Neverov gives two final statements in Chita gasification fraud trial

The court hearing on 26 January in Chita, which considered the case of failed gasification contractor Stanislav Neverov, did not promise anything interesting — standard arguments from both sides, then the defendant«s final statement. However, the former concessionaire, ex-general director of the Vostochno-Arkticheskaya Oil and Gas Corporation, stood out with a speech that almost doomed him and all participants to a retrial. What was in his speech, besides the readiness to get on his knees before every resident of Chita?

Neverov was already sentenced in May 2025 to 3.5 years in a penal colony for financial machinations with budget funds while executing concession agreements in the Zabaykalsky and Khabarovsk regions. In Chita, he was tried for fraud in the gasification of Chita — theft of another«s property by deceit using an official position as part of an organized group on an especially large scale. The case was considered in a special manner — the court passed a sentence without a full examination of the evidence, and the defendant fully admitted his guilt. This gave an advantage: in such a consideration, the term could not exceed two thirds of the maximum possible 20 years.

Prosecutor sought 7 years

In the arguments, the state prosecutor spoke first. Many legal phrases were uttered, which boiled down to the prosecution proposing to add another term for Neverov — so that in total he would spend 7 years in a general regime correctional colony. One half — for the first crime, the other — for the gasification of Chita. It«s clear that this interpretation is very conditional, in the language of the law it sounds like partial addition of sentences. How the terms are added is devilishly complicated, so the main thing is to grasp the essence.

For those who love the letter of the law, we provide a quote: «I consider it possible to impose a sentence of 4 years and 9 months in prison for each of the three episodes. By partially adding the sentences, finally impose a sentence of 6 years and 6 months in prison. In accordance with Part 5 of Article 69 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the sentence must be imposed for the totality of crimes by partially adding the sentence imposed by the verdict of the Central District Court of Khabarovsk, with the newly imposed sentence of 7 years in a general regime correctional colony.»

The prosecutor noted that with such a punishment, the admission of guilt, repentance, assistance to the investigation, partial compensation for damage, health condition — disability, and the nature and degree of public danger of the committed crime have already been taken into account.

Neverov — a pioneer with an inflated self-esteem

Stanislav Neverov did not participate in the arguments and gave the floor to his two lawyers. One of them asked to take into account that his client admitted guilt in all three episodes of fraud and repented.

At the same time, the defender noted that the gasification of Chita was a complex challenge that no one had taken on before him: «Talks have been going on for over 30 years. But things didn»t move beyond words: during perestroika, the crisis of the 2000s, sanctions, COVID, the problem was talked about, but there were no concrete steps. Only with the appearance of Neverov in Chita did the first steps appear, work on the project began: work with residents, design, construction.«

The speaker did not forget to mention the tight deadlines that his client signed up for due to his youth and inexperience: «Having signed the concession in 2022, the facility was to be handed over in 2024. Objectively, the deadlines were extremely fast. Perhaps, due to youth — he was 28 — the syndrome of an excellent student or an inflated self-esteem, Neverov thought he could achieve the almost impossible. When difficulties began, including financial ones, he decided that all means were fair, allowed the withdrawal of budget funds, that is, theft, and their spending on other tasks.»

Then the lawyer pointed out that he believes that if Neverov were an official, his actions would fall under the article on misuse of funds. But the fate of an entrepreneur leaves him only the article on fraud: «Neverov did not rush to build cottages and villas abroad, open accounts in his name, in fact, the money was directed to the implementation of the project in places where it was lacking.»

According to the defender, a disability from birth will not allow Stanislav to prove himself in the special military operation. Therefore, he asked to take this into account and impose a milder punishment with the possibility of a suspended sentence.

The second lawyer agreed with him.

Final statement No. 1

The first version of the final statement, which Neverov apparently spoke without notes, took more than 10 minutes. We publish it in a slightly abridged version without repeating the same points:

«To my great regret, what I expected to become a breakthrough project became a criminal case.

All my life, since childhood, when doctors said that I would not be able to study in a regular school, get a higher education, I got used to overcoming difficulties and proved to myself that I am capable of living a normal life. Much worked out. Since childhood, I could not look indifferently at the problems that exist around us. When ordinary children at 16–17 were walking with peers, preparing for the Unified State Exam, learning all the nuances of youth life, I was conducting charity marathons for children with disabilities.

All this experience of active activity instilled in me confidence and ambition that in this life everything is possible. It is possible to do breakthrough things, despite objective deadlines and realities. When I came to the Far East, including the Zabaykalsky region, I became upset that a territory with such potential was experiencing the problems that existed at that time. I began to think what to do to solve the problems.

I am grateful that my ideas were supported by the leadership of the Zabaykalsky region and the federal government. I was trusted to do several big things. Some of them worked out, some, unfortunately, did not.

I was 28 years old. Until then, everything that was said to be impossible — «You won»t study in a normal school, work« — everything worked out. I took on a task that was almost impossible to implement — to gasify Chita in 2 years. In all regions, this takes at least 5 years. The contract between the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services and »Energogazinzheniring« was even less — only 8 months.

I was sure that we would succeed in implementing it. Only for this reason, when the question arose whether to stop the work, switch to objective deadlines, or somewhere cross the line and do everything on time, I, unfortunately, chose the second option. It played a role that I understood that if we don«t do it, no one will. There was no thought then that we would not cope.

