Preparation and Defense for Interrogations in the FTS, Investigative Committee, and MVD
An interrogation in 2025–2026 is a procedure to solidify an already established scenario, not a mere 'conversation'. The inspector holds bank statements, VAT chains via ASK NDS-3, and testimonies of other witnesses. The objective is to obtain either confirmation or a contradiction. Attending an interrogation alone amidst tax risks is equivalent to testifying as a suspect without defense counsel.
Three Principles
Truth instead of promises
No claims of 'saving you from any question'. An interrogation is a procedure with a predetermined scenario. The goal of the defense is not to 'fend off', but to competently exercise procedural rights, prevent the consolidation of unfavorable testimony, and avoid self-incrimination.
Targeted use of Article 51 of the Constitution
A blanket refusal to answer all questions is qualified by the tax authority as an abuse of rights and leads to negative conclusions in the audit report. Article 51 is applied selectively — to specific questions that may personally incriminate, rather than indiscriminately.
Chain forecasting
Analysis of what the inspector already possesses in the case files (bank statements, testimonies of other witnesses, ASK NDS data). This dictates the tactics: where a fact is irrefutable, a truthful answer is provided; where the defense holds a procedural position, it is formulated with caution.
Attending an interrogation alone amidst tax risks in 2025–2026 is akin to attending an interrogation as a suspect without defense counsel. Technically, the law does not prohibit it. Practically, it places the witness in a vulnerable position.
Interrogation Tactics: 7 days before and the day after
An interrogation is not a point in time, but a process involving preparation and post-analysis. Each stage determines the outcome of the next.
Real-world situations
Phrasings are taken from inquiries in 2024–2026 — without disclosing client names.
- The CEO and founder are summoned for interrogation regarding a 2022 counterparty chain.
- The tax interrogation lasted 6 hours, psychological pressure was applied, and a protocol admitting to shell companies was signed. Is it possible to retract?
- Employees are being summoned en masse for interrogations. How to instruct them to avoid self-incrimination.
- The chief accountant resigned at the height of the audit. How to safeguard against testimony against the CEO.
- The investigator threatens to change the status from witness to suspect under Article 199 of the Russian Criminal Code.
- Interrogation regarding a third-party audit (a counterparty) — can the testimony be used against our company.
Specific actions
- Pre-interrogation situation analysis — determining the nature of the questions, forecasting the inspection scenario, and studying materials in open sources (ASK NDS, Kontur.Focus, SPARK).
- Preparation of a question map: which to answer factually, which to address using Article 51 of the Constitution (selectively, not entirely), and where to use 'I do not remember/know'.
- Personal presence of counsel at the interrogation — entering remarks into the protocol, controlling leading questions, and disciplining the inspector or investigator.
- Review of the protocol prior to signing — entering amendments into the 'Witness Remarks' section.
- Defense for ordinary company employees who are summoned en masse.
- Preparation of defense witnesses to provide factual testimony in our favor.
- Analysis of protocols from completed interrogations for procedural violations — grounds for declaring evidence inadmissible.
From RUB 50,000 per defense
The exact cost is determined following an initial document analysis.
What you need to know in the first 24 hours
A brief video explanation for those who currently have no time for long texts.
Comprehensive materials on the topic
These longreads illustrate the method of handling tasks of this type — featuring statistics, regulations, and real cases.
Most common inquiries
?Is it possible to refuse to sign the protocol if the interrogation was conducted under pressure?
?What to say if asked questions about a third-party counterparty?
?How much does defense during a single interrogation cost?
?Can a dismissed employee testify against a former employer?
?What to do if threatened during an interrogation with a change in status from witness to suspect?
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