Russia's Investigative Committee has dropped the criminal case against St. Petersburg businessman Ilya Traber, citing his "complete non-involvement" in the murder of entrepreneur Alexander Petrov, the outlet Fontanka reported. Traber's lawyer confirmed to TASS that the case against his client had been terminated.
Traber, whom the Spanish prosecutor's office once called one of the leaders of the Tambov organized crime group, now has the right to rehabilitation — compensation for moral and material damage caused by his unlawful detention. On August 27, he left a Moscow pre-trial detention center and headed to St. Petersburg, according to media reports. The outlet Agentstvo reported that an electronic monitoring bracelet was placed on the businessman.
Fontanka also reported that since August 29, Traber has been holding meetings with representatives of the authorities and business circles of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Traber was detained on June 17 by officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB). He was charged with organizing the murder of a deputy in 2020 and was arrested. Fontanka previously reported that the case against Traber was built on the testimony of his former driver, who had returned from captivity.
In the 1990s, Traber was linked to major assets in St. Petersburg, including the sea port, an oil terminal, and fuel companies, TV Rain reported. During his time at the city administration, Vladimir Putin signed decrees that benefited companies Sovex and PTK, which were connected to Traber's circle. The Kremlin denied any direct link between Putin and Traber.