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{{Short description|Latvian businessman (born 1960)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Valērijs Belokoņs
| name = Valērijs Belokoņs
|image = Mr Valeri Belokon.JPG
| image = Mr Valeri Belokon.JPG
|image_size = 200px
| image_size =
|caption = Valērijs Belokoņs at [[Bloomfield Road]]
| caption = Belokoņs at [[Bloomfield Road]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1960|02|14}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1960|02|14}}
|birth_place = [[Riga]], Soviet Latvia
| birth_place = [[Riga]], [[Latvian SSR]]
|death_date =
| death_date =
|death_place =
| death_place =
|nationality = [[Latvian people|Latvian]]
| nationality = [[Latvian people|Latvian]]
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| occupation = [[Businessperson]]
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|children = 3
|known_for = Founder of Baltic International Bank (Latvia); co-owner and former Chairman of [[Blackpool F.C.]]; sole shareholder of (now defunct) [[Manas Bank]] (Kyrgyz Republic
| known_for = Founder of {{Interlanguage link|Baltic International Bank|lv|Baltic International Bank}}<br>former co-owner of [[Blackpool F.C.]]<br>Patron of literature.
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| children = 3
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|occupation = [[Businessperson]]
}}
|home_town = [[Riga]]}}


'''Valērijs Belokoņs''' (also known as Valeri Belokon) (born 14 February 1960) is a [[Latvian people|Latvian]] businessman. He is a majority shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Baltic International Bank, a Latvian commercial bank; a co-owner and former Chairman of [[Blackpool F.C.]] (now disqualified by [[English Football League]] from holding equity interest or management positions in football clubs); and the sole shareholder of the now defunct [[Manas Bank]], a [[Kyrgyzstan]]-based commercial bank which the French and Kyrgyz courts have adjudged to have been established and functioned as an instrumentality for [[money laundering]]. From 12 January 2010 to 4 June 2013, he served as a Trustee of [[The Prince's Foundation for Building Community]].<ref>UK Companies House Records. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03579567/officers Retrieved 25 December 2018. </ref> In 2017, he was convicted of [[money laundering]] and sentenced to 20 years in prison in [[Kyrgyzstan]].
'''Valērijs Belokoņs''' or '''Valeri Belokon''' ({{langx|ru|Валерий Белоконь}}; born 14 February 1960) is a [[Latvia]]n businessman. He is a majority shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board of {{Interlanguage link|Baltic International Bank|lv|Baltic International Bank}}; a former co-owner of [[Blackpool F.C.]] From 12 January 2010 to 4 June 2013, he served as a Trustee of [[The Prince's Foundation for Building Community]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE PRINCE'S FOUNDATION FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03579567/officers |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>

For his continuous support of [[Latvian literature]] he is well known as Patron of literature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manabiblioteka.lv/en/projects/|title=Literature projects supported by Valeri Belokon}}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
Born in [[Riga]], in the former [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic]], Belokoņs studied at the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] (USA) and the [[University of Latvia]], Faculty of [[Philology]].<ref name="eng24-353">{{cite news|title= Exclusive interview with Valeri Belokon|publisher=24 Kg News Agency|date=13 October 2006|url=http://eng.24.kg/community/2006/10/13/353.html|accessdate=4 June 2008}}</ref>
Born in [[Riga]], when Latvia was a [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]], Belokoņs studied at the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] (USA) and the [[University of Latvia]], Faculty of [[Philology]].<ref name="eng24-353">{{cite news|title= Exclusive interview with Valeri Belokon|publisher=24 Kg News Agency|date=13 October 2006|url=http://eng.24.kg/community/2006/10/13/353.html|access-date=4 June 2008}}</ref>


==Early career as a journalist and KGB informant==
==Business career==
Belokoņs is the chairperson of the supervisory board of Baltic International Bank,<ref name="bib.eu">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bib.eu/en|title=Baltic International Bank website|website=bib.eu|language=lv|access-date=14 January 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20231108020627/https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-46653022 Латвия открыла архивы КГБ.]</ref> and his corporation Belokoņs Holdings has interests in [[finance]], [[Mass media|media]], the [[Food industry]] and [[social]] projects in [[Latvia]] as well as football in England.
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In the 1980s, prior to becoming involved in business, Belokoņs worked as a correspondent in ''Soviet Youth'' newspaper in [[Latvia]].<ref>Valeri Belokon: “Patriotism starts with respect to oneself”. Interview with Valērijs Belokoņs. http://www.freecity.lv/persona/51691/ 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.</ref>


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In the 1980s, prior to becoming involved in business, Belokoņs worked as a correspondent in ''Soviet Youth'' newspaper in [[Latvia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Валерий Белоконь: «Патриотизм начинается с уважения к себе» :: Freecity.lv |url=http://www.freecity.lv/persona/51691/ |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=www.freecity.lv}}</ref>
According to [[KGB]] archives which were de-classified and uploaded for open access by the Latvian Government in December 2018, on 8 October 1987 (while Belokoņs was working for ''Soviet Youth'', and six years before he founded Baltic International Bank ("'''BIB'''")), Belokoņs was recruited as a [[KGB]] agent in Latvia and operated under the alias “Myachikov”.<ref>Latvia has Opened KGB Archives. Head of the Church, Former PM and a Significant Businessman happened to be There. https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-46653022 BBC Russian Service. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018. </ref> <ref>Maxim Bakiyev's ex-financial partner was a KGB agent. AKI Press. https://akipress.com/news:614601/ 24 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018. </ref> There have been no reported ties between the Russian intelligence services and BIB since the news of Belokoņs's work for [[KGB]] emerged.


