Zyavdat Salikhov: "We must work as we did during the Great Patriotic War – everything for the front, everything for victory!"

      Zyabdat Salikhov – on working with Shaimiev, the digitization of courts, and the special military operation

      How the presidential security service appeared in Tatarstan

       – For decades, you held the most responsible positions in Tatarstan. What does the Kazan Kremlin mean to you? Can we say that this is your main professional love?

       – Undoubtedly. I have 45 years of work experience after graduating from the law faculty of Kazan University. By distribution, I ended up in Naberezhnye Chelny, where I worked for ten years in investigative bodies – from investigator to deputy head of the investigative department of the Komsomolsky ROVD. Then I was the deputy head of the Tukayevsky ROVD. In 1992, at the invitation of the first President of the Republic (now the State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan – note T-i), Mintimer Shaimiev, I moved to the Kazan Kremlin – I participated in the creation of the Security Service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan.

       – You are essentially one of its founders.

       – This is one of the main milestones in my life and a source of pride. Together with colleagues, under the leadership of the first President of the republic, Mintimer Shaimiev, we created the security service from scratch. It still exists today, albeit in a renewed format. Six generals and many heads of ministries and departments have emerged from it. They are all true patriots and respected individuals.

       – Creating a new structure from scratch is always difficult. What challenges did you face?

       – It was not easy. At that time, there was no regulatory framework. We studied the experience of other republics, wrote instructions literally by hand. Organizing personal security was especially challenging.

       – So you were also creating a legal framework?

       – We created the legal framework as a team. One person alone cannot win a battle. The main thing is that we formed a strong backbone for the service.

      21 years alongside Mintimer Shaimiev

       – You worked with Mintimer Shaimiev for exactly 21 years. He is known for his high demands and sense of responsibility. Was it difficult to work alongside such a person?

       – Of course, it is a great responsibility and constant tension. You always have to be in shape, ready to answer for everything that happens around you. Since 1998, I have been the head of the President's Security Service and his assistant. We traveled together across the country and abroad. Preparing materials, interacting with other special services – all of this fell on the shoulders of those who were nearby.

       – Another important milestone is the reconstruction of the Kazan Kremlin. You were directly involved in it.

       – Yes, from start to finish. The restoration of the Annunciation Cathedral, the construction of the Kul-Sharif Mosque, paving the area with cobblestones – all of this was done under the guidance of Mintimer Sharipovich before the millennium of Kazan. The idea to replace asphalt with cobblestones was mine. At first, Mintimer Sharipovich did not support it, but then I found understanding with the Prime Minister (now the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, note T-i) Rustam Minnikhanov. You can see the result for yourself. Under the cobblestones are utilities at human height, so they can be conveniently serviced.

       – The main task was to preserve the historical appearance and not interfere with tourists?

       – Exactly. But I always worked as part of a team. All ideas were born together with specialists.

      13 new court buildings and a course towards digitization

       – Since 2013, you have headed the Department of the Judicial Department in the Republic of Tatarstan. What key changes have occurred over these years?

       – We immediately set to work on digitization. Tatarstan was among the leaders, so it was easier for us. We united all the courts into a single information network, implemented electronic document management and a system of inter-agency electronic interaction with the tax service, traffic police, and other departments. This significantly accelerated processes for judges, their assistants, and citizens. We are now implementing the "Izum" system – it allows participants in processes to remotely participate in court sessions through State Services. Over the past 13 years, 13 new court buildings have been built in the republic. Six of them were supported by Rustam Minnikhanov. These are modern, comfortable buildings, especially for people with limited mobility. The court should be the face of the state – both in appearance and in the quality of work.

       – You started as an investigator in the 1980s – a very difficult time. Plus the early 90s. Does that experience help in your further life?

       – Of course. Moreover, I have been involved in sports since my youth. I was a sprinter – 100, 200, 400 meters, a winner and prize-winner of all-Union competitions, captain of the Tatarstan team. Sports have greatly helped me in life.

       – How do you maintain your shape now?

       – I try to. At my age, you can't do without movement – it's a sedentary job. Running, walking, fitness. It's essential.

      "Helping a person is natural for me"

       – From the first days of the special military operation, you have been actively helping the front as the curator of the Sarmanovsky district. How did you organize this work?

       – We immediately gathered businessmen, entrepreneurs, and residents of the district. In the first days, we sent a 20-ton refrigerated truck with bottled water. Then – food, uniforms, tools for building fortifications. We are still helping. We have excellent volunteers. Ramil Yunusov, call sign "Super," regularly goes to the front lines. We maintain contact with the fighters, know their needs. At every meeting in the judicial system, we say: families of special military operation participants and veterans should be treated with special understanding. We need to work as we did during the Great Patriotic War – all together, shoulder to shoulder. Everything for the front, everything for victory!

       – What is important for you to do for Tatarstan in the next five years?

       – Tatarstan is already among the leaders in most indicators. We need to continue to develop dynamically, but even more creatively. The main thing is to win the special military operation as soon as possible. Then we will move forward much more confidently.

       – Residents often turn to you with requests. What is the main request of society today?

       – Helping a person is natural for me. That's how my parents raised me. My father was a front-line soldier, my mother was a rear worker. They raised four children in very difficult conditions and always taught us to love people. Mintimer Shaimiev instilled the same values in us. People turn to us with all sorts of questions: health, education, employment. I try to help as much as I can.

      The strength of Tatarstan is in unity

       – What did you dream of becoming as a child?

       – I graduated from school with excellent grades and wanted to serve in the Airborne Forces – that was a real dream. But my older brothers advised me to enroll in the law faculty: there was a military department there. That's how my life turned out.

       – What do you love about your small homeland – the Sarmanovsky district?

       – This is my land. My parents instilled love for it. I left the village at 14, but I never lost touch. Now I happily supervise the district, help the head and residents. I really love our spring Auliya chishmese – my grandfather also improved it. We revived it. People always stop there: to drink clean water, to sit in a gazebo. Nearby is a beautiful birch grove where Sabantuy takes place.

       – What are the main principles your parents passed on to you?

       – Love people, love your homeland, be disciplined, and strive for excellence. My father was very strict about this. I pass these values on to my children: to know history, especially the history of the Great Patriotic War, to be proud of their country.

       – In your opinion, what is the strength of Tatarstan?

       – In unity and quality leadership. Mintimer Shaimiev laid a very strong foundation. Many of our programs were later adopted at the federal level. We strive to continue this tradition – to work honestly, with soul and love for our republic.

      Photo: rais.tatarstan.ru