I understand that from the point of view of the law I became a criminal. In my soul, I continue to be a person who sincerely cares about the fate of the city, which is not native, but became so over the years that I worked there. Therefore, a few days after the wedding, I flew to Chita instead of a honeymoon to launch the first facility. Therefore, the number of my flights in a year alone was more than 70.

When the contracts were not fulfilled, I did not keep this money for myself, although I understood that there would be criminal cases, that the crime had already been committed. I started returning the money.

I ask forgiveness from all residents of Chita. I took on this matter, wanted to complete it to the end. There is an expression that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. That is what happened to me. If I wanted to cause harm, I would have bought real estate, put the money away. Except for what has been arrested, which is mainly shares in companies, I have nothing else. I didn«t buy anything for myself, I invested everything in the implementation of the project.

I am ready to get on my knees before every resident of Chita for the fact that we failed to provide gas at the time we promised. I hope the work will be done. I ask for a chance to correct the mistakes of my life related to overconfidence. To do this, if possible, not in prison, it is not a place for correction.

I am already convicted. The crimes for which I am being tried today grew out of the action for which I am already convicted. When almost all the funds were withdrawn by my partner, I had contracts signed. I had no choice, as I thought then, but to go down the path I went. There was no goal to earn for myself, to hide something. I went down the criminal path.«

As soon as Neverov finished his seemingly ordinary speech, the judge, in a well-trained voice, declared: «In connection with the information that the defendant indicated in his final statement, the court considers it necessary to resume the judicial investigation, since he indicated that he had no malicious intent to steal funds.»

Neverov immediately wanted to interrupt her: «Your...»

The judge continued assertively and a bit irritably: «...the court considers it necessary to resume the judicial investigation to clarify the indicated issues.»

Neverov also continued to press: «Your Honor, may I?»

Despite receiving a clear and peremptory «no», he continued: «I just made a mistake.»

The judge repeated: «The court considers it necessary to resume the judicial investigation. The judicial investigation, defendant, is resumed. Are there any evidence from the prosecution? To coordinate the position and resolve the indicated issue, a 10-minute break is announced.»

And immediately added: «Since the positions differ.»

After that, the secretary, the prosecutor, and I left the hall. Even behind the closed door, the excited and loud voices of the lawyers and Neverov were heard, amplified by the video broadcast. I assume that no one wanted to go through all the stages of investigation and trial again. Perhaps at this time, somewhere, an investigator sighed nervously.

Do you exactly understand the charges?

After the break, the judge began the session with a question: «Have the defense and the defendant coordinated their position?»

They confirmed.

«Does the prosecution have any evidence that must be presented in the indicated manner?» asked the judge.

The prosecutor said that he considered it necessary to interrogate Neverov. Probably in order for him to confirm that he understands the charges and still admits guilt.

Prosecutor: Do you understand that Article 159 Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is an intentional crime? It is fraud, theft of another«s property for one»s own benefit?

Neverov: Yes.

Prosecutor: You conducted your activities with Merzlyakov (who has already been convicted for fraud during gasification. — Ed.), Lankevich and Kunitsyn when concluding vehicle rental contracts. Did you act for your own purposes — for the purpose of stealing money?

Neverov (who stopped talking about good intentions): Yes.

Prosecutor: When you gave loans totaling 6 million rubles (approximately $60,000 at current rates), how did you do it? For yourself?

Neverov (after a short pause): For use at my discretion.

Prosecutor: When you concluded a contract for software development, did you do it for yourself?

Neverov: Again, for use at my discretion. I already told at the first court session that the program would help us improve work, it was beneficial for us.

Prosecutor: For yourself? For members of the organized group?

Neverov: Including.

Prosecutor: When you committed all the actions described in the indictment, did you intentionally organize a criminal group, did you have intent to steal funds?

Neverov (who 10 minutes ago was talking about thinking about the case): Yes, I already said at the first session and I confirm my testimony again — yes, I acted consciously and intentionally.

After that, the judge asked again to put a point: «Do you admit guilt in committing the three crimes incriminated to you under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation »Fraud for the purpose of stealing another«s property by deceit and abuse of trust, committed using an official position by an organized group on an especially large scale?»«

Neverov confirmed.

After that, the judge, as if nothing unusual had happened, announced that the court was moving to judicial arguments. She gave the floor to the state prosecutor.

To great joy, the prosecutor did not speak again and said that he maintained his position, which he had already voiced.

The floor passed to the lawyers. The defender again briefly listed the mitigating circumstances. The second defender added that they would not challenge the qualification either. He asked to impose the minimum possible punishment.

Final statement No. 2

The judge, following the protocol, gave the floor to the accused. In his second final statement, Stanislav Neverov was more brief: «I am guilty, I admit guilt. I fully repent of what I have done. I ask to forgive me for everything. I will continue to actively work to compensate for the damage. I ask for a chance to correct mistakes, and not to rot in prison for a very long time. I have wanted to go to the special military operation several times, but unfortunately, I am not taken there. Therefore, I ask to try to give me the opportunity to correct my mistakes.»

The judge retired to the deliberation room to announce the verdict in an hour.

Verdict

As a result, Neverov was sentenced to six and a half years of imprisonment in a general regime colony. This term already includes the three and a half years that were imposed in Khabarovsk. The court also satisfied the claim of the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services for compensation of 48,040,000 rubles (approximately $480,400 at current rates).

The participants of the session behaved with restraint, showing neither joy at avoiding a second round of investigation, nor sadness at the appointed term. In any case, the law gives the right to appeal.