11/08/2019 16:57

FSS got interested in ‘Premier’? – part 13

[IMG=18167-3637] On October 25 BANKO operative news team reporters headed for Premier Travel Service office again (see the News for October 24). As on Monday, no company representatives, including Albert Potapov, were there. But BANKO reporters managed to take a photograph the seal on the operator’s office door. The seal was placed by the Economic Crimes Department of Moscow's Central Internal Affairs Department (UVD). Thus, the fact that company’s office was officially closed by law enforcement authorities was confirmed. Chief security officer of the building told our reporter that head of ‘Premier’, Albert Potapov called him on Monday evening from an unfamiliar mobile number and promised to come on Tuesday; but he never came. Head of security also told that on Monday some people came to the firm’s office and introduced themselves as Federal Security Service officers. They explained their visit by their anxiety for the destiny of Russian tourists that found themselves in a difficult situation abroad. Meanwhile, there are other versions of the reasons for FSS officers appearing at the doors of ‘Premier’s office. As Alexey Gusev, deputy general director of ‘National Lawyers Association’ explained to BANKO reporter, theoretically authorities’ interest towards the travel company might have antiterrorist activities as its reason. For example, cases are known when terrorists left the country with forged passports through travel companies. But in the context of general situation around ‘Premier’ the authorities’ interest might be much more prosaic. It might turn out that someone of the company’s high-ranking clients that have claims to the firm’s management turned there for support. On the same day BANKO IS reporter talked to Olga Rybina, ‘Premier’s chief executive. According to her, Albert Potapov is trying to get in touch with Economic Crimes Department officers and arrange for the seal’s removal since yesterday. As soon as the office doors are open and operator’s management gets access to the working places, it will start receiving claims that have come by fax that has been working automatically during all these days.