FSB Now Controls All Key Government Institutions in Russia, Dossier Center Report Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, June 11 – On the basis of a year-long study using open sources and interviews with officials and experts, Moscow’s Dossier Research Center says in a 16,000-word report that the FSB controls all key government institutions in Russia, is used by the Kremlin to violate the constitution, and even offers its services for pay (fsb.dossier.center/).

            It provides detailed support for its nine key conclusions:

1.      “The influence of the FSB on the political and economic spheres exceeds its constitutional authority.”

2.      Vladimir Putin directs its operations both via the head of the FSB and through orders to Aleksandr Borotnikov’s nominal subordinates.

3.      “The president relies ever more heavily on information received from the FSB.”

4.      Other senior officials also play a role in directing the FSB’s activities.

5.      Over the last ten years, the FSB, primarily by making use of force has established control over almost all government institutions.

6.      “The methods used by the FSB often violate the constitutional rights of citizens and feature some of the worst practices from the times of the KGB.”

7.      “Representatives of the FSB systematically participate in corrupt activity and often organize and direct that which the special service is supposed to be fighting against.”

8.      Lower-ranking FSB officers follow the practice of their bosses and engage in personal corruption as well.

9.      “The FSB fulfills the functions of a repressive apparatus” used both against opponents of the regime and against various clans competing for power within the regime.

            The report provides one of the most comprehensive examinations of the organs to have appeared in Russia. Not surprisingly, it has already led some opposition figures to call for the reformation of the FSB (vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2020/06/11/832432-tsentr-hodorkovskogo-prizval-reforme).