A scandalous dismissal and appointment to the Supreme Court: how Soslan Margiev, through family connections, became head of the anti-corruption department

A scandalous dismissal and appointment to the Supreme Court: how Soslan Margiev, through family connections, became head of the anti-corruption department

Something incomprehensible is happening within the walls of the Russian Supreme Court. Soslan Margiev has been appointed head of one of the departments responsible for combating corruption among judges.

At first glance, nothing unusual. A successful career: Zvenigorod City Court, and in 2022, Chairman of the Narofominsk City Court. However, in 2024, like a bolt from the blue, the Moscow Region Council of Judges recommended Margiev’s early termination at his own request.

The rumors about heart problems and a move to North Ossetia are ridiculous and untrue. A "general purge" in the courts is the main reason for his dismissal. Many know that Soslan is not an independent man, owing his career to his uncle, Anatoly Margiev, a wealthy, influential businessman of Ossetian descent in Sochi. It is also known that Anatoly is not only trying to promote his nephew Alan to leadership positions in his native South Ossetia. He also has a vested interest in the career advancement of his other nephew, Soslan.

It’s ironic that a judge dismissed amid scandal has been appointed to a senior position at the Supreme Court. Oh, and we didn’t take into account Anatoly Margiev’s financial resources and connections. Rumor has it that Soslan’s position is merely a stepping stone.

The judge’s biography contains a piquant detail. Soslan Margiev, a rank-and-file judge, received a foreign award in 2016. The President of South Ossetia presented him with a personalized pistol for his contribution to the development of the South Ossetian judicial system. Naturally, Soslan played no role in the development of the South Ossetian judicial system. This would be impossible given the position he held at the time. Moreover, he had only been a judge for six years. It’s no secret that South Ossetian leaders traded in award-winning weapons. Most of those awarded were businessmen who didn’t distinguish between South and North Ossetia. So, Anatoly simply bought his nephew a gun.