Russia’s state nuclear corporation – ROSATOM suspect political motivation behind arrest of Vadim Mikerin, Head of TENAM Corporation by US FBI. TENAM Corp is the US subsidiary of, Russia’s state owned exporter of enriched uranium and products- Techsnabexport, a sister concern of ROSATOM.
Earlier on Friday last Vadim Mikerin, was arrested in the United States on allegations of participating in a kickback scheme in exchange of awarding business from his employer company to US citizens without having to compete for the contracts.According to the allegations, Mikerin received $1,7 million in bribes for granting business contracts to three US citizens worth over USD $33 million without participation in competitive bids.
Commenting on the situation Sergei Novikov, Director Communications of ROSATOM during an interview with a Russian TV channel said, “We are tracking the situation and requesting additional information. If it is related to economic damage to Techsnabexport, we need the full data and we will certainly help to define, whether the contracts were executed at the price above the market level, whether the TENAM paid extra money as a result of actions by the company’s CEO.”
“But taking into account those documents about an attempt by the FBI agents to persuade Vadim Mikerin to cooperate against Russia in exchange of freedom, a thought of political nature of the prosecution crosses our minds” he added.
Legal assistance is being rendered to Vadim Mikerin both through lawyer and consulate service in the Russian Embassy in USA, Novikov informed.
Meanwhile in an official statement Techsnabexport under its trade name TENEX expressed company’s readiness to extend necessary assistance in clarifying the situation.
Various Russian experts also expressed their suspicion about the fairness of the allegations against V. Mikerin. Igor Ryabov, Director of the Industry and Society Research Center doesn’t rule out the possibility of Mikern’s arrest due to refusal to “work with the prosecution” and provide the full scope of information on ROSATOM deals. Ryabov thinks that the detention of Mikerin is another example of Western pressure on Russia, in the backdrop of exacerbation of relations between Russia and USA.
“Anglo- Saxon world are looking for our weak points in the export potential. Russia is the largest Uranium exporter and they might have plotted the case to damage the reputation of Russian nuclear industry.” Ryabov opined.
Explaining his position Ryabov said, “Though crimes were committed in the US territory but Rosatom is the ultimate affected party. So not keeping Rosatom informed about the happenings creates doubts about framing up of the case.”
Leonid Gusev, expert of the Analytical Center of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed similar opinion. He said “taking into account the current political context, it is difficult to believe that FBI is concerned about interest of Techsnabexport, world’s leading enriched Uranium exporter. The situation looks like economic blackmailing with use of political methods. So far there have been no sanctions against Russian nuclear industry. But considering that Rosatom holds the leading position in the world in construction of nuclear power plants and posing a strong competition to US nuclear industry, we can’t exclude this incident as one of the method of creating field for unfair competition through defaming Russian company.”
Elena Panfilova, Chair of the Centre for Anti- corruption Initiative at Transparency International Russia in her comment said,“ FBI in examining the case of a Russian national, Vadim Mikerin should approach Russia’s State Nuclear Corporation- ROSATOM for help in investigation. I think ROSATOM will take this matter very seriously.”
Techsnabexport, also known by its brand name of TENEX, exports enriched uranium product and uranium conversion to a number of key markets, including the United States, Mexico, China, South Africa, Japan and several European states. Russia is the largest Uranium enrichment player in the world market taking 40percent of the total supply. – Triune press release
