Court detains Zaur Shipilov as alleged thief in law

On January 29, the Leninsky District Court of Orenburg not only kept in custody the Makarov brothers but also once again sided with the prosecution and did not release from pre-trial detention 40-year-old Zaur Shipilov, better known as Zaur Nakhichevansky. His preventive measure was set to expire on February 3.

The criminal authority (although he himself does not admit guilt in occupying a high position in the criminal hierarchy— Article 210.1 of the Criminal Code) will remain in custody at least until March 15— however, the court«s ruling has not yet taken legal effect and can be appealed in the Orenburg Regional Court. Nakhichevansky has been behind bars since July 4, 2025.

According to the investigation, since at least 2013 he controlled criminal activity in the region, participated in illegal gatherings, sought ways to earn money, and upheld criminal traditions. Unofficially, he closely «cooperated» with Azerbaijanis and enjoyed unquestionable authority in his circles of influence. During his arrest, ammunition, a holster, and playing cards with criminal symbols were seized from him.

As reported by 56.RU, during the hearing on July 4, 2025, it became known that Shipilov previously served 3 years on drug charges and his conviction was not expunged (footage of his arrest in Moscow in 2015, where he refused to answer questions, is in our possession), he is under administrative arrest for violating supervision. He is originally from Orenburg, permanently resides here, completed 6 grades of school and has no other education, is married, has three children, is the sole breadwinner for the family, and officially works as a conveyor belt operator at a construction company.

His wife noted at the time that he is a good father, regularly spends time with the children, earns 35,000–40,000 rubles per month (approximately $389–$444 at current rates), but if he is placed under house arrest, she will be able to support both him and the children— «relatives and the vegetable garden will help.» Meanwhile, Nakhichevansky himself told the judge that he violated administrative supervision because… he was delayed at work to «earn money for the family.»

His wife also said that she knows her husband«s close circle of friends, but she has no idea where he got photos with people who have already been convicted on various charges, including the same one he is accused of. In decade-old photos, Zaur Nakhichevansky is pictured with Lavasogly Batumsky, Rovshan Lenkoransky, Khadji Beylagansky, and other notable figures from the criminal world.

Recall that in 2020, Shipilov asked Roskomnadzor (the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media) to remove from websites these photos with authorities and even operational footage of his first arrest, which are still publicly available on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website.

The prosecution was confident that he could influence the course of the investigation and pressure witnesses, and that he has close ties in neighboring countries, and he could flee to Azerbaijan. And he was allegedly «crowned» in Turkey.

The detainee himself countered that he merely has many relatives in these countries, and after being released from prison in 2018, he never traveled abroad. All his relatives on his father«s side are in Azerbaijan. Note that according to his passport, Shipilov»s patronymic is Bairamovich, and a few years ago, information appeared in the media that he is the son of authority Bairam Talybov, who was shot in Moscow in 2006 along with «thief in law» Hikmet Mukhtarov.

Also on July 4, 2025, in court, Zaur Nakhichevansky did not admit that he is a «thief in law,» said he was «hearing it for the first time» about his status, and «doesn»t understand what it«s about.» The authority faces up to 15 years in prison. Investigators are identifying Shipilov«s accomplices and figuring out what other crimes he may be involved in.

Meanwhile, Rashid Khachatryan (Rashid Jambulsky, Rashid Orenburgsky) has already been convicted by the Orenburg Regional Court under the «thief» article. Sergey Korchagin is yet to face this: the prosecutor is seeking 25 years in prison for him.