Main business interests:<ref name="BH-businesses">{{cite web|url=http://www.belokonholding.com/eng/business|title=Our Businesses|publisher=Belokon Holdings|access-date=8 September 2008}}</ref>
==Current business interests and appointments==
Belokoņs is the chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Baltic International Bank ("'''BIB'''"), and his corporation Belokoņs Holdings has interests in [[finance]], [[Mass media|media]], the [[Food industry]] and [[social]] projects in [[Latvia]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]] as well as football in England. These include<ref name="BH-businesses">{{cite web|title= Our Businesses|publisher= Belokon Holdings|url=http://www.belokonholding.com/eng/business|accessdate=8 September 2008}}</ref>


*Finance and investments
=== Finance and investments ===
*Baltic International Bank<ref name="bib.eu" /> – founded in 1993,{{efn|Baltic International Bank (BIB) was known as ''Joint Stock Company "BALTIJAS STARPTAUTISKĀ BANKA"'' (BSB) ({{langx|lv|Akciju sabiedrība "BALTIJAS STARPTAUTISKĀ BANKA"}}) until 10 June 2003.<ref name=BIBfirmasLV>{{cite web |url=https://www.firmas.lv/profile/baltic-international-bank-se/40003127883 |title=Baltic International Bank, SE |trans-title=Baltic International Bank, SE |language=lv |work=Firmas.lv |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref>}} servicing VIP customers. Position - founder, main shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board.<ref name="BIBfirmasLV" /> Representative offices opened in Moscow in 2004, London in 2005, and Kyiv in 2007.<ref name="bib.eu" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bib.eu/en/about-bank |title=Baltic International Bank. About bank: OUR HISTORY |work=Baltic International Bank (bib.eu) website |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref> In 2020, Belokon held a 62.08% stake and his brother Vilorijs Belokon ({{langx|lv|Vilorijs Belokoņs}}){{efn|''Vilorijs'' can be translated as Vilory or Wilory.}} held a 32.99% stake.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.firmas.lv/news/post/news5e8c33036ca31+L%C4%ABdzdal%C4%ABbu__Baltic_International_Bank__kapit%C4%81l%C4%81_nedaudz_samazin%C4%81jis_Val%C4%93rijs_Beloko%C5%86s |title=Līdzdalību "Baltic International Bank" kapitālā nedaudz samazinājis Valērijs Belokoņs |trans-title=Valērijs Belokoņs has slightly reduced his participation in the capital of Baltic International Bank |language=lv |work=Firmas.lv |date=7 April 2020 |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref>{{efn|In 2016, the largest creditor to [[Boris Berezovsky (businessman)|Boris Berezovsky]]'s estate was Baltic International Bank.<ref>{{cite news |last=Оверченко |first=Михаил (Overchenko, Mikhail) |url=http://www.compromat.ru/page_37155.htm |title=Березовский признан банкротом посмертно: Британский суд оценил оставшиеся после смерти экс-миллиардера активы в £34 млн при долгах на £309 млн |trans-title=Berezovsky is declared bankrupt posthumously: British court estimated the assets remaining after the death of the ex-billionaire at £ 34 million with debts of £ 309 million |language=ru |work=[[Vedomosti]] |via=compromat.ru |date=26 July 2016 |access-date=20 July 2021 |quote=}} Vedomosti website is [https://www.vedomosti.ru/finance/articles/2016/07/26/650538-londonskii-sud-zanachka Лондонский суд узнал, что такое zanachka: Борис Березовский был «безнадежно неплатежеспособным», признал судья (London court learned what zanachka is: Boris Berezovsky was "hopelessly insolvent", the judge admitted)].</ref>}} On 11 February 1999, {{Interlanguage link|Latvian Industrial Bank|lv|Latvijas Industriālā banka}} became insolvent and on 23 December 1999 the "BALTIJAS STARPTAUTISKĀ BANKA" (BSB), which is what Baltic International Bank was known as then, gained Lainbanka's assets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.firmas.lv/profile/latvijas-industriala-banka/40003048028 |title=LATVIJAS INDUSTRIĀLĀ BANKA, Akciju sabiedrība |trans-title=Latvian Industrial Bank |language=lv |work=Firmas.lv |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://vecs.db.lv/laikraksta-arhivs/citas/lainbanka-pievienota-bsb-364993?reloadSubscriptions=true |title=Lainbanka pievienota BSB |trans-title=Lainbanka added to BSB |language=lv |work=[[:lv:Dienas Bizness|Dienas Bizness]] |date=30 December 1999 |access-date=20 March 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>{{efn|Valts Vīgants and Vilis Dambiņš were the president and the vice-president of Lainbanka, respectively, when Lainbanka went into holding. Lainbanka had a very large number of accounts associated with either Russians or Russian entities.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.db.lv/laikraksta-arhivs/citas/lainbanka-mekle-vainigos-333016 |title=Lainbanka mekle vainigos |trans-title=Lainbanka is looking for a crown |language=lv |work=[[:lv:Dienas Bizness|Dienas Bizness]] (db.lv) |access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://news.lv/sitemaps/80/1999.xml news.lv 1999 archive]</ref><ref>[https://news.lv/library/archive news.lv archive]</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/latvia-russia-connections-emerge-from-panama-papers.a176608/ |title=Latvia-Russia connections emerge from 'Panama Papers' |work=[[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]] (eng.lsm.lv) |date=5 April 2016 |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108121218/https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/latvia-russia-connections-emerge-from-panama-papers.a176608/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Jemberga |first=Sanita |url=https://en.rebaltica.lv/2017/05/latvian-financier-said-to-act-as-a-go-between-to-get-russian-loan-for-le-pen/ |title=Latvian financier said to act as a go-between to get Russian loan for Le Pen |work=[[Re:Baltica]] (rebaltica.lv) |date=2 May 2017 |access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>}}{{efn|Baltic International Bank was involved in the [[Ūkio bankas|Ukio Bankas]] [[Sberbank CIB#Troika Laundromat|Troika laundromat also known as ŪkioLeaks]].<ref name=UkioBankasImage>{{cite news |url=https://www.reportingproject.net/proxy/images/MONEY_LAUNDERING_SCHEME.jpg |title=Ukios Bankas money laundering image |work=[[Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project|Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)]] |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=21 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>}}
**Baltic International Bank ("'''BIB'''") – founded in 1993, servicing VIP customers. Position - Founder, Main Shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Representative offices based in London, Moscow and Kiev
*Maval Aktivi AS - a holding company jointly formed in June 2006 with [[Maxim Bakiev]]<ref name="Vokrug">{{cite news |author=Вокруг Новости staff |url=http://www.vokruginfo.ru/news/news25135.html |title=Младший сын президента Бакиева Максим и его друзья из MGN Group осуществили финансовый захват Киргизии |trans-title=The youngest son of President Bakiev Maxim and his friends from MGN Group carried out the financial seizure of Kyrgyzstan |language=ru |work=ПрессНаз.ру |via="Вокруг новостей" (Vokrug Novosti) (vokruginfo.ru) |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904235424/http://www.vokruginfo.ru/news/news25135.html}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090907232706/http://pressnaz.ru/news/128.html Archived] from pressnaz.ru on 7 September 2009. [http://www.compromat.ru/page_28215.htm Archived] at compromat.ru on 1 September 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Burke |first=Justin |url=https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstan-banking-tussle-nearing-resolution |title=Kyrgyzstan: Banking Tussle Nearing Resolution? |work=eurasianet.org |date=26 September 2013 |access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Doward |first=Jamie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/12/prince-charles-kyrgyzstan-valeri-belokon |title=Prince Charles's banker friend in Asia cash feud: Valeri Belokon, president of Blackpool FC, says claims of money laundering in Kyrgyzstan are politically motivated |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=12 January 2013 |access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref>
**Manas Bank – founded in 2008 in [[Bishkek]], Kyrgyzstan and adjudged in 2017 by the French and Kyrgyz courts to have been established and functioned as an instrumentality for [[money laundering]]; in insolvent liquidation since 6 July 2015
*JSC "Brīvais vilnis" establish 1 December 2014. Formerly known as SIA „BALTIC FINANCE & CAPITAL” until 1 December 2014 when JSC "Brīvais vilnis" gained a 100% stake and on 2 December 2014 SIA „BALTIC FINANCE & CAPITAL” was removed from the register of Latvian companies. On 1 December 2014, the brothers Belokon, who act in concert, held a 97.25% stake in JSC "Brīvais vilnis".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2014/12/05/688895/0/lv/Paziņojums-par-netiešas-būtiskas-līdzdalības-iegūšanu.html |title=Paziņojums par netiešas būtiskas līdzdalības iegūšanu |trans-title=Notice of acquisition of an indirect qualifying holding |language=lv |work=globalnewswire.com |date=5 December 2014 |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref> On 11 February 2019, JSC "Brīvais vilnis" became a closed firm and ended trading on the regulated market.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/02/11/1716710/0/en/Draft-decision-of-28-02-2019-extraordinary-shareholders-meeting-of-the-JSC-Brivais-vilnis.html |title=Draft decision of 28.02.2019 extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the JSC "Brivais vilnis" |work=globalnewswire.com |date=11 February 2019 |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref>
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**Since 2007- JSC Investment Management Company Global Fondi - co-founded by ex Prime Minister of Latvia, The former Chairman of National Bank of Latvia - [[Einars Repše]]
*[[Manas Bank]] – formerly Insan Bank ({{langx|ru|банка «Инсан»}}) in [[Bishkek]], Kyrgyzstan. Acquired in 2008.<ref name="GlobalWitness">{{cite web |url=https://cdn.globalwitness.org/archive/files/gravesecrecy.pdf |title=Grave Secrecy: How a Dead Man Can Own a UK Company and Other Hair-raising Stories About Hidden Company Ownership From Kyrgyzstan and Beyond |work=[[Global Witness]] |page=49 |date=June 2012 |access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref> Placed in insolvent liquidation on 6 July 2015. Position - Sole owner. On a petition from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Paris Court of Appeal of the French Republic found on 21 February 2017 "that Insan Bank was taken over by Mr Belokon in order to develop, in a state where his privileged relations with the holder of economic power guaranteed him the absence of any true monitoring of his activities, money laundering practices which could not have flourished in the less favourable environment of Latvia."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Conn |first=David |date=18 October 2018 |title=Blackpool FC, a Kyrgyzstan money-laundering conviction and a non-takeover |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/18/blackpool-takeover-valeri-belokon-owen-oyston |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="bib.eu" /> Belokons and 31 others were indicted by [[Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyz]] authorities for alleged [[money laundering]].<ref name="GlobalWitness" />
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**Since 2009 - JSC Hercogiste - company's aim is to develop sustainable projects in Latvia
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*Since 2007- JSC Investment Management Company Global Fondi - co-founded by ex Prime Minister of Latvia, The former Chairman of National Bank of Latvia - [[Einars Repše]]
*Food industry
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*Since 2009 - JSC Hercogiste - company's aim is to develop sustainable projects in Latvia
**JSC Brīvais Vilnis (Established in 1949) – One of the biggest and most developed fish-processing enterprise in Latvia
*Media
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**''[[List of newspapers in Latvia|Otkritij Gorod]]'' – a monthly magazine in Baltic countries
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**''Novo News'' – a daily Internet newspaper
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**Since 1995 - Valērijs Belokoņs's Publishing House Ltd – became popular with the National encyclopaedia Latvijas Enciklopēdija and annual edition Who's Who in Latvia
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*Social Projects
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**Baltic Institute of Strategic Studies – a non-profit scientific research organization founded in 2004.
**Riga Golf School – Founded in 2003 - charity project - first sport school of golf in Latvia that serves as basics for young generation to be introduced to golf culture.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}


=== Media ===
In June 2008, Belokoņs sold his 30% stake in the Latvian [[television station]] [[Television in Latvia|TV5]] to the [[News Corporation]] owned by [[Rupert Murdoch]].<ref name="bcm2116">{{cite news| last = Kolyako| first = Nina| title = Murdoch takes over Latvian TV5| publisher = ''The Baltic Course magazine'' | date = 2 June 2008 | url = http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=2116 | accessdate = 8 September 2008}}</ref>
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*''[[List of newspapers in Latvia|Otkritij Gorod]]'' – a monthly magazine in Baltic countries
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*''Novo News'' – a daily Internet newspaper
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*Since 1995 - Valērijs Belokoņs's Publishing House Ltd – became popular with the National encyclopaedia Latvijas Enciklopēdija and annual edition Who's Who in Latvia


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=== Social Projects ===
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*Baltic Institute of Strategic Studies – a non-profit scientific research organization founded in 2004.


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== Blackpool F.C. ==
==Baltic International Bank, Latvia ("BIB")==
Through Belokoņs Holdings and VB Football Assets, Belokon bought a 20% stake in Blackpool Football Club in 2006, and is the club's president. In June 2007 he stated that he was prepared to increase his stake in Blackpool from 20% to 50% following the club's promotion to [[Football League Championship|The Championship]].
According to the website of AS Baltic International Bank (“BIB”), Valērijs Belokoņs holds 66.95% in BIB whilst his brother Vilori Belokoņs holds 32.99%.<ref>https://www.bib.eu/en/shareholders </ref>


On 8 July 2008, Belokoņs announced that he and [[Owen Oyston]], the majority share-holder of the club, would be personally financing the construction of the new South Stand and South-west corner at [[Bloomfield Road]], with work to start immediately.
BIB provides a range of financial services to individuals and corporate customers in Latvia. It accepts fiduciary, term, 33 day notice, and subordinated deposits, as well as money deposits and other funds, and multicurrency accounts. It also offers commercial, mortgage, industrial, and consumer loans; overdrafts; and trade financing services, as well as short-term and long-term loans for business development. In addition, BIB provides cash and liquidity management, and asset management services, as well as bank bonds; invests in financial instruments portfolio and private equities; and offers co-financing for business projects and transactions. Further, it offers brokerage, repo transactional, and custody services, as well as structured financial products; operates online trading platforms; and invests in precious metals, gold, and funds. Additionally, BIB engages in the provision of payment, remote, and currency exchange services; cards; and funds transfer, treasury, and capital market services, as well as real estate business.<ref>https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=34391976</ref>


On 31 July 2009, it was announced that Belokoņs was setting up a new transfer fund for Blackpool, into which he was adding a "considerable amount" on 5 August in order to invest in new players identified by team manager [[Ian Holloway]].
On 10 March 2016, Latvia’s financial regulator, Financial and Capital Market Commission, fined BIB €1.1 million for “''repeated violations of the provisions of the Law on the Prevention of Laundering the Proceeds from Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) and of Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) and Regulations on Customer Due Diligence, getting involved in transactions that subject the bank to material money laundering and reputational risks''”.<ref>Press release of the Latvian Financial and Capital Market Commission. http://www.fktk.lv/en/publications/press-releases/5657-fcmc-applies-fines-to-as-baltic-international-bank-and-its-board-chair.html 10 March 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2018.</ref> BIB's money laundering lapses were connected with Manas Bank, a bank in the Kyrgyz Republic wholly owned by Belokoņs (see below).


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On 22 May 2010, Blackpool were promoted to the top tier of English football, the [[Premier League]], one year sooner than Belokoņs had predicted when joining the club in 2006.


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In September 2015, Belokoņs initiated legal action against the Oystons, alleging improper use of club funds.
==Manas Bank, Kyrgyz Republic==
In 2007, Belokoņs acquired a small bank in [[Kyrgyzstan]] and renamed it as Manas Bank. Manas Bank started its operations from 1 January 2018, offering a range of corporate and retail banking services. Within 28 months, on 8 April 2010, the [[National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic]] placed Manas Bank under its administration to investigate [[money laundering]]. On 6 July 2015, Manas Bank was placed into insolvent liquidation.


In August 2017, Belokoņs resigned as director of Blackpool. In November 2017 a court determined that Owen Oyston and his son had abused their majority shareholding position at the club in a manner that was detrimental both to the business and Belokons himself. They were ordered to pay £31 million to buy out Belokons' share of the business.
In August 2011, Belokoņs pursued [[international arbitration]] against the Kyrgyz Republic claiming that the government's interference with Manas Bank amounted to “[[expropriation]]” of the bank. On 24 October 2014, the Paris-seated [[arbitral tribunal]] awarded Belokoņs a US $15 million compensation (plus legal costs) for the “[[expropriation]]” of Manas.<ref>UNCITRAL Arbitral Award in the matter of Belokon v Kyrgyz Republic dated 24 October 2014. https://www.italaw.com/sites/default/files/case-documents/ITA%20LAW%207008_0.pdf Retrieved 24 December 2018.</ref>


Simon Sadler became Blackpool's new owner in June 2019. He acquired a 96.2% stake in the club.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/why-simon-sadler-s-takeover-means-blackpool-fc-are-oyston-free-for-good-1-9821764 "Why Simon Sadler's takeover means Blackpool FC are Oyston free for good"] - ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'', 13 June 2019</ref>
However, upon [[Kyrgyzstan]]’s appeal in France (France was the seat of arbitration), on 21 February 2017 the [[Paris Court of Appeal]] annulled the arbitral award finding that Belokons had bought Manas Bank “''in order to develop … [[money laundering]] practices''”. <ref>Judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal in the matter of Valeri Belokon v Kyrgyz Republic. Investment Treaty Law Portal. https://www.italaw.com/sites/default/files/case-documents/italaw8476.PDF 21 February 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2018.</ref>

In particular, the court found that after Belokoņs took over Manas Bank, $5.2bn flowed through its accounts in less than three years, and concluded this “''dazzling success''” in a poor country “''cannot be explained by orthodox banking practices''”.<ref>Id.</ref> Bank records presented to the court showed that client accounts had been opened in the names of people whose identification documents, including passport details, had been stolen. One Manas Bank client, [[New Zealand]]-registered company Lakerock Contracts Ltd, had $534m go through its account in nine months. Examination of the company’s registration documents found the named company head, and sole signatory for the multimillion-dollar account, was a taxi driver in [[Belarus]]. When interviewed by the [[Belarus]] police, he told officers he had never signed any of the documents and knew nothing about Manas Bank or Lakerock. Another company UK-registered BMD Commerce, had $24m through its account in a year, including multimillion-dollar physical cash deposits and withdrawals. The authorised account holder on the Manas Bank forms was a resident of [[Latvia]]. Latvian police and Kyrgyz border records showed this person to be a 20-year-old man who had never been to Kyrgyzstan. Subsequently the investigation found he was serving a prison sentence in Latvia when much of the account activity was taking place.<ref>Blackpool FC, a Kyrgyzstan money-laundering conviction and a non-takeover.
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The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/18/blackpool-takeover-valeri-belokon-owen-oyston Retrieved 26 December 2018. </ref>

==Criminal conviction for money laundering==
Following a criminal investigation in [[Kyrgyzstan]] into Manas Bank which started in 2011, on 12 May 2017, Belokoņs, several members of Manas Bank management and [[Maxim Bakiyev]] (the son of the former President of [[Kyrgyzstan]] [[Kurmanbek Bakiyev]]) were convicted [[in absentia]] of [[money laundering]] by the Kyrgyz court. Belokon was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Kyrgyz criminal verdict was based on substantially the same evidence as that put before the [[Paris Court of Appeal]] three months earlier (in February 2017), and in it the Kyrgyz criminal court came to substantially the same conclusions as the [[Paris Court of Appeal]], namely that [[money laundering]] was flourishing at Manas Bank, Manas Bank and BIB worked jointly to administer money laundering schemes, that in his capacity as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BIB and the sole shareholder of Manas Bank, Mr Belokon could not have been unaware of those practices and that that he had established Manas Bank not to make profit from the legitimate banking business but to engage in [[money laundering]], and that Belokon’s substantial association with [[Maxim Bakiyev]](the son of the then President of [[Kyrgyzstan]] [[Kurmanbek Bakiyev]]) helped Manas Bank operate in this manner without any interference by the regulators. <ref>Kyrgyzstan government hands Valeri Belokon a '20-year sentence'. Kabar. http://kabar.kg/eng/news/kyrgyzstan-government-hands-valeri-belokon-a-20-year-sentence/ Published 18 May 2017.
Retrieved 26 December 2018. </ref><ref>Blackpool FC, a Kyrgyzstan money-laundering conviction and a non-takeover.
The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/18/blackpool-takeover-valeri-belokon-owen-oyston Retrieved 26 December 2018. </ref>

Following the verdict, the Latvian Foreign Ministry lodged a formal protest with the Kyrgyz authorities “''express[ing its] concern about the gross violations of the Kyrgyz Republic's criminal procedural norms by certain members of the country's law enforcement agencies in this case''”. The Ministry further said “''We firmly believe that the court made its judgment in revenge for the unfavourable international arbitration award that Kyrgyzstan received and whereby the Kyrgyz Government was ordered to pay Latvian citizen Valeri Belokon US$16.5 million as compensation''." Separately Belokon claimed that the criminal process “''ignored the most basic principles of natural justice''”, including that he was not even given notice that the hearing was happening. However, the Paris Court of Appeal judgment notes that criminal proceedings began in Kyrgyzstan in January 2011, some three years before Belokoņs’s win in the arbitration, and the conviction records show that whilst Belokoņs did not appear at the trial himself, he had lawyers at the court representing him.<ref>Id</

⚫
==Blackpool F.C.==
Through Belokoņs Holdings and VB Football Assets,<ref name="Belokon Holdings">{{cite news|title=VB Football Assets|url=http://www.belokonholding.com/eng/football/|publisher=Belokon Holdings|accessdate=6 March 2007}}</ref> Belokon bought a 20% stake in Blackpool Football Club in 2006, and is the club's president.<ref name="Blackpool Gazette060510">{{cite news |last=Canavan |first=Steve |title=The president of blackpool|publisher=[[Blackpool Gazette]] |date=19 May 2006 |url=http://www.blackpooltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=64&ArticleID=1514297|accessdate=6 March 2007}}</ref> In June 2007 he stated that he was prepared to increase his stake in Blackpool from 20% to 50% following the clubs promotion to [[Football League Championship|The Championship]].<ref name="Blackpool Gazette070612">{{cite news |last=Stocks |first=Rob |title=Belokon to increase stake?|publisher=[[Blackpool Gazette]] |date=12 June 2007 |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news?articleid=2945228|accessdate=13 June 2007}}</ref>

On 8 July 2008, Belokoņs announced that he and [[Owen Oyston]], the majority share-holder of the club, would be personally financing the construction of the new South Stand and South-west corner at [[Bloomfield Road]], with work to start immediately.<ref name="BFC1340591">{{cite news | title=Official Club Statement | publisher=[[Blackpool F.C.]] | date=8 July 2008 | url=http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1340591,00.html | accessdate=8 September 2008 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927130913/http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1340591%2C00.html | archivedate=27 September 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 31 July 2009, it was announced that Belokoņs was setting up a new transfer fund for Blackpool, into which he was adding a "considerable amount" on 5 August in order to invest in new players identified by team manager [[Ian Holloway]].<ref name="bfc1739446">{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1739446,00.html|title=Club Statement|date=31 July 2009|publisher=[[Blackpool F.C.]]|accessdate=6 August 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804060702/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1739446%2C00.html|archivedate=4 August 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

⚫
On 22 May 2010, [[Blackpool F.C.]] were promoted to the top tier of English football, the [[Premier League]], one year sooner than Belokoņs had predicted when joining the club in 2006.

⚫
In September 2015, Belokoņs initiated legal action against the Oystons, alleging improper use of club funds.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-34268761</ref>

In August 2017, Belokoņs resigned as director of [[Blackpool F.C.]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41018191 Valeri Belokon: Blackpool club president resigns as director of club]. BBC SPORT. Published 23 August 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.</ref> In September 2017, the [[English Football League]] disqualified Belokoņs from being an owner or a director of a football club under its Owners’ and Directors’ test, in connection with Belokoņs's [[money laundering]] conviction.<ref>Blackpool FC Statement. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2017/september/club-statement/ 28 September 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2018. </ref> <ref>Valeri Belokon: Football League disqualifies former Blackpool director. BBC SPORT. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41429743 Published 28 September 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2018. </ref>

In November 2017 a court determined that Owen Oyston and his son had abused their majority shareholding position at [[Blackpool F.C.]] in a manner that was detrimental both to the business and Belokons himself. They were ordered to pay £31 million to buy out Belokons' share of the business. Club supporters were hopeful that the amount set by the court was so high that the Oyston family would be forced instead to sell their interest.<ref>{{cite news |work=BBC News |title=Valeri Belokon wins Blackpool FC court battle with Oystons |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-41890855 |date=6 November 2017 |accessdate=2017-11-07}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
⚫
Belokoņs has three children.<ref name="eng24-353" />
Until 2017, Belokoņs was married to Diana Belokoņs. In 2017, they were reported to have expended £1.75 million in legal fees on their divorce proceedings before the English [[High Court of Justice]], in which Belokoņs’s ex-wife sought several million pounds while Mr Belokoņs was arguing that she should get nothing.<ref>The Times, Big Money Divorce is Good for the Economy, https://www.thetimesbrief.co.uk/users/39175-the-brief-team/posts/34195-big-money-divorce-is-good-for-the-economy-says-judge</ref>


==Notes==
⚫
Belokoņs has three children.<ref name="eng24-353"/>
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[BBC Russian Service, 21 December 2018, Latvia has Opened KGB Archives. Head of the Church, Former PM and a Significant Businessman happened to be There: https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-46653022]
*[BBC Russian Service, 21 December 2018, Latvia has Opened KGB Archives. Head of the Church, Former PM and a Significant Businessman happened to be There: https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-46653022]
*[Press release of the Latvian Financial and Capital Market Commission: http://www.fktk.lv/en/publications/press-releases/5657-fcmc-applies-fines-to-as-baltic-international-bank-and-its-board-chair.html]
*[Press release of the Latvian Financial and Capital Market Commission: http://www.fktk.lv/en/publications/press-releases/5657-fcmc-applies-fines-to-as-baltic-international-bank-and-its-board-chair.html]
⚫
*[The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/18/blackpool-takeover-valeri-belokon-owen-oyston]
*[Judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal dated 21 February 2017 in the matter of Belokon v Kyrgyz Republic: https://www.italaw.com/sites/default/files/case-documents/italaw8476.PDF]
*[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/18/blackpool-takeover-valeri-belokon-owen-oyston]
*[http://kabar.kg/eng/news/kyrgyzstan-government-hands-valeri-belokon-a-20-year-sentence/]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/6219357.stm "Tangerine dream"] – a Q&A with Belokon from [[BBC Sport]]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/6219357.stm "Tangerine dream"] – a Q&A with Belokon from [[BBC Sport]]
*[http://www.belokonholding.com/ Belokon Holdings website]
*[http://www.belokonholding.com/ Belokon Holdings website]
*[http://www.bib.eu/ Baltic International Bank website]
*[http://www.bib.eu/ Baltic International Bank website]
*[https://www.manabiblioteka.lv/en/about/ Social project - Bibliotēka (Library)]
*[http://www.princes-foundation.org/ The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment website]
*[http://www.princes-foundation.org/ The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment website]

