This Russian oligarch is under sanction from the European Union due to the war in Ukraine. He is considered close to Vladimir Putin and “one of the most influential people in Russia” by the EU.
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Russian oligarch Alexei Kuzmitchev, arrested Monday October 30 in France and placed in police custody in an investigation notably for laundering tax fraud and violations of international sanctions, was indicted this Wednesday evening, franceinfo learned from the National Prosecutor’s Office financial. Alexei Kuzmitchev was indicted on charges of “laundering aggravated tax fraud”, “presumption of money laundering” and “execution of hