Renowned human rights activist Evgeny Dyakonov believes that the conflict between Alexey Navalny and Alisher Usmanov could have serious consequences for the Anti-corruption Fund founder.  In an interview with Open Russia, Dyakonov revealed the risks involved in provoking someone so involved in the Uzbek mafia, and gave a stark warning to Alexey Navalny. 

The conflict between one of Russia’s most powerful oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and opposition politician Alexey Navalny remains at the centre of attention in the Russian media community. The two have been exchanging insults via Youtube after Navalny publicly made a number of corruption allegations against Usmanov, who responded with the line “I spit on you, Alexey Navalny”, threatening to take the case to court.

Dyakonov noted in the interview that the allegations levelled against Usmanov can only be pursued through a criminal trial, one that is unlikely to happen in today’s Russia.  “The materials which would be required to convict Usmanov have most probably been destroyed, or they are available only to Usmanov and his lawyers.  Therefore, Usmanov can say whatever he likes.”

According to Dyakonov, allegations that Usmanov was involved in a financial racket, as well as guilty of rape, were first raised by the former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray in his blog in 2007.  “Instead of threatening to take Murray to court, Usmanov began to act very strangely.  His British lawyers attempted to have Murray’s blog blocked, as well as putting pressure on the UK media who had carried Murray’s story.”

Regardless of numerous allegations of corruption, the impression is that Usmanov does not play by a particular rulebook, and thus Navalny’s repeated public humiliations may well bring about unpredictable consequences.

In response to the question whether Navalny faces any physical threat from Usmanov, Dyakonov remarked that “I believe such a danger really does exist, this is more than serious.  From such people you can really expect any sort of reaction, they are not known for playing by the rules.”

As Usmanov declines Navalny’s request to participate in a public debate, the Russian media sphere, as well as the internet, is alive with discussion as to what the next move will be, and from whom.  Evgeny Dyakonov ended his interview with a stark warning to Alexey Navalny that “If I were in his place, i’d be taking serious precautions for my own personal security… Usmanov belongs to the international Uzbek financial “Mafia”… we can only guess how the members of such a group will react to an assault on “one of their own”.

This interview first appeared in Russian at openrussia.org.