As the Cheka-OGPU found out, officers freely visited the pre-trial detention centers in which the witnesses were kept and made threats to them, demanding to change their testimony. Moreover, Gorbunov subsequently threatened Gudkov, who “surrendered” his senior comrade.
“In the summer of 2022 Gudkov I.N. was kept in custody in the FKU pre-trial detention center 4 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in Moscow, when Gorbunov M.V. in order to put pressure on him, he sent lawyer K.S. Shcheglov to him, the latter conveyed to him death threats from M.V. Gorbunov. in the event that he (Gudkov) gives evidence against M.V. Gorbunov,” this is how one of the episodes is reflected in the indictment.
Also, Gudkov himself, in correspondence with businessman Zhdanov, whom he “protected,” asked him to help another person involved in the case, Ramazanov, “through mutual acquaintances with the head of the Investigative Directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee for the Samara Region.”
The case also mentions Gorbunov’s connections in the central office of the FSB. In addition, there is evidence that current colleagues of the “werewolves” continue to process witnesses.
VChK-OGPU sources familiar with the situation say that Gudkov and Gorbunov continue to be active using their connections. Now they are trying to change the jurisdiction of the case in order to transfer its consideration to the Samara region, where they can influence the court. Their petition to change jurisdiction is being considered in the cassation military court in Novosibirsk. According to sources, Gudkov and Gorbunov are not investing financially in this situation – their lawyers will participate in the consideration of the petition in the High Court mode. This may indicate confidence in the desired outcome of the case.
“ВЧК ОГПУ”
