Kehman Vladimir Abramovich

Kehman Vladimir Abramovich

Biography

Kekhman, Vladimir Abramovich (b. February 9, 1968 in Kuibyshev) - Russian businessman, chairman of the board of directors of JFC, since May 2007, general director of the Mikhailovsky Theater.

Education

In 1989 he graduated from the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​ ​ of Samara State Pedagogical University. In 2009 he graduated from the production department of the St. Petersburg State Academy of Theater Arts.

Career

Since the early 1990s, Vladimir Kekhman has been the head of the largest importer of fruits to Russia: first ALBI-Jazz, then JFC.

In 1994, Vladimir Abramovich supported the creation of the JFC Jazz Club, in the same year, with the participation of Kehman, a concert by Jose Carreras was organized at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. A television screen was installed on Mikhailovskaya Street, and hundreds of Petersburgers were able to see a live performance of a famous tenor for free.

Kehman sponsored the restoration of churches in St. Petersburg and Hamburg, was awarded several orders of the Russian Orthodox Church.

2025: Criminal case on receiving a bribe of ₽27 million and dismissal from the Moscow Art Theater named after Gorky

Investigative Committee Russia opened a criminal case against Director General MOSCOW ART THEATRE Vladimir Kekhman under Part Six of Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for receiving a bribe on an especially large scale in the amount of ₽27 million. At the same time, a mirror criminal case was initiated under Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation against the general director of the contractor of the RSK-Renaissance theater Marat Karginov for giving a bribe. This was announced by the Investigative Committee at the end of July 2025.

According to Fontanka, the new criminal cases are based on the episode of 2022, when, by agreement with Kekhman, Karginov paid ₽27 million for a Mercedes V-class car at the Avtodom Pulkovo car dealership. The vehicle was registered with one of Karginov's companies, but was actually used by Kekhman.

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Фото: Alexey Smagin/Kommersant

According to investigators, the car became part of informal settlements between Karginov and Kekhman for receiving construction contracts at the facilities of the Ministry of Culture of Russia. The company "RSK-Renaissance" performs restoration work at the facilities of the department.

Kehman has been bankrupt since 2015, his bank debts amount to ₽18 billion according to the case file. This status explains the scheme with the registration of an expensive car for an outside legal entity.

On July 9, 2025, law enforcement agencies searched the offices of Karginov construction companies performing work on the reconstruction of the theater stage on Tverskoy Boulevard. Investigative actions were also carried out in a country cottage in the suburbs, decorated on Kekhman's mother-in-law.

On July 22, 2025, investigators visited the Avtodom Pulkovo car dealership, where they seized documentation of two Mercedes cars sold. One of them was acquired by Karginov, the second G-class was issued for a third party, but was also at the disposal of Kekhman.

On July 29, 2025, Vladimir Kekhman and Marat Karginov were summoned for interrogation to the Investigative Committee. Karginov had by then returned to Russia after being abroad. Kehman was charged with taking a bribe on an especially large scale.

After interrogation, both defendants were released without using preventive measures. Kehman was released even without a recognizance not to leave, which is a rare case of such accusations in Russian investigative practice.^[1]

Vladimir Kekhman was dismissed from the post of General Director of the Moscow Art Theater. Gorky from September 29, 2025.

Awards

• Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow III degree
• Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh III degree
• Order of St. St. Seraphim of Sarov III degree
• 2010 - Award "Fame" newspaper "Izvestia"
• 2011 - GQ Magazine GQ Man of the Year 2011 Award for Producer of the Year

Notes