest for the holidays.” I was surprised. Lyudmila let me go anyway until January 10th. For the holidays, my wife and I were planning to go to my mother-in-law in Bryansk. On January 1, before leaving for vacation, I stopped by Bratash, because I left a shower stall in her garage - a gift for my mother-in-law. A security guard met me: “Dzhigurda has been with Lyudmila since yesterday evening.” I went up to the apartment. I was met by a surprised Dzhigurda. Lucy was lying on the bed in a tracksuit. Nikita grabbed Bratash by the arms and began to talk some kind of heresy like “Lucy was our angel yesterday.” I took a closer look at Nikita, he seemed sober. Therefore, I didn’t have any bad thoughts. I left them and went home. In the evening of the same day, the security guard at the house called me again, informing me that Lucy was being taken away somewhere. I rushed to Bratash. Opened the door. There are only dogs in the house. This seemed strange to me. Previously, Lucy had never left dogs alone. If she was away for a long time, she gave the animals to me. Just in case, I decided to check the safe. I took out a spare key. Lucy completely trusted me, so I knew where the keys were. I opened the safe, and it was empty.
- What was kept in the safe?
There was about 250 thousand euros in cash and jewelry. Lucy herself estimated the contents of the safe at 600 thousand euros. I started calling Anisina, Lyusya, Nikita. Phones were unavailable. Later, Marina, who was in France at that moment, contacted me. She promised to look into the situation. I calmed down a little. I took Lyusya’s dogs, and my wife and I left for Bryansk.
Liana:“When I found out that the safe was empty, I immediately thought that something was fishy here.” Knowing Lucy, one could assume that she could give money to the same Dzhigurda, but giving away the entire contents of the safe to anyone and being left with nothing is not about her.
Dmitriy:- Lucy never threw money away, even when drunk. In any condition, she counted money.
Liana:- In a state of alcoholic intoxication, she could forget where she put the ring and earrings. Her husband sometimes returned from her with the words: “Today we were looking for a bracelet all day. Found”, “Lost earrings. Found." The only thing Bratash didn’t find was an expensive ring. It disappeared in Turkey, during her vacation with the Dzhigurda couple. Lyusya then thought that she had put the jewelry in the pocket of her tracksuit, and it fell out.
- Bratash’s last savings were kept in that safe?
No, there were still bank accounts. But Lucy still wouldn’t give up her expensive watch or her 5-carat diamond ring.
- In the end, did you find Lyudmila?
On January 2, Anisina called and said that Dzhigurda had assigned Lyusya to a closed clinic where she would be treated for alcoholism. We later learned that Bratash was admitted to the clinic only on the evening of January 3. Where she was for two days is unknown.
Dmitriy:- There was also a strange story with the clinic. When I asked Dzhigurda the address of the hospital, he flatly refused to give it. That's when I suspected something was wrong. I contacted Lyudmila’s sister, Svetlana, who lives in Belarus. He notified her that money had disappeared from Bratash’s apartment, and Dzhigurda took Lucy herself away in an unknown direction. Sveta arrived in Moscow, and on January 5 we called the police. On the same day, we discovered another loss - documents for the Moscow real estate of Bratash disappeared.
Jewelry that disappeared from Lyudmila Bratash's safe.
-Dzhigurda was called in for questioning?
Liana:- He was checked and released. Lyusya made herself known only on January 8th. She called her sister and said that she would be back in a couple of days. But we didn’t see her at the appointed time. Then Svetlana again contacted the police. She asked me to find Lucy. She was told that Bratash wrote a note at the clinic saying she didn’t want to see her sister. In turn, Dzhigurda ordered the security guard of the house where Bratash lived not to let my husband into the territory, also on the basis of some kind of note allegedly from Lucy. Then they began to accuse Dmitry of theft.
- When did Bratash return from the clinic?
In total, Lucy spent more than a week in the clinic. Then she came back and sent me a text message asking me to bring the dogs. I arrived at her house and found Lucy in a state of prostration. She could barely move her tongue and seemed inhibited. I started asking her: “What happened? Do you know that your money and jewelry are missing? Dmitry is blamed for everything.” She nodded: “I know. Only two people enter my house - Dmitry and Dzhigurda. Maybe I hid it myself.” There was no point in further conversation. I understood that Lucy had not yet fully come to her senses. The only thing I reminded her of was: “Dzhigurda said that you fired Dimka.” She was surprised: “I didn’t fire anyone.” With that we said goodbye.
- After Bratash returned from the clinic, where was Dzhigurda?
Dzhigurda and Anisina did not leave Lucy a single step. They were next to her in the apartment all the time. No one was allowed near her. And on the first day after Lucy returned from the clinic, Nikita bought her cider: “A little bit is okay.” Bratash’s sister Svetlana, who had not yet managed to leave back to Belarus, told us all this. And on January 17, Dzhigurda practically escorted Sveta out of the house.
- Did Dzhigurda contact the police about the missing money?
He called the police. I demanded that Lyudmila write a statement that my husband had robbed her. Lucy refused. Bratash then broke off communication with us. She rarely called me, and only when Nikita was not around. He didn’t let her go one step away from him. Only on January 28 did I receive a text message from Lucy: “Come with Dima. Nikita went to France." And on January 30, she wrote to her husband: “Dima, 100 percent this is not you. Dzhigurda made a fool of himself.” We have saved this message. This coming weekend we came to see Lucy. Bratash has finally come to her senses. And she asked in a business-like manner: “Tell me what happened here.”
Based on such a will, Nikita Dzhigurda intends to fight for the inheritance of the late Bratash.
“Nikita was not interested in where or when Lucy would be buried. At this time he was giving interviews"
Liana:- We told her everything from the very beginning. Lyusya, in turn, said that not only did the money disappear from the safe, almost 500 thousand rubles were written off from her accounts. She then made a request to the banks where and when money was withdrawn from the cards. I found out that on January 2, 156 thousand were withdrawn from one card, 200 thousand from another and 120 thousand from a third. She also asked to view the CCTV cameras installed above the ATMs where money was withdrawn. We have preserved these photographs. The pictures show Dzhigurda and his driver. Nikita later said that he withdrew money to pay for Lyudmila’s treatment at the clinic.
- Where did he get the code for the card?
The codes were kept in a safe. Lucy also tried to get a bill from the clinic for her treatment. I sent requests there. But I never received an answer. By the way, when we asked Lucy if she was really treated there for alcoholism, she rolled her eyes: “They gave me masks, massages, and that’s all.” Later it turned out that the clinic where Lucy was hospitalized specialized in weight loss programs.
Dmitriy:“When I told Lucy that in addition to money and jewelry, documents for apartments had also disappeared from her office, she was shocked. In a matter of days, we began to restore documents and carry out transactions so that no one could make any transactions with real estate. In Dzhigurda's absence, Lucy met with influential acquaintances and consulted on all these issues. She made an inventory of the missing property and was going to go to the police to file a statement. She copied all the collected information - statements from Sberbank, video footage - onto a flash drive and gave it to me: “Let you have it too.”
- Was Marina Anisina aware of what happened? She was in France after all.
According to Lucy, she called Anisina and told her about her suspicions. Marinka answered calmly, saying that if Nikita took the money, she would divorce him. That's all. We assume that Anisina could know everything. For example, when Sister Bratash was looking for the clinic where Lucy was admitted, she called Dzhigurda. He shouted into the phone: “You’re late, everything has already been transferred to us. You're nothing at all." Sveta then contacted Anisina. And she repeated the same words as Nikita. It was then that we realized that Marina was aware of Nikita’s affairs.
- After the trip to France, did Dzhigurda contact Bratash?
Nikita no longer contacted Lyudmila. Didn't come and didn't call. And do you know what the catch of this whole story is? Lucy never had time to write a statement to the police. So whoever got the jewelry and money was very lucky. I am no one Bratash and have no right to write statements. Lyudmila's sister never saw the contents of the safe. Therefore, the topic of theft was closed by itself.
- Do you remember what Lyudmila Bratash did the day before her death? Maybe you noticed something strange in her behavior?
Liana:- On February 14, she called us in the morning and asked us to come visit. She complained of a headache. We then realized that she had started drinking again. Lucy asked her husband to bring a bottle of white wine. We brought it, otherwise she would have ordered a box of vodka via the Internet, as she usually did. That day she was strange, they noticed that she had a hangover. She complained that she didn’t feel well. Before leaving, Lucy said to her husband: “Dima, see you tomorrow.” And we left. The next day, Dima, as usual, arrived at Lyusya’s at 10 am. Nobody opened the door for him. Luda was dead. And soon Dzhigurda began giving interviews in which he blamed my husband for the death of Bratash. He said that Dimka robbed her, drugged her, raped her, that he transferred all the real estate documents to himself, and so on.
- Did Dzhigurda personally contact you after his death?
Dmitriy:- He never contacted us. He didn’t express his condolences to Sister Lucy either.
- Is it true that he was not allowed to attend Bratash’s funeral?
