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Graphic novels and comics

Graphic novel : La fortune de Poutine

The graphic novel: La fortune de Poutine (Putin's fortune).
The graphic novel: La fortune de Poutine (Putin’s fortune).

This graphic novel in French on Putin’s fortune recounts the events surrounding Vladimir Putin‘s rise to power and the establishment of his personal fortune. The latter is built through the exfiltration of colossal sums belonging to the Russian people, which are redirected to shell companies and tax havens.

As the story spans several decades, the reader becomes familiar with a multitude of company names and key political and economic figures.

As in the case of other major powers, there are also political and economic wheeling and dealing.

Russia’s power structure differs from that of the West. Relationships with the president play a much more important role than in the West. Benefits are granted in exchange for unwavering loyalty. The links between Silvio Berlusconi and Putin are just one example.

The scale of outflows of money from Russia for discreet purposes is astonishing. To cite just one example, the author notes the creation of Operation Luch (a capital flight estimated at $50 billion) in 1990 to counter the changes brought about by Gorbachev. This involved dipping into secret KGB funds abroad to enrich a fund that could be used to ensure the survival of the party and other vested interests.

Since Putin came to power, the total amount of dirty money taken out of Russia and laundered through Western banks has been at least $1,000,000,000 (one thousand billion dollars)!

So, the West’s hands are not clean when it comes to what’s going on in Russia. When there’s quick money to be made and shareholders expect an unreasonable balance sheet, virtue takes a back seat to practicality. European accomplices include Danske Bank (Denmark), SEB and Swedbank (Sweden), Crédit Suisse, Banca Intesa (Italy), Deutsche Bank Russia, Appleby-Estera (offshore services firm), Cyprus (financial services firms), Price Waterhouse Coopers.

The reader also notes the accumulation of suicides by all kinds of officials over the years. For example, the author notes the disguised suicides of Nikolai Kruchina, Georgy Pavlov and Dimitri Lissovolik. These men, with their precarious balance, all had the annoying habit of taking the air on a balcony too high for their capacity. The KGB doubted the reliability of these men, who managed the party’s secret funds in the West.

Poisoning (with the poison Novitchok) is also a favored method for ironing out political differences. But this state of affairs is already well known to Westerners, as most failed or successful operations are the subject of numerous articles in the media. For example, this was the case for Navalny and Skripal. For Yushchenko, the winner of the Ukrainian presidential elections, dioxin was used but the source was not confirmed.

Under Putin, the oligarchs can keep the fortunes acquired through the many privatizations, but there is no longer any question of them interfering in political affairs. The book also looks at the deteriorating relationship between Putin and oligarchs such as Berezovsky (found hanged in his London bathroom) and Khodorkovsky.

If a devoted collaborator changes sides, at best he can survive by leaving the country and remaining apolitical. Otherwise, his plane may explode in flight, as in the case of Prigozhin.

The book shows how Ivan Rybkyn, a political opponent of Putin’s in 2004, withdrew after an impromptu van ride. It seems that he was seized and forced into the vehicle. This experience and the likely discussions that took place during the ride were enough to convince the candidate that he wasn’t really cut out for politics.

A page from the graphic novel "La fortune de Poutine".
A page from the graphic novel “La fortune de Poutine”.

In the 90s, the Tambov mafia clan protected Putin and Sobchak and helped run the port of St. Petersburg. This did not prevent a “road accident” involving Vladimir Putin’s daughters and wife. Those dissatisfied with their share of the cake raised the stakes, and Putin had to bring the families together to work things out between them. Pragmatically, he sent his daughters to Germany for their safety. The legal guardian was Matthias Warnig, a former STASI officer.

The author points out that Russian money was used to influence the Brexit result (51.89%), this with the aim of weakening Europe. Then, as we already know, Russia influenced the voting result in key US states to help elect Donald Trump.

The graphic novel ends with a documentary dossier, with photos, drawings and references for those who want more information.

What about Putin’s fortune? According to the authors’ research, it’s between 150 and 250 billion euros.

Click on the link for more graphic novels and comics on my blog.

Title: La fortune de Poutine (Putin’s fortune)

Authors: Yvonnick Denoël and Gildas Java

Publisher: Nouveau monde graphic, © 2024

ISBN : 978-2-38094-501-0

Categories
Photos of Canada

Photography: Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and David Johnston in Ottawa , October 22nd 2015

On October 22nd 2015, in Ottawa, a ceremonial service commemorated the anniversary of the attacks that killed two Canadian soldiers in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa: Warrant officer Patrick Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Both families were present at the ceremony.

Policemen on motorcycles in Ottawa, on October 22nd 2015, ahead of the ceremony honoring Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant officer Patrick Vincent
Policemen on motorcycles in Ottawa, on October 22nd 2015, ahead of the ceremony honoring Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant officer Patrick Vincent

As one could expected, major security measures were put in place. View of the ceremony was partly blocked by all kind of obstacles and the crowd was held at a good distance by fences and an army of policemen.

Part of the crowd standing near the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Part of the crowd standing near the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

I was nonetheless lucky enough to find one of the few spots that provided a direct view on the ceremony and the dignitaries.

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Stephen Harper shake hands during the ceremony in honor of Nathan Cirillo and Patrick Vincent held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Stephen Harper shake hands during the ceremony in honor of Nathan Cirillo and Patrick Vincent held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Using a Canon 70-200mm f2.8L II USM equipped with an extender, and benefiting from an ideal random positioning of the multiple secret service agents, policemen, soldiers and officers of all kinds, few other photos were made possible.

A first handshake was visible between Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper, under the eyes of Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.

First handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial of Canada in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
First handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial of Canada in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Few dignitaries who were present at the ceremony: The Ottawa mayor, Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper.

Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2015
Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2015

On several occasions, Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper were able to exchange a few words.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

Four CF-18s flew over the crowd, at good speed. I was lucky enough to take a picture of one of them. For those photographers who could be interested, the camera speed was 1/8000 sec, the focal length 400mm and aperture 5.6.

One of four F-18s over the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
One of four F-18s over the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper then raised and walk toward the National War Memorial in order to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada.

Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

On the left of the picture below, it is possible to see some of the Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s family members.

Nathan Cirillo family members are sitting behind Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
Nathan Cirillo family members are sitting behind Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

A second handshake, more assertive this time, was exchanged between Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper.

Second handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 2015
Second handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 2015

Comforting words were pronounced by a few people, among them the Governor General of Canada and the military chaplain.

The military chaplain at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
The military chaplain at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife are shown leaving at the end of the ceremony.

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

A serious handshake was exchanged between the Ottawa Mayor, Jim Watson, and the Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau. Justin Trudeau’s both hands covering Jim Watson’s was certainly a sign that real cooperation could be expected.

Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and Justin Trudeau in Ottawa 2015
Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and Justin Trudeau in Ottawa 2015

Soldiers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of which Nathan Cirillo belonged, did a march- about under high protection. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the National War Memorial in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo and the same will be done next year for Warrant officer Patrick Vincent.

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Parade in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Parade in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
Unveiling a commemorative plaque in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Unveiling a commemorative plaque in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada