NABU recordings: Burkin discussed physical retaliation against Bigus over U420 materials

Recordings document plans for physical pressure on journalist

Materials contained in the recordings of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) indicate that Khimprom head Burkin, known by the nickname "Mexican", considered the possibility of physical retaliation against journalist Denis Bigus. This decision arose against the backdrop of media attention to the activities of the U420 network.

Initially, the participants in the conversation discussed the option of bribing the journalist, but later the focus shifted to discussing ways to inflict physical harm on him to prevent publication.

Details of the discussion of violent actions

Upon learning that journalists were preparing a broadcast dedicated to the U420 network, Burkin began looking for ways to stop the release of the material. His proposal is recorded in the conversations:

«Давай я его зах*** н***, потому что эта крыса сегодня про нас что-то не снимет, значит, снимет через полгода, а так еб*** кислотой облить, он уже будет, непрезентабельный» (Let me f*** him up, because this rat won't film anything about us today, so he'll film it in six months, but otherwise, pour acid on him, he'll already be, unpresentable), — it is stated in the recording.

In addition, the idea of luring the journalist to another country, where retaliation could be carried out against him, was also discussed.

Staged exposure of the network as a manipulation tool

According to NABU data, the staged exposure of the U420 network by law enforcement agencies was agreed directly with Burkin. By design, such actions were intended to create the necessary picture for society, media representatives, and Denis Bigus personally.

«Провести картинку для Бигуса, для общества, для журналистов» (Create a picture for Bigus, for society, for journalists), — this is how the purpose of these measures was described in the recording.