Dzhigurda was not interested in where or what time the funeral would be. My sister Lucy and I took care of the funeral arrangements. We buried Bratash in our family grave; we had one place. The funeral was quiet. Some of her employees, relatives and our family were present. At the end of her life, Lyudmila had no friends left. Her former business partners knew where the funeral service would be held, but no one came. While we were burying Lucy, Dzhigurda continued to blame us for her death through the media. I remember he was indignant that we, they say, wanted to cremate Lucy. What nonsense? Investigators immediately explained to us that the body cannot be taken out of the country, let alone cremated, because exhumation is possible, too much inheritance is at stake, anything can happen. After all, they initially planned to bury Lucy in Minsk, in the family grave. Did not work out. The investigator didn’t even give Lyudmila’s passport to her sister; he said that anything could happen to the document in the morgue. The passport remained in business. We issued death certificates based on police certificates.
Today Dzhigurda declares that he is the heir to the entire fortune of the deceased. Could it happen that Lyudmila actually drew up a will for him?
Liana:- Lucy didn’t write any will for her sister. She always said: “Why? Everything will go to my sister anyway; she is my closest relative.” Shortly before her death, Lyusya told me that she knew that Nikita was laying claim to her apartment in France. Lucy even thought about drawing up a deed of gift for his son. She understood that her sister Svetlana did not need this property, she would not be able to service it. But it seems she never wrote any will. Meanwhile, Anisina seems to have been living in her apartment in France since April.
Dmitriy:- I have no doubt that the court will figure out how genuine the will is in Dzhigurda’s hands. Nikita claims that Bratash wrote it six years ago, when she was in America. But she did not go to America at that time.
- What kind of fortune does Dzhigurda claim?
For all. These are three apartments in Moscow. Each one costs about $2 million. Lucy has about 800 thousand euros left in her accounts. The deceased's sister Svetlana was supposed to inherit the inheritance on August 14. And on August 12, Dzhigurda brought his will to court. Why was he silent for so long? Also strange.
- Why does Dzhigurda accuse you of all mortal sins? You're not claiming the inheritance, are you?
I can only guess. It just so happened that at some point I ruined his plans. If I had not returned to Moscow for the holidays, perhaps before January 10, Lucy would have been processed, and she would have transferred the property to the right person. But I arrived, called my sister from Belarus, went to the police, created a fuss, and the matter began to escalate. Perhaps Dzhigurda did not forgive me for this.
The ex-assistant of the late businesswoman Lyudmila Bratash told Komsomolskaya Pravda about the relationship between the lonely owner of a VIP air transportation company and the married showman
Photo: Mikhail FROLOV
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“KP” continues to deal with the detective story concerning the inheritance of Nikita Dzhigurda. Let us remind you: the artist presented a will, according to which the lonely rich businesswoman, former owner of the VIP air transportation company El Air, Lyudmila Bratash, leaves all her property to him and his wife, figure skater Marina Anisina.
According to Anisina’s lawyer, the amount of the inheritance is one billion rubles. But Bratash’s acquaintances assure us: we are talking about an amount 3-4 times less. Be that as it may, the will is being challenged in court by the deceased’s sister Svetlana.
There really are a lot of questions about the document.
“There wasn’t even a visa”
“I worked in Lyudmila’s company from 1996 to 2010 inclusive,” ex-El Air employee Irina Egorova told Komsomolskaya Pravda. - The will that Dzhigurda shows was drawn up in the USA in 2010. But I can declare with full responsibility: Lyudmila Bratash did not fly to America in 2010. At that time she did not have a visa.
- Why are you so sure of this?
Because I was organizing all her flights - booking hotels, buying tickets, and so on. Lyudmila did not do this work herself - the office did it. And for the last couple of years of the company’s existence (until 2010 - Ed.), only me and the accountant remained in the office.
Until 2003, she flew to America only on state visits, together with Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. At first, she organized flights for him on a Boeing, which she took from the Swiss. Then Aliyev flew several times a year to treat his heart condition at a clinic in Cleveland. Lyudmila organized flights for him and often accompanied him - she was friends with him. But I never flew to America on my own. After Aliyev's death in 2003, she stopped visiting the United States. Therefore, I couldn’t be there with Dzhigurda either.
Lyudmila Bratash's sister Svetlana asked me to speak in court regarding the will - I agreed.
“I signed blank forms”
Irina Egorova also questioned Lyudmila’s notes, in which she calls her sister a thief and asks to protect her from the driver.
This is not her handwriting, assures Irina Egorova. - Because I worked with her for many years, I know how she wrote. The signature on the will that Dzhigurda shows is similar to Lyudina. But it's not difficult to fake it. And we forged it in the office - on some minor papers. She allowed us to do this because she often went on a drinking binge, but she understood: the company must work uninterruptedly.