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:People from Riga]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Riga]]
[[Category:University of Latvia alumni]]
[[Category:University of Latvia alumni]]

Latest revision as of 23:40, 8 November 2024

Valērijs Belokoņs
Belokoņs at Bloomfield Road
Born (1960-02-14) 14 February 1960 (age 64)
Riga, Latvian SSR
NationalityLatvian
OccupationBusinessperson
Known forFounder of Baltic International Bank [lv]
former co-owner of Blackpool F.C.
Patron of literature.
Children3

Valērijs Belokoņs or Valeri Belokon (Russian: Валерий Белоконь; born 14 February 1960) is a Latvian businessman. He is a majority shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board of Baltic International Bank [lv]; a former co-owner of Blackpool F.C. From 12 January 2010 to 4 June 2013, he served as a Trustee of The Prince's Foundation for Building Community.[1]

For his continuous support of Latvian literature he is well known as Patron of literature.[2]

Education

[edit]

Born in Riga, when Latvia was a part of the Soviet Union, Belokoņs studied at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (USA) and the University of Latvia, Faculty of Philology.[3]

Business career

[edit]

Belokoņs is the chairperson of the supervisory board of Baltic International Bank,[4][5] and his corporation Belokoņs Holdings has interests in finance, media, the Food industry and social projects in Latvia as well as football in England.

In the 1980s, prior to becoming involved in business, Belokoņs worked as a correspondent in Soviet Youth newspaper in Latvia.[6]

Main business interests:[7]

Finance and investments

[edit]
  • Baltic International Bank[4] – founded in 1993,[a] servicing VIP customers. Position - founder, main shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board.[8] Representative offices opened in Moscow in 2004, London in 2005, and Kyiv in 2007.[4][9] In 2020, Belokon held a 62.08% stake and his brother Vilorijs Belokon (Latvian: Vilorijs Belokoņs)[b] held a 32.99% stake.[10][c] On 11 February 1999, Latvian Industrial Bank [lv] became insolvent and on 23 December 1999 the "BALTIJAS STARPTAUTISKĀ BANKA" (BSB), which is what Baltic International Bank was known as then, gained Lainbanka's assets.[12][13][d][e]
  • Maval Aktivi AS - a holding company jointly formed in June 2006 with Maxim Bakiev[20][21][22]
  • JSC "Brīvais vilnis" establish 1 December 2014. Formerly known as SIA „BALTIC FINANCE & CAPITAL” until 1 December 2014 when JSC "Brīvais vilnis" gained a 100% stake and on 2 December 2014 SIA „BALTIC FINANCE & CAPITAL” was removed from the register of Latvian companies. On 1 December 2014, the brothers Belokon, who act in concert, held a 97.25% stake in JSC "Brīvais vilnis".[23] On 11 February 2019, JSC "Brīvais vilnis" became a closed firm and ended trading on the regulated market.[24]
  • Manas Bank – formerly Insan Bank (Russian: банка «Инсан») in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Acquired in 2008.[25] Placed in insolvent liquidation on 6 July 2015. Position - Sole owner. On a petition from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Paris Court of Appeal of the French Republic found on 21 February 2017 "that Insan Bank was taken over by Mr Belokon in order to develop, in a state where his privileged relations with the holder of economic power guaranteed him the absence of any true monitoring of his activities, money laundering practices which could not have flourished in the less favourable environment of Latvia."[26][4] Belokons and 31 others were indicted by Kyrgyz authorities for alleged money laundering.[25]
  • Since 2007- JSC Investment Management Company Global Fondi - co-founded by ex Prime Minister of Latvia, The former Chairman of National Bank of Latvia - Einars Repše
  • Since 2009 - JSC Hercogiste - company's aim is to develop sustainable projects in Latvia

Media

[edit]
  • Otkritij Gorod – a monthly magazine in Baltic countries
  • Novo News – a daily Internet newspaper
  • Since 1995 - Valērijs Belokoņs's Publishing House Ltd – became popular with the National encyclopaedia Latvijas Enciklopēdija and annual edition Who's Who in Latvia

Social Projects

[edit]
  • Baltic Institute of Strategic Studies – a non-profit scientific research organization founded in 2004.

Blackpool F.C.

[edit]

Through Belokoņs Holdings and VB Football Assets, Belokon bought a 20% stake in Blackpool Football Club in 2006, and is the club's president. In June 2007 he stated that he was prepared to increase his stake in Blackpool from 20% to 50% following the club's promotion to The Championship.

On 8 July 2008, Belokoņs announced that he and Owen Oyston, the majority share-holder of the club, would be personally financing the construction of the new South Stand and South-west corner at Bloomfield Road, with work to start immediately.

On 31 July 2009, it was announced that Belokoņs was setting up a new transfer fund for Blackpool, into which he was adding a "considerable amount" on 5 August in order to invest in new players identified by team manager Ian Holloway.

On 22 May 2010, Blackpool were promoted to the top tier of English football, the Premier League, one year sooner than Belokoņs had predicted when joining the club in 2006.

In September 2015, Belokoņs initiated legal action against the Oystons, alleging improper use of club funds.

