Robert Kochiev

In this name that follows East Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Ivanovich and the family name is Kochiev.

Robert Ivanovich Kochiev (Russian: Роберт Иванович Кочиев; born March 16, 1966, Tskhinvali) is a Russian political figure and a deputy of the 6th and 8th State Dumas.^[1]

Robert Kochiev MP
Роберт Кочиев
Member of the State Duma (Party List Seat)
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 October 2021
In office 21 December 2011 – 5 October 2016
Personal details
Born	(1966-03-16) 16 March 1966 (age 59) Tskhinvali, South Ossetian AO, Georgian SSR, USSR
Political party	Communist Party of the Russian Federation
Alma mater	North Ossetian State Medical Institute

From 2007 to 2011, Kochiev was the deputy of the Parliament of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania of the 4th convocation. In 2011, he was elected deputy of the 6th State Duma from the North Ossetia–Alania constituency. From 2017 to 2021, he was the deputy of the Parliament of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania of the 6th convocation. Since September 2021, he has served as deputy of the 8th State Duma.^[1][2][3]

Allegations of Illegal Business Activities

In 2023, Russian law enforcement and judicial authorities launched proceedings related to the bankrupt alcohol plant “Rakurs” in Vladikavkaz, which had underpaid 1.4 billion rubles in taxes to the state budget.^[4] In media reports on the matter, Robert Kochiev is referred to as the shadow owner of the plant and a “vodka king” — despite the fact that, under the law, serving State Duma deputies are prohibited from engaging in such activities.^[5]

The courts of first and second instance of the North Caucasus District agreed with the arguments of the Federal Tax Service, the Deposit Insurance Agency, and the Prosecutor’s Office of Vladikavkaz, and held Kochiev subsidiarily liable for the obligations of LLC “Rakurs,” recognizing him as the main beneficiary and controlling person of the enterprise.^[6] A criminal case was opened on the grounds of deliberate bankruptcy of the company. The Arbitration Court of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania placed an arrest on Kochiev’s property and funds, with the total value exceeding 3.4 billion rubles.^[7]

The Arbitration Court is also considering a case involving an entire network of alcohol-related companies allegedly controlled by Kochiev and implicated in fraudulent schemes. “Special attention is being given to the investigation of criminal cases initiated based on materials from a prosecutor’s inspection into wage arrears (over two months) ... The progress of these investigations is under special control of the Prosecutor’s Office,” the media reported. A final court decision recognizing State Duma deputy Robert Kochiev as the controlling person of LLC “Rakurs” could result in multiple criminal cases being initiated against him.^[8][9]

Despite facing prosecution, while remaining in his position as a State Duma deputy, Kochiev opposed an anti-corruption bill regulating the vodka business that was introduced in parliament. To combat abuses, amendments to the law “On State Regulation of the Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcoholic and Alcohol-Containing Products” were proposed. Among other measures, the amendments introduce the concept of a “list of persons with an unsatisfactory business reputation” and increase the minimum authorized capital requirement for alcohol producers (from 10 million to 100 million rubles). Kochiev spoke against these measures in the State Duma, claiming they hinder business. The press notes that after his remarks, the State Duma’s administrative apparatus may initiate an inquiry into a potential conflict of interest.^[10]

Sanctions

He was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022 in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War.^[11]