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Ahat BraginDonetsk businessman, president of the football club "Shakhtar"
Date of Birth: 26.02.1953
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Alik Grek: A Notorious Businessman Connected to Shakhter FC
- Early Life and Career
- Entrepreneurial Pursuits
- Connection to Donbas Mafia
- Assassination Attempts
- Alleged Mafia Involvement
- Murder and Legacy
- Business Interests
Alik Grek: A Notorious Businessman Connected to Shakhter FC
Alik Grek, born Akat Khafizovich Bragin, was an influential businessman and the president of the prominent football club Shakhtar Donetsk until October 15, 1995. He played a pivotal role in establishing Ukraine's largest financial and industrial group, which later became a cornerstone of Rinat Akhmetov's business empire.
Early Life and Career
Bragin was born into a Tatar family in the outskirts of Stalino (now Donetsk). Growing up, he pursued boxing and football, earning the nickname Alik Grek. His early career path led him to become a butcher at a market near the Oktyabrskaya mine.
Entrepreneurial Pursuits
During the Perestroika period, Bragin ventured into entrepreneurship. He assembled a group of associates, including Ryabin, Morozov, and Bogdanov, and engaged in foreign exchange and gambling operations.
Connection to Donbas Mafia
Bragin's rise to prominence was closely intertwined with the Donbas mafia. With the assistance of crime boss Shamil Ivankov, he became the director of Donetsk's Store No. 41, which was part of Ivankov's Ukrtextiltorh trading base. Bragin and Akhmetov reportedly controlled the Russian vodka business of Yevhen Shcherban.
Assassination Attempts
In 1994, Bragin faced two unsuccessful assassination attempts. The first involved a shooting at his home, while the second was a highly sophisticated and unprecedented attack using five grenade launchers.
Alleged Mafia Involvement
In a 1994 interview, Donetsk Police Chief Arkady Boldovsky alleged that Bragin was the leader of one of several mafia clans operating in the city. Bragin vehemently denied these accusations.
Murder and Legacy
On October 15, 1995, during a football match at Shakhtar Stadium, Bragin was killed by a powerful radio-controlled explosion. Police Major Vyacheslav Sinenko was convicted of the murder but later acquitted.
Bragin's death left a significant void in the Donbas business world. Sergei Bubka established the Monblan company under his guidance, and his son Ravil became a successful entrepreneur. His daughter Dilara died in 2009.
Business Interests
Bragin owned several businesses, including:- ARZ (co-founded with Lemtrans)
- Lyuks (co-founded and served as CEO)
- Ukrtextiltorh
- Industrial Union of Donbas (ISD) (one of five founders)
- Gefest (with Yevhen Shcherban and Rinat Akhmetov)
- Lyuks (later acquired by Rinat Akhmetov)
- System Capital Management (SCM)
