A veil of mystery covers the sudden flight from Russia of an oligarch, who is also called as “Putin’s masseur”, a few days before his son was found dead under circumstances that remain unclear.
The 67-year-old Konstantin Goloshchapov crossed the border from Russia into Belarus in June driving the son’s BMW Dmitryafter allegedly receiving information that his businesses were to be audited following allegations of embezzlement.
Four days later, 29-year-old Dmitry died and an investigation was launched into Konstantin’s investment holdings – including his shares in St Petersburg water and electricity companies, the Daily Mail reports.
Although Konstantin’s escape from Russia happened months ago, the case is now being covered by Russian newspapers highlighting his close ties to the Kremlin. As it is said, in fact, the billionaire seems to have known many of Putin’s personal secrets.
Russian media broadcast a photo it said showed him crossing the border into Belarus while “making an obscene gesture” at the camera.
Konstantin’s current whereabouts remain unknown at this time, although he is believed to hold both a Greek and a Croatian passport.
The cause of his son’s death, which is linked to the business transactions that are now under the “microscope” of investigation, also remains unclear.
Dmitry is believed to have had an affair with wealthy 33-year-old Yana Mardina, who studied at a top Swiss boarding school.
Last week, the governor of St. Petersburg, a close ally of Putin, Alexander Beglov, laid flowers on Dmitry’s grave in a city cemetery as a mark of respect.
Goloshchapov became wealthy amid suspicions of business dealings linked to official structures in the Kremlin and his native St. Petersburg.
The most interesting element, however, is his close personal ties to Vladimir Putin. One version says that these relations began at the time when the president was a KGB agent and Goloshchapov was an “informant” of the secret services on the smuggling of icons.
Goloshchapov dealt with the martial arts – like Putin – and a “strong male friendship” developed on his mat judo, as supported. Others claim that the masseuse’s skills and innovative methods apparently helped Putin overcome an acute back injury, leading the two to develop a friendship. According to another version, reported by Versiya, Putin “used to visit the massage parlor [του Goloshchapov ] in a St. Petersburg sauna.
“In 2000, Putin remembered his old acquaintance and invited him to Moscow to head a state-owned company,” it said.
Between 1998 and 2005, Goloshchapov made at least 338 air trips between St. Petersburg and Moscow, according to an investigation by intelligence expert Sergei Kanev. In 2002, Goloshchapov was said to be charging between $10,000 and $50,000 “by promoting his former clients [μασάζ] in important positions’ in Putin’s government.
In the Kremlin circle he “massages the backs of high-ranking officials”. Around the same time he is said to be Putin’s campaign manager.
In 2005, to mark Putin’s visit to Mount Athos, Goloshchapov founded the Russian Athonic Society. Among the 12 founders were Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a number of other Putin friends.
Goloshchapov’s business career took off amid ties to oligarchs close to Putin, including the president’s former judo partner Arkady Rotenberg. The masseur and Orthodox businessman had a role in Putin’s rapid rise in St Petersburg at a time when there were rumors of connections to the Tambov mafia ring.
“He knows many of Putin’s secrets and for years he was a key figure in his circle,” said a former Western diplomat in Moscow. Goloshchapov reportedly owns property in Italy, Croatia and Finland.
In 2018, Goloshchapov urged reporters to “stop being interested” in his ties to Putin.
Intelligence expert Kanev wrote:
“What interesting things are happening in Putin’s circle: his chef [Yevgeny] Prigozhin is commanding troops in Ukraine, while his personal masseur Konstantin Goloshchapov left Russia in his son’s BMW, via Belarus.
The masseur was due to come under the ‘microscope’ as part of an investigation into the embezzlement of millions at St Petersburg’s ‘VodoKanal’ – but was allowed to leave. Konstantin met Putin in the late 80s on a tatami mat… Now Goloshchapov, of course, is a billionaire, and his businesses build houses and trade in metals.
Kremlin friends have nicknamed Goloshchapov “Father Padre” because he makes frequent references to the Bible and prays at every opportunity. As a true patriot of Russia, “Father Padre” has a Greek passport and luxury properties in Italy, Croatia and Finland.”
Konstantin’s son Dmitry is one of the Russian oligarchs who have died under mysterious circumstances since the war in Ukraine began.
