This influential person who preferred not to be shown to the general public is known as the “gray cardinal” of the Northern capital. Now Roman Tsepov is for many a true legend of “gangster Petersburg”. His authority in the criminal and law enforcement agencies of this city was very high. Few people know that the real name of the entrepreneur was Beilenson.
Naturally, the news that Roman Tsepov was killed by ill-wishers was a real shock to many business representatives, but the circumstances of his death were overgrown with a lot of speculation and rumors. How did a person who worked as a simple mechanic at an enterprise manufacturing road metal structures and welding electrodes be able to turn into a high-ranking figure who solved the most important tasks on a large megalopolis scale? Let's consider this question in more detail.
Curriculum Vitae
Roman Tsepov is a native of the village of Kolpino, which is considered a suburb of the northern capital.
He was born on July 22, 1962. Back in school years, the future head of the Baltic-Export large security company showed interest in firing from weapons. And the military instructor taught him to get into the "top ten" from a pistol. Soon, Roman Tsepov, whose biography contains many dark spots, became the best shooter throughout the school.
Having received a certificate of maturity, the young man decided to enter the Leningrad State University. However, he was dissuaded: they say, with your surname, the chances of becoming a student at this university are almost zero. The young man had to go to work at the Izhora plant as a locksmith. Soon, however, Roman was tired of smelling engine oil and coming home almost every day grimy.
School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
He wants to enter the political school. 60th anniversary of the Komsomol Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR. Surprisingly, Roman Tsepov successfully passes the entrance exams, and he is enrolled in this educational institution. After some time, the young cadet is sent to serve in Valdai, then he goes to Kingisepp to serve.
In 1987, a disaster happened to a young man. Tsepov Roman Igorevich almost dies in an accident, he falls into a hospital bed. His mother takes care of him, and the young man manages to restore health in the district military hospital.
Change of priorities
Soon, the cadet of the Ministry of Internal Affairs decides to leave the school. A career in law enforcement does not appeal to him anymore.
At the beginning of the 90s, Roman Tsepov created the Baltic-Export structure, which is exclusively engaged in security activities. According to some sources, the idea to establish the above enterprise belonged to a certain Viktor Zolotov, who subsequently coordinated the activities of the private security company, as a member of the active reserve. This man was the bodyguard of the then mayor of the Northern capital Anatoly Sobchak. Zolotov provided all possible assistance to Roman Igorevich in the competent construction of commercial activities.
Business is booming
With the support of the St. Petersburg mayor and his assistants, Beilenson soon became a monopolist in the security services market.
Its employees provided protection for show business stars, big businessmen and officials who came to the Northern capital. Among the clients of Tsepov were influential people from the criminal environment, in particular, we are talking about Alexander Malyshev, who in the 90s was the leader of the largest criminal group. Roman Igorevich was also involved in escorting the cars of the Neva-Trans company, the owners of which were associated with the Tambov organized crime group.
Naturally, not everyone liked that at Beylenson things are going uphill. The entrepreneur had many enemies who made all kinds of attempts to put an end to his business. In the mid-90s, he was first shot, and then made an attempt to blow up.
Criminal factor
Roman Tsepov does not have an impeccable reputation, not only because he provided protection to criminal elements. Rumor had it that he was collecting tribute paid by large businessmen for obtaining licenses in the gambling business.
Beilenson was first detained in 1994 when he was charged with illegal possession of weapons. As already emphasized, success in Tsepov’s entrepreneurship aroused the usual envy of some: his life was repeatedly in danger.
In the spring of 1998, a case of extortion of a large sum of money was opened against Roman Igorevich, and he was forced to temporarily hide from justice in the Czech Republic.
Life is getting better…
When Vladimir Putin became the helm of power, Tsepov began to gain significant authority in the political and financial life of the Northern capital. Roman Igorevich, according to rumors, had very close contact with the then head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rashid Nurgaliev, the head of the president’s security service, Viktor Zolotov, and the assistant to the head of the presidential administration, Igor Sechin.
Beilenson himself said that he, as the "knowledgeable people say", had a huge number of important responsibilities: organizing elections, monitoring criminal investigations, developing the fuel business, changing personnel, ensuring security, and so on.
It is noteworthy that, shortly before his death, the owner of Baltic-Export, according to a presidential decree, was awarded the rank of major general of the police, which even his relatives did not know about. However, this information was kept in the strictest confidence.
Personal life
Tsepov Roman Igorevich, whose family consisted of a wife and two children, had a reliable rear. Sources say that after the death of the “gray cardinal”, one of his daughters formalized marriage with a citizen of Sudan and was forcibly taken away by her newly-made spouse to his homeland.
