Charges have finally been brought against Igor Zotov, the former head of Valery Gergiev’s White Nights Festival and private foundation, who has been held in jail for a year without trial.
The charge sheet, published today, says that Zotov conspired in 2009 with another Gergiev aide to milk the fund of 245 million rubles ($8m), with consequent damage to the fund of almost twice that amount. The two men are alleged to have invested the money in property, which they registered in their wives’ names.
Zotov denies all the charges, saying he returned to Russia voluntarily to face police questioning after the loss was discovered. His lawyers accuse Gergiev of using political clout to prolong his imprisonment.
No date has been set for the trial. In Putin’s Russia, fairness at law cannot be guaranteed.
Recent Comments
Dan P. on On publishers’ mistakes in the Rite of Spring
Publishers' lack of interest in the quality of scores and parts is not new - even for their biggest moneymakers....Warren Cohen on On publishers’ mistakes in the Rite of Spring
We entered the Firebird (complete ballet) into the computer and produced parts from that. It is time-consuming, but you will...Rgiarola on Shameful: Madrid orchestra is put on the dole four months a year
McGuiver, He is not there anymore. Since 2011/2012 Lyon National Orchestra MD is Leonard Slatkin.Tom Gossard on On publishers’ mistakes in the Rite of Spring
That's because Stravinsky preferred to get paid to getting the published scores and parts right. Given the sorry state of...John McLeod on On publishers’ mistakes in the Rite of Spring
Again - Boosey and Hawkes! Also I, and probably hundreds of others are still waiting for a facsimile score...Rgiarola on At Bayreuth’s birthday bash, why so few women?
McGuiver, You're right. Again a discussion concerning quotas for players, but at this time mixed with other usual polemical topic. The...Musiker on At Bayreuth’s birthday bash, why so few women?
Sure. But it'll be interesting to see whether she'll be asked back for the festival proper, given there is some...Theodore McGuiver on Shameful: Madrid orchestra is put on the dole four months a year
Isn't Jun Märkl MD in Lyon?Theodore McGuiver on At Bayreuth’s birthday bash, why so few women?
If we take this quota mania to its logical, ridiculous conclusion, what would happen if we ended up with an...william osborne on At Bayreuth’s birthday bash, why so few women?
With the five woman harpists, the ratio of women in the orchestra is still only 11%. Harp is...