American and other pressures on Ivan Savidis

Controversy was caused when the Greek-Russian businessman Ivan Savidis started claiming a stake in the port of Thessaloniki because of the opaque nature of his actions and transactions and of his obscure relationship and dependency from the Russian oligarchic governing system. Back then his relation with SEKAP was hanging in balance and there were many rumors about him regarding the sale and trade of cigarettes.

Mystery

His entire activity reminded of practices that had nothing to do with the principles and rules governing the advanced companies of the modern world. A lot of cash, chains of companies and intermediaries, deficit balance sheets and generally opacity covered most of his actions. And of course, Savidis' enrichment is shrouded in mystery, as is the case with all Russian oligarchs. How could he become overnight from caretaker of a tobacco factory to owner of one of the biggest tobacco companies in Russia…

Σοκόλοφ: Ο ιστορικός ομολόγησε ότι σκότωσε και διαμέλισε την φοιτήτρια του

At that moment, when it was obvious that he wanted influence and that he was totally connected to Russia, there were many reactions and even more reservations expressed regarding the possibility that Ivan Savidis would become the owner of the strategic port of Macedonia.

Dangers

Since back then the Americans had pointed out the dangers that came with a covert Russian establishment in Northern Greece, especially when panslavic visions and ideals were being revived in Putin's country and it was obvious that Russians wanted influence in the wider region.

However, nothing prevented Ivan Savidis from having many controversial activities. At first he became affiliated with nationalistic circles and then he identified with Tsipras' government,...