The Intriguing World of Ilya Traber 2023
Dive into the Untold Stories of Illya Traber
Ilya Ilyich Traber, also known as llya Traber / Antiquarian , is a Russian businessman, mafia boss, and a longtime friend of Vladimir Putin.
Mysterious Life of Ilya Traber
Born in Omsk on 8 September 1950, he completed his education at the Sevastopol Higher Naval School, graduating with the rank of lieutenant. He served in the submarine fleet and was a member of the Communist Party. In 1980, he left the Armed Forces of the USSR and relocated to Leningrad, where he worked as a bartender.
Ilya Traber’s Journey into the World of Antiques and Business Ventures
In the late 1980s, Ilya Traber, also known as Antiquarian, embarked on a new venture, delving into the world of antiques purchasing and resale. His wife had advised him to start dealing with antiques .His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish the antiques commercial center “The Antiquarian” in December 1991, a decision approved by the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council. This strategic move granted him a monopoly right on antiques trading, propelling him to prominence in the industry. Infact this business was handled by his nephew.
Ilya Traber’s success in the antiques market generated substantial wealth, enabling him to diversify his investments into the fuel and seaport sectors. He played a pivotal role in founding several notable companies, including the Petersburg Fuel Company and the Petersburg Oil Terminal. These ventures further solidified his position as a respected figure in the Russian business landscape.
Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Ilya Traber is also credited with introducing Vladimir Putin to Anatoly Sobchak, a prominent political figure who served as the Leningrad City Council speaker and later the mayor of St. Petersburg. This connection highlights Ilyich’s influence and ability to forge strategic alliances.
Today, Ilya Traber and his associates continue to hold significant assets in Northwest Russia, a testament to his enduring impact on the region’s economic landscape. His legacy as a shrewd businessman and astute investor remains a topic of discussion and admiration among those familiar with his remarkable journey.
Ilya Traber Family Biography (Wife, Children)
Ilya Traber is married to a woman named Svetlana Traber, who is also involved in his business activities.that Ilya Traber is divorced from Svetlana Traber and has remarried to a woman named Natalia Von Messing, a Russian with Finnish citizenship.
Ilya Traber Initial Relations With Putin
During the 1990s, Ilya Ilyich, also known as Antiquarian, gained notoriety as the “night commandant” of the St. Petersburg port, a notorious hub for illicit activities. This moniker reflected his alleged control over the port’s operations during the twilight hours, a period when smuggling activities flourished.
As the port transformed into the primary gateway for smuggling contraband, including cocaine, heroin, and fake vodka, Ilyich’s influence extended beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors. His purported authority over the port’s nocturnal activities earned him the title of “night commandant,” a testament to his enigmatic presence in the city’s underbelly.
The port’s transformation into a smuggling hub raised concerns among law enforcement agencies, who sought to curb the illegal movement of goods. However, Ilyich’s alleged connections and influence made it challenging to fully dismantle the illicit networks operating within the port.
Despite the efforts of authorities, the port remained a significant conduit for smuggling activities throughout the 1990s. Ilyich’s involvement in these operations further cemented his reputation as a figure of intrigue and power in the shadowy world of St. Petersburg’s underworld.
The term “night commandant” aptly captures the clandestine nature of Ilyich’s alleged control over the port during the 1990s. His influence in this domain highlights the complexities and contradictions that characterized his life and career.
Allegations of Putin’s Subordination to Ilya Traber in the 1990s
The perception that Vladimir Putin worked under Ilya Traber also known as Antiquarian, during the 1990s has been further fueled by the testimony of Sergei Kosyrev, a former security guard for Traber. Kosyrev claims to have witnessed Putin visiting Ilya Traber at his antique store headquarters in the early 1990s.
According to Kosyrev’s account, Putin sought Ilya Traber’s advice on a matter, but Traber was preoccupied and unable to meet with him immediately. Putin, adhering to the hierarchical structure of the situation, patiently waited in the store’s back room alongside Traber’s guards and other staff until Traber was available.
Kosyrev’s recollections lend credence to the notion that Putin may have deferred to Traber’s authority during this period. While the extent and nature of their relationship remain a matter of speculation, Kosyrev’s firsthand observations provide a glimpse into the dynamics between these two individuals during a pivotal era in Russian history.
“Ilya Traber is more important than Putin, since, as far as I know, Putin worked for him in the 90s when he worked in St. Petersburg’s mayor’s office” (Roberto Masorriaga, Traber’s lawyer at the trial of the Tambov criminal group in Spain, in response to a question from journalists: was it true that Traber attends Putin’s birthday parties on the regular basis. Madrid, April 2018).
llya Traber Links to Switzerland
During the mid-2000s, Ilya Traber established residence in Switzerland, holding a B residence permit and managing personal tax arrangements. In 2006, he invested in an opulent estate in La Tour-de-Peilz (Vaud), encompassing 6,000 square meters of living space with a remarkable 20-meter underground swimming pool. This property, acquired from a Canadian singer for 32 million francs, housed an extraordinary collection of paintings in its basement.
In 2015, according to the land register of the Canton of Vaud, Traber transferred ownership of this lavish property to his wife, Nina Menshikova. Presently, Traber predominantly resides in Saint Petersburg.
Ilya Traber FAQs
Who is Ilya Traber?
Ilya Ilyich Traber, also known as Antiquarian, is a Russian businessman and alleged organized crime figure. He is known for his close ties to Vladimir Putin and his involvement in the smuggling of goods through the St. Petersburg port in the 1990s.
What is Traber’s relationship with Putin?
Traber and Putin are said to have been close friends since the early 1990s. Traber reportedly introduced Putin to Anatoly Sobchak, the mayor of St. Petersburg at the time, who would later become Putin’s mentor. Traber is also alleged to have helped Putin secure his position as head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in 1998.
What is Traber accused of?
Traber has been accused of a variety of crimes, including smuggling, money laundering, and extortion. He has never been convicted of any crime, but he has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.
What is Traber’s current status?
Traber is currently a free man. He lives in St. Petersburg and continues to be involved in business.
What are some interesting facts about Traber?
- Traber is a graduate of the Sevastopol Higher Naval School.
- Traber is a former member of the Communist Party.
- Traber is the founder of several companies, including the Petersburg Fuel Company and the Petersburg Oil Terminal.
- Traber is a collector of antiques.