Sometimes she signed blank forms - on the sheet with her company's header. We had such sheets in our office and at her home. By the way, Dzhigurda presented the will on the company’s letterhead. I believe the will is a forgery.
Business cards in shoe boxes
“I don’t like that now the name of Lyudmila Bratash is put on a par with the name of Dzhigurda,” continues Irina Egorova. - She really was the founder of VIP air transportation in Russia. Her company's clients included Alisher Usmanov, Roman Abramovich, Boris Berezovsky, large banks, and oil workers. Lyudmila personally communicated with them. The entire top twenty Russian billionaires at Forbes are her former clients.
- Did you see Dzhigurda near Bratash?
Lyudmila talked a lot in the office about Dzhigurda as a regular participant in her parties. But she said that he was a clown, a fool. Lyudmila was a lonely woman, bored, rich. She often threw parties. Dzhigurda attended them to amuse the audience. She put up with him for Anisina's sake. I know that they asked Lyudmila for money and she gave it to them. But sometimes she refused. I remember Lyuda saying: “Dzhigurda is completely stunned - he’s asking me for money for the Maidan.”
- How did Bratash meet Anisina?
They met at some parties. And actress Elena Kondulainen introduced Luda to Dzhigurda. Lyudmila had very serious connections at different levels. She often asked me: sort out the business cards. She had so many business cards from people that I just put them in shoe boxes! People have something to do with aviation, this is something... You can’t imagine how many people she knew - those in power, the security forces, and the stars. Some think that she had a personal connection with the driver or with Dzhigurda. This couldn't happen. These men are simply not on her level.
BY THE WAY
There was no murder
The prosecutor's office completed the pre-investigation investigation into the death of Lyudmila Bratash and came to the conclusion that death occurred naturally (injury due to a fall). The initiation of a criminal case based on Dzhigurda’s application was refused. However, the artist did not agree with the conclusion that it was a natural death and wrote statements to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee. A re-inspection has been scheduled.
ANOTHER OPINION
Inheritance - at least a billion rubles
After listening to the story of a former employee of the Bratash company, Irina Egorova, we decided to give the floor to the other side.
Lyudmila flew to America in 2010 and made a will there, says Marina Anisina. - And the will is genuine, certified by a US notary. I have no doubt that we will win the trial.
For a detailed comment, Anisina sent us to her lawyer Andrei Knyazev.
An employee of the Bratash company claims that Lyudmila did not fly to America in 2010. And he believes that the will is a fake.
We do not agree with this statement. There is evidence - both witness testimony and documents - that Lyudmila Bratash traveled to the United States and that she drew up a will there. We will submit all papers to the court.
By the way, Lyudmila Bratash’s company “El Air” was registered in New York. As far as I know, the deceased still has an apartment in New York. Lyudmila Bratash's sister is trying to challenge the will for obvious reasons - because she wants to receive an inheritance. But so far I have not seen evidence from the other side that the will is invalid.
- How much is the inherited property valued at?
At least a billion rubles. But the issue, in general, is not about money. Lyudmila Bratash, when she made her will, left everything to the children of Nikita and Marina (one of them is her godson). And Nikita has already stated that he wants to use this money for charity - to help children. That is, the goals are good.
AND AT THIS TIME
The showman was suspected of theft
As former Bratash driver Dmitry Kuronov told Komsomolskaya Pravda, he provided the police with information indicating that Dzhigurda withdrew money through an ATM from Lyudmila’s bank cards.
On New Year's holidays, the safe in Bratash's apartment was robbed: 250 thousand euros and jewelry worth 600 thousand euros were missing, says Dmitry Kuronov. - On January 1, Dzhigurda took Lyudmila with him from her house. Later we found her in a clinic near Moscow: Lyudmila was being treated for alcohol abuse.
When she came to her senses after the binge, she began to conduct her own investigation. She requested bank statements and found out that on January 2, almost 500 thousand rubles were withdrawn from three of her cards. Video surveillance cameras near ATMs recorded that Dzhigurda and his driver were withdrawing money.
Lyudmila called Dzhigurda and asked why he withdrew money without her knowledge. He replied that he paid for her treatment at the clinic. But the treatment at the clinic did not cost 500 thousand, continues Dmitry Kuronov. - PIN codes for bank cards were kept in a safe. So, Dzhigurda opened the safe once he learned the codes? But in addition to the codes, money and jewelry were missing! Lyudmila gave me the data from her investigation shortly before her death. And I provided information to the police. An investigation is currently underway.
The police confirmed to us in an informal conversation that the check was indeed being carried out.
