Key Takeaways:
– The estranged husband of Russia’s wealthiest woman, Tatyana Bakalchuk, has been arrested and charged with murder.
– Vladislav Bakalchuk led an armed assault on Wildberries’ central Moscow office, resulting in a fatal incident.
– Tatyana Bakalchuk rejects Vladislav’s claims of self-defence, describing them as ‘absurd.’
– The duo is currently going through a divorce process.
– Wildberries, founded by Tatyana Bakalchuk, is Russia’s largest online retailer.
Russia’s Richest Woman’s Estranged Husband Arrested
Vladislav Bakalchuk, the estranged husband of Tatyana Bakalchuk, Russia’s richest woman and CEO of the retail mega-giant Wildberries, found himself embroiled in a storm of controversy after a deadly encounter at the firm’s central Moscow premises on Thursday. Bakalchuk stands accused of several serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, assault of a law enforcement officer, and vigilantism.
The Incrimenting Allegations
Tatyana Bakalchuk released a heart-wrenching statement earlier, accusing her estranged husband of orchestrating an armed assault on the corporate headquarters of Wildberries. This explosive raid resulted in the death of two people, including a security guard. The incident occurred within walking distance of the Kremlin, igniting political tension.
Contradicting Claims
Defending Vladislav, his lawyers claimed that he was on his way to a “pre-agreed meeting to settle a corporate conflict.” Furthermore, they blame office staff for firing the first shots during the deadly incident. These defenses, however, faced stiff opposition from Bakalchuk, who termed her husband’s claims as “absurd.” She strongly refuted any suggestion that she had green-lighted negotiations.
Tensions within the Bakalchuk Household
The incident happened amid a divorce proceeding between Tatyana and Vladislav Bakalchuk. The tensions within the company and the family are mounting high, with Tatyana publicly questioning, “Vladislav, what are you doing? How are you going to look in the eyes of your parents and our children?”
Profile of Wildberries’ Founder
Tatyana Bakalchuk, a self-made billionaire, founded Wildberries in 2004. It started as an online clothes reseller but has since blossomed into a major marketplace, dealing with an extensive range of products. She remains the majority owner of the company, while Vladislav holds just a single percent share. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2021, Tatyana ranked as the world’s 40th richest woman and Russia’s first self-made woman billionaire.
Conclusion
This high-profile incident throws a spotlight on the pressures surrounding the divorce proceedings between the Bakalchuks. As Tatyana Bakalchuk remains a leading figure in the retail industry, any instability could have significant ramifications for Wildberries and the wider retail market. The rapid arrest and serious charges laid against Vladislav Bakalchuk indicate the gravity of this situation, offering a shocking twist to the Forbes billionaires’ story.