In August 2017, Belokoņs resigned as director of Blackpool. In November 2017 a court determined that Owen Oyston and his son had abused their majority shareholding position at the club in a manner that was detrimental both to the business and Belokons himself. They were ordered to pay £31 million to buy out Belokons' share of the business.

Simon Sadler became Blackpool's new owner in June 2019. He acquired a 96.2% stake in the club.[27]

Personal life

[edit]

Belokoņs has three children.[3]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Baltic International Bank (BIB) was known as Joint Stock Company "BALTIJAS STARPTAUTISKĀ BANKA" (BSB) (Latvian: Akciju sabiedrība "BALTIJAS STARPTAUTISKĀ BANKA") until 10 June 2003.[8]
  2. ^ Vilorijs can be translated as Vilory or Wilory.
  3. ^ In 2016, the largest creditor to Boris Berezovsky's estate was Baltic International Bank.[11]
  4. ^ Valts Vīgants and Vilis Dambiņš were the president and the vice-president of Lainbanka, respectively, when Lainbanka went into holding. Lainbanka had a very large number of accounts associated with either Russians or Russian entities.[14][15][16][17][18]
  5. ^ Baltic International Bank was involved in the Ukio Bankas Troika laundromat also known as ŪkioLeaks.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "THE PRINCE'S FOUNDATION FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Literature projects supported by Valeri Belokon".
  3. ^ a b "Exclusive interview with Valeri Belokon". 24 Kg News Agency. 13 October 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d "Baltic International Bank website". bib.eu (in Latvian). Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  5. ^ Латвия открыла архивы КГБ.
  6. ^ "Валерий Белоконь: «Патриотизм начинается с уважения к себе» :: Freecity.lv". www.freecity.lv. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Our Businesses". Belokon Holdings. Retrieved 8 September 2008.
  8. ^ a b "Baltic International Bank, SE" [Baltic International Bank, SE]. Firmas.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Baltic International Bank. About bank: OUR HISTORY". Baltic International Bank (bib.eu) website. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Līdzdalību "Baltic International Bank" kapitālā nedaudz samazinājis Valērijs Belokoņs" [Valērijs Belokoņs has slightly reduced his participation in the capital of Baltic International Bank]. Firmas.lv (in Latvian). 7 April 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  11. ^ Оверченко, Михаил (Overchenko, Mikhail) (26 July 2016). "Березовский признан банкротом посмертно: Британский суд оценил оставшиеся после смерти экс-миллиардера активы в £34 млн при долгах на £309 млн" [Berezovsky is declared bankrupt posthumously: British court estimated the assets remaining after the death of the ex-billionaire at £ 34 million with debts of £ 309 million]. Vedomosti (in Russian). Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via compromat.ru.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Vedomosti website is Лондонский суд узнал, что такое zanachka: Борис Березовский был «безнадежно неплатежеспособным», признал судья (London court learned what zanachka is: Boris Berezovsky was "hopelessly insolvent", the judge admitted).
  12. ^ "LATVIJAS INDUSTRIĀLĀ BANKA, Akciju sabiedrība" [Latvian Industrial Bank]. Firmas.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Lainbanka pievienota BSB" [Lainbanka added to BSB]. Dienas Bizness (in Latvian). 30 December 1999. Retrieved 20 March 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Lainbanka mekle vainigos" [Lainbanka is looking for a crown]. Dienas Bizness (db.lv) (in Latvian). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  15. ^ news.lv 1999 archive
  16. ^ news.lv archive
  17. ^ "Latvia-Russia connections emerge from 'Panama Papers'". Public Broadcasting of Latvia (eng.lsm.lv). 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  18. ^ Jemberga, Sanita (2 May 2017). "Latvian financier said to act as a go-between to get Russian loan for Le Pen". Re:Baltica (rebaltica.lv). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Ukios Bankas money laundering image". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). 22 November 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  20. ^ Вокруг Новости staff (1 September 2009). "Младший сын президента Бакиева Максим и его друзья из MGN Group осуществили финансовый захват Киргизии" [The youngest son of President Bakiev Maxim and his friends from MGN Group carried out the financial seizure of Kyrgyzstan]. ПрессНаз.ру (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 September 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2021 – via "Вокруг новостей" (Vokrug Novosti) (vokruginfo.ru). Archived from pressnaz.ru on 7 September 2009. Archived at compromat.ru on 1 September 2009.
  21. ^ Burke, Justin (26 September 2013). "Kyrgyzstan: Banking Tussle Nearing Resolution?". eurasianet.org. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  22. ^ Doward, Jamie (12 January 2013). "Prince Charles's banker friend in Asia cash feud: Valeri Belokon, president of Blackpool FC, says claims of money laundering in Kyrgyzstan are politically motivated". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Paziņojums par netiešas būtiskas līdzdalības iegūšanu" [Notice of acquisition of an indirect qualifying holding]. globalnewswire.com (in Latvian). 5 December 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Draft decision of 28.02.2019 extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the JSC "Brivais vilnis"". globalnewswire.com (Press release). 11 February 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Grave Secrecy: How a Dead Man Can Own a UK Company and Other Hair-raising Stories About Hidden Company Ownership From Kyrgyzstan and Beyond" (PDF). Global Witness. June 2012. p. 49. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  26. ^ Conn, David (18 October 2018). "Blackpool FC, a Kyrgyzstan money-laundering conviction and a non-takeover". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Why Simon Sadler's takeover means Blackpool FC are Oyston free for good" - Blackpool Gazette, 13 June 2019
[edit]
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