A criminal case will be opened in the near future regarding the theft, a police source told KP. - The first suspect in this case will be Nikita Dzhigurda. During the pre-investigation check, we called him for an explanation, but he did not come.
- Dzhigurda left for America.
If he does not appear to testify of his own free will, a decision will be made to arrest him in absentia. And if there is evidence, he will be subject to criminal liability. And if a person is found guilty of theft, he will not see an inheritance. Moreover, the assumption arises: was the will made after the fact to hide the theft? Like, if he’s an heir, he wouldn’t steal from himself? This is probably the question the investigation will ask.
CALLING YOUR SISTER
Handwriting samples were given to the police
We reached out to the businesswoman’s sister, Svetlana.
“I’m going to file an application against Dzhigurda regarding the will,” she said. - There is a trial going on, I don’t recognize the will.
- There is an opinion that Bratash’s notes were not written by her...
1. The will is executed on the letterhead of the airline, which was owned by the businesswoman. According to colleagues, Lyudmila often signed blank forms so that work would not be delayed if she was not there.
2. Cliché imprinting is a common practice for notaries in the United States.
3. The signature of Lyudmila Bratash does not convince Dzhigurda’s opponents. They say that an autograph can be easily forged.
INDEPENDENT EXPERT'S VIEW
It is also possible on a form
We asked our questions about the will to an independent specialist, lawyer of the Moscow Bar Association Igor Putilov.
Igor Anatolyevich, did an American notary have the right to certify a will executed on the letterhead of a private company? In this case, airlines.
Yes. Theoretically, you can make a will on anything. It is important that the testator personally comes to the notary. In America, notaries are qualified people. If the form seemed dubious, the notary would reject it.
- The date on the red rectangular seal is 2012. And the will itself says 2010...
In this case, the seal indicates the validity period of the notary's license. Specifically - until 2012.
- On the document at the top left there is some kind of transparent seal, barely visible - what is it?
This is most likely a notary cliché. US notary forms have additional protection: when you put a metal cliche on the paper, you hit it and a mark is pressed through.
Overall, the document looks convincing, but the issue with it is not the simplest. It is likely that the will was drawn up in accordance with US standards and will be recognized as valid in relation to property located in America. The same applies to property in other countries (we don’t take Russia), if these countries have signed agreements with the United States on legal assistance and the form of this will does not contradict the requirements of their legislation.
As for the application of this will in Russia, the issue is controversial. Overall, this case is quite interesting, and I'm curious what the court will decide.
BY THE WAY
Dzhigurda's wife leaves him because he refused to be treated by psychiatrists
It seems like déjà vu, but it’s really true. Nikita Dzhigurda is getting divorced. His wife Marina Anisina again filed documents for divorce in a Moscow court. In the winter of 2015, the 55-year-old showman and the 41-year-old figure skater did not complete the matter - after the artist promised to undergo treatment with a psychiatrist, the compassionate wife withdrew the application from the court. And now, a year and a half later, the situation repeated itself
Lyudmila Bratash is a successful former businesswoman, former girlfriend of Nikita Dzhigurda. She died under strange circumstances. The case about her inheritance is still not closed.
Lyudmila Bratash had a unique talent in the field of business, thanks to which she managed to earn a huge fortune. But in her personal life this woman was deeply unhappy. She died under unknown circumstances and left a will, which caused a lot of rumors.
Childhood
Lyudmila Jonathanovna Bratash was born in the capital of Belarus in 1960. Her father was a military pilot, so as a child the Bratash family lived near the airfield in Machulishchi.
In her childhood, Lyudmila was very passionate about aviation, but after graduating from school she decided to connect her life with journalism. In the 1980s, her family moved to live in Moscow.
Starting a business
Finding herself in the capital, Lyudmila Bratash took up journalism. She wrote articles about music for Moskovsky Komsomolets - mainly about the group Gorky Park, which was popular at that time. Later she got a job at the capital's press center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the capital, Lyudmila managed to realize her dream of aviation. She did not become a pilot, but she created her own company, which was directly related to aviation. This company, called Al Air, provided intermediary services in organizing air travel for VIP clients.
Bratash had the talent to coordinate a lot of issues related to the organization of such flights. She rented planes, organized exclusive services for passengers, knew how to negotiate flights without prepayment, coordinated the supply of aviation fuel, and was well acquainted with the richest people of that time. From each organized flight she received at least ten thousand dollars for her intermediary services.
In parallel with this activity, Bratash began to engage in the resale of real estate in the late 1990s. She started this business with the purchase of an unfinished country cottage. Having sold it for a large profit, she bought luxury apartments in Moscow.
In her personal life, Lyudmila was much less lucky. She was never officially married and had no children. Of course, this attractive, successful woman had many admirers, but all of them were only interested in her money. In the late 1990s, she met the famous actor Nikita Dzhigurda, who claims that they immediately became close.
Friendship with Dzhigurda, financial recession
Bratash's successes in the financial sector began to decline at this time. Wealthy people who were her clients began to buy planes as their own, so her intermediary services related to arranging flights became less profitable. However, Bratash's entrepreneurial skills allowed her to stay afloat. Lyudmila continued to be friends with Nikita Dzhigurda. In 2008, she provided her country house for the artist’s wedding with Marina Anisina, and a year later she became his son’s godmother.
Bratash's financial situation worsened further, forcing her to liquidate her airline. Lyudmila started drinking. Nikita Dzhigurda blames her driver, Nikita Kuronov, for this, and Lyudmila’s sister Svetlana blames Dzhigurda himself, as well as his wife Anisina.
In 2010, while on vacation abroad in the company of Dzhigurda and Anisina, Bratash drew up and registered a will. According to it, after the death of a businesswoman, her fortune was to go to Dzhigurda and his wife.
Sad ending, struggle for inheritance
During the celebration of the coming of 2016, Bratash ended up in the hospital in a state of intoxication. Upon returning home, she stated that securities and money were stolen from her safe, and funds were also withdrawn from her bank accounts. On February 15 of the same year, the driver and security guard Bratash found her dead. The woman's body lay among empty bottles. The head was broken. Lyudmila's funeral was organized by Nikita Dzhigurda. There are many rumors surrounding the death of the businesswoman. Many, including Dzhigurda, are sure that her death was not accidental, that someone from her close circle was involved in it.
After Bratash's death, the matter of her will was considered in court, as many believe that the will was falsified. Dzhigurda stated that the amount of her inheritance amounted to eight hundred million rubles. Preliminary estimates showed that the actual amount of the inheritance is 3 times less than the amount announced by the actor.
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Six months ago, a tragic event occurred in the family of Nikita Dzhigurda and Marina Anisina. Their son's godmother was found dead in her Moscow apartment. Lyudmila Bratash was one of the richest businesswomen in Russia. After her death, Nikita and his wife began to be pursued by unknown persons, as it became known that the woman had assigned her entire inheritance to the star family. Dzhigurda is sure that the death of Bratash and the threats against him are the work of the businesswoman’s sister and her driver.
In the studio of the “Live Broadcast” program, the outrageous artist spoke about how he received a fabulous inheritance. He explained why Lyudmila Bratash gave her wealth not to her own sister, but to him and his wife.
“Lucy had an abortion from her loved one. Twins - a boy and a girl. After which she could not have children. It was her pain, her tragedy. When we met, she told me this pain. We went with her to the witch, who said: “You need to become a godmother. The son born to your friends will give you a signal. Your twin. First the boy will incarnate, and then the girl.” And when Angel was born, there was no question who would become godmother. And the next year Eva was born, white, looking more like Lucy than Anisina,” admitted Dzhigurda.
Nikita said that his family and Lyudmila Bratash have a long-term friendship. In fact, they were the closest people to her. According to Dzhigurda, the businesswoman wrote her will in 2010, after an attempt was made on her life. Before this, in October 2009, she bought an apartment in an elite complex in Moscow, and in November the property was re-registered to her sister.
The actor concludes that his girlfriend was deliberately put into a state of lack of will in order to sign all the documents and appropriate her housing. He is convinced that Lyudmila’s sister and her driver deliberately undermined her health in order to ultimately kill her and gain a fabulous inheritance.
In the studio of the “Live Broadcast” program, Dzhigurda shared with the audience documents that confirm that he is the heir to Bratash. Moreover, in the official document Lyudmila signed the following lines: “I ask that my will in the will be considered final, given that forgery, blackmail and the use of violence are possible on the part of other persons, including my sister Svetlana Romanova and my driver Dmitry Kuronov.”
Nikita is outraged that no criminal case has been opened in connection with the death of a famous businesswoman. He promises to provide evidence in court and proof of the guilt of Romanova and Kuronov in the death of his girlfriend.
“KP” continues to deal with the detective story concerning. Let us remind you: the artist presented a will, according to which the lonely rich businesswoman, former owner of the VIP air transportation company El Air, Lyudmila Bratash, leaves all her property to him and his wife, figure skater Marina Anisina.
According to Anisina’s lawyer, the amount of the inheritance is one billion rubles. But Bratash’s acquaintances assure us: we are talking about an amount 3-4 times less. Be that as it may, the will of the deceased Svetlana.
There really are a lot of questions about the document.
