“– Life is full of surprises! – Ippolit continued with enthusiasm. – And that’s wonderful! Can there be expected, planned, programmed happiness? We live a boring life! We lack adventurism! We have forgotten how to climb into the windows of our beloved women. We have forgotten how to do big, good stupid things! – Here he winced. – What a disgusting thing this jellied fish of yours is…’
– Emil Braginsky, Eldar Ryazanov The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath…
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Wishing you all a New Year filled with peace and genuine happiness. May the bird in the photo symbolize your personal winter firebird, bringing all your dreams to life!
2023 was a year of profound pain. Witnessing the loss of many brothers and sisters in my native land, followed by the devastating 7th October massacre and its aftermath, left an indelible scar, and it is ongoing until the peace will be re-established. Grappling with such immense suffering alongside our ongoing legal fight, with its unexpected challenges and further appeals (which I’ll detail in a separate message), proved incredibly difficult.
Yet, in this darkness, your unwavering support shone like a beacon of hope. Your countless words of encouragement, messages that nourish our souls and uplift our spirits, are our daily bread. Your acts of courage and generosity, from the home appraisals to the trading capital that open door to our return to our profession, trading – a path requiring focus and relentless drive, to the cozy haven we call home, the mysteriously vanishing bills, and the delicious weekend meals – even this new laptop I hold – are miracles not only of material comfort. Special thanks to the masters of unbelievable scholarships for our Bahamian-born baby Mattvei, the prodigious soccer player and team captain, whose accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without your priceless support. Our unwavering expert witnesses, stoically awaiting the trial stolen by UBS for four years, deserve special mention. You are more than supporters; you are angels, always in our prayers.
And then there’s Teo, our son, the mastermind behind this very website. 2023 was a momentous year for him too, graduating cum laude in economics from the University of Bologna and now thriving in his first job. While dreams of his Master’s and PhD dance in our hearts, the financial burdens of our legal battle keep them on hold, as well as the education of our other sons, compromised for “only” a decade.
Despite the hardships, the conviction that our fight contributes to a larger wave of positive change, empowering the rise of retail traders and holding corrupt actors, specifically large banks and brokers, accountable, paves the way for a better life for all. This belief fuels our strength and determination. We aren’t heroes, simply individuals faced with no choice but to fight for what’s right.
As the quote above reminds us, true happiness lies in embracing courage and adventure, savoring life’s beauty, extending a helping hand, and refusing to compromise with any form of evil. May the New Year bring you all strength, light, happiness, and love.
With blessings,
Irina and Family
Securities Fraud Bahamas: banks UBS, Credit Suisse 