RBC learned about the searches of the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Zenden shoe chain

According to the publication’s interlocutors, agents of the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia are conducting searches in the White Pillars microdistrict of the city of Domodedovo, as well as at the headquarters of the Zenden Group on the street. Shchukinskaya, 2.

The RBC source stated that the Main Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Moscow opened a criminal case under Part 2. Art. 171.1 of the Penal Code: this article refers to the acquisition, production or storage of goods without proper labeling and carries a penalty of up to 6 years in prison.

According to RBC, in connection with Zenden, an analysis of the footwear market revealed facts about the use of counterfeit labels and resale of products.

Companies can use the sale of shoes without labels and outside of government systems to hide income from the sale of goods, the publication’s source explained.

In 2021, security forces already went to Zenden stores in Moscow with searches in connection with a tax evasion case, which was initiated after an audit of the company by the Federal Tax Service. According to the department, the company divided its business among many individual entrepreneurs, which is why it paid no more than 500 million rubles to the budget.