Gergiev

[Christopher]

Some of you may be familiar with Alexei Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation - ACF - (https://acf.international/) - they regularly post thoroughly researched documentaries into the super-wealth of Russia's elite, including Putin, Medvedev and others.  These have enraged the powers that be, presumably due to their high level of accuracy. They are all the more remarkable for sourcing most of their information from open sources publicly available material.

Their latest exposé is into Gergiev.  While his closeness to the Russian elite is well-known and indeed proudly promoted by Gergiev himself, the extent of his wealth, if this exposé is accurate, is beyond belief and certainly beyond anything even a top conductor of several world-leading orchestras could expect to earn.  It's of course for each individual to decide whether and how to separate an artist from his or her political/criminal activities, and where that line lies.

The documentary can be viewed on the ACF website or on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=663&v=g9BOyC37JGU&feature=emb_logo - 48 minutes, in Russian with English subtitles.

A summary of their findings can be read in English in a series of tweets by Russian investigative journalist, and head of the investigative unit of the ACF Maria Pevchikh - https://twitter.com/pevchikh/status/1519319083950481409?s=11&t=eq2Xcf6-zv3Nsl30tUWCuw

[Alan Howe]

While this is a very important issue, as Christopher suggests I think we'll leave it for members to consider for themselves rather than pursue a debate here.