“There wasn’t even a visa”
“I worked in Lyudmila’s company from 1996 to 2010 inclusive,” ex-El Air employee Irina Egorova told Komsomolskaya Pravda. - The will that Dzhigurda shows was drawn up in the USA in 2010. But I can declare with full responsibility: Lyudmila Bratash did not fly to America in 2010. At that time she did not have a visa.
- Why are you so sure of this?
Because I was organizing all her flights - booking hotels, buying tickets, and so on. Lyudmila did not do this work herself - the office did it. And for the last couple of years of the company’s existence (until 2010 - Ed.), only me and the accountant remained in the office.
Until 2003, she flew to America only on state visits, together with Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. At first, she organized flights for him on a Boeing, which she took from the Swiss. Then Aliyev flew several times a year to treat his heart condition at a clinic in Cleveland. Lyudmila organized flights for him and often accompanied him - she was friends with him. But I never flew to America on my own. After Aliyev's death in 2003, she stopped visiting the United States. Therefore, I couldn’t be there with Dzhigurda either.
Lyudmila Bratash's sister Svetlana asked me to speak in court regarding the will - I agreed.
“I signed blank forms”
Irina Egorova also questioned Lyudmila’s notes, in which she calls her sister a thief and asks to protect her from the driver.
This is not her handwriting, assures Irina Egorova. - Because I worked with her for many years, I know how she wrote. The signature on the will that Dzhigurda shows is similar to Lyudina. But it's not difficult to fake it. And we forged it in the office - on some minor papers. She allowed us to do this because she often went on a drinking binge, but she understood: the company must work uninterruptedly.
Sometimes she signed blank forms - on the sheet with her company's header. We had such sheets in our office and at her home. By the way, Dzhigurda presented the will on the company’s letterhead. I believe the will is a forgery.
Business cards in shoe boxes
“I don’t like that now the name of Lyudmila Bratash is put on a par with the name of Dzhigurda,” continues Irina Egorova. - She really was the founder of VIP air transportation in Russia. Her company's clients included Alisher Usmanov, Roman Abramovich, Boris Berezovsky, large banks, and oil workers. Lyudmila personally communicated with them. The entire top twenty Russian billionaires at Forbes are her former clients.
- Did you see Dzhigurda near Bratash?
Lyudmila talked a lot in the office about Dzhigurda as a regular participant in her parties. But she said that he was a clown, a fool. Lyudmila was a lonely woman, bored, rich. She often threw parties. Dzhigurda attended them to amuse the audience. She put up with him for Anisina's sake. I know that they asked Lyudmila for money and she gave it to them. But sometimes she refused. I remember Lyuda saying: “Dzhigurda is completely stunned - he’s asking me for money for the Maidan.”
- How did Bratash meet Anisina?
They met at some parties. And actress Elena Kondulainen introduced Luda to Dzhigurda. Lyudmila had very serious connections at different levels. She often asked me: sort out the business cards. She had so many business cards from people that I just put them in shoe boxes! People have something to do with aviation, this is something... You can’t imagine how many people she knew - those in power, the security forces, and the stars. Some think that she had a personal connection with the driver or with Dzhigurda. This couldn't happen. These men are simply not on her level.
BY THE WAY
There was no murder
The prosecutor's office completed the pre-investigation investigation into the death of Lyudmila Bratash and came to the conclusion that death occurred naturally (injury due to a fall). The initiation of a criminal case based on Dzhigurda’s application was refused. However, the artist did not agree with the conclusion that it was a natural death and wrote statements to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee. A re-inspection has been scheduled.
ANOTHER OPINION
Inheritance - at least a billion rubles
After listening to the story of a former employee of the Bratash company, Irina Egorova, we decided to give the floor to the other side.
Lyudmila flew to America in 2010 and made a will there, says Marina Anisina. - And the will is genuine, certified by a US notary. I have no doubt that we will win the trial.
For a detailed comment, Anisina sent us to her lawyer Andrey Knyazev.
An employee of the Bratash company claims that Lyudmila did not fly to America in 2010. And he believes that the will is a fake.
We do not agree with this statement. There is evidence - both witness testimony and documents - that Lyudmila Bratash traveled to the United States and that she drew up a will there. We will submit all papers to the court.
By the way, Lyudmila Bratash’s company “El Air” was registered in New York. As far as I know, the deceased still has an apartment in New York. Lyudmila Bratash's sister is trying to challenge the will for obvious reasons - because she wants to receive an inheritance. But so far I have not seen evidence from the other side that the will is invalid.
- How much is the inherited property valued at?
At least a billion rubles. But the issue, in general, is not about money. Lyudmila Bratash, when she made her will, left everything to the children of Nikita and Marina (one of them is her godson). And Nikita has already stated that he wants to use this money for charity - to help children. That is, the goals are good.
AND AT THIS TIME
The showman was suspected of theft
As former Bratash driver Dmitry Kuronov told Komsomolskaya Pravda, he provided the police with information indicating that Dzhigurda withdrew money through an ATM from Lyudmila’s bank cards.
On New Year's holidays, the safe in Bratash's apartment was robbed: 250 thousand euros and jewelry worth 600 thousand euros were missing, says Dmitry Kuronov. - On January 1, Dzhigurda took Lyudmila with him from her house. Later we found her in a clinic near Moscow: Lyudmila was being treated for alcohol abuse.
When she came to her senses after the binge, she began to conduct her own investigation. She requested bank statements and found out that on January 2, almost 500 thousand rubles were withdrawn from three of her cards. Video surveillance cameras near ATMs recorded that Dzhigurda and his driver were withdrawing money.
Lyudmila called Dzhigurda and asked why he withdrew money without her knowledge. He replied that he paid for her treatment at the clinic. But the treatment at the clinic did not cost 500 thousand, continues Dmitry Kuronov. - PIN codes for bank cards were kept in a safe. So, Dzhigurda opened the safe once he learned the codes? But in addition to the codes, money and jewelry were missing! Lyudmila gave me the data from her investigation shortly before her death. And I provided information to the police. An investigation is currently underway.
The police confirmed to us in an informal conversation that the check was indeed being carried out.
A criminal case will be opened in the near future regarding the theft, a police source told KP. - The first suspect in this case will be Nikita Dzhigurda. During the pre-investigation check, we called him for an explanation, but he did not come.
- Dzhigurda left for America.
If he does not appear to testify of his own free will, a decision will be made to arrest him in absentia. And if there is evidence, he will be subject to criminal liability. And if a person is found guilty of theft, he will not see an inheritance. Moreover, the assumption arises: was the will made after the fact to hide the theft? Like, if he’s an heir, he wouldn’t steal from himself? This is probably the question the investigation will ask.
CALLING YOUR SISTER
Handwriting samples were given to the police
We reached out to the businesswoman’s sister, Svetlana.
“I’m going to file an application against Dzhigurda regarding the will,” she said. - There is a trial going on, I don’t recognize the will.
- There is an opinion that Bratash’s notes were not written by her...
I can’t comment on this, let the investigative authorities do that. Now everything is in the hands of the police. We gave them handwriting samples.
1. The will is executed on the letterhead of the airline, which was owned by the businesswoman. According to colleagues, Lyudmila often signed blank forms so that work would not be delayed if she was not there.
2. Cliché imprinting is a common practice for notaries in the United States.
3. The signature of Lyudmila Bratash does not convince Dzhigurda’s opponents. They say that an autograph can be easily forged.
INDEPENDENT EXPERT'S VIEW
It is also possible on a form
We asked our questions about the will to an independent specialist, lawyer of the Moscow Bar Association Igor Putilov.
Igor Anatolyevich, did an American notary have the right to certify a will executed on the letterhead of a private company? In this case, airlines.
Yes. Theoretically, you can make a will on anything. It is important that the testator personally comes to the notary. In America, notaries are qualified people. If the form seemed dubious, the notary would reject it.
- The date on the red rectangular seal is 2012. And the will itself says 2010...
In this case, the seal indicates the validity period of the notary's license. Specifically - until 2012.
- On the document at the top left there is some kind of transparent seal, barely visible - what is it?
This is most likely a notary cliché. US notary forms have additional protection: when you put a metal cliche on the paper, you hit it and a mark is pressed through.
Overall, the document looks convincing, but the issue with it is not the simplest. It is likely that the will was drawn up in accordance with US standards and will be recognized as valid in relation to property located in America. The same applies to property in other countries (we don’t take Russia), if these countries have signed agreements with the United States on legal assistance and the form of this will does not contradict the requirements of their legislation.
As for the application of this will in Russia, the issue is controversial. Overall, this case is quite interesting, and I'm curious what the court will decide.
BY THE WAY
Dzhigurda's wife leaves him because he refused to be treated by psychiatrists
It seems like déjà vu, but it’s really true. Nikita Dzhigurda is getting divorced. His wife Marina Anisina again filed documents for divorce in a Moscow court. In the winter of 2015, the 55-year-old showman and the 41-year-old figure skater did not complete the matter - after the artist promised to undergo treatment with a psychiatrist, the compassionate wife withdrew the application from the court. And now, a year and a half later, the situation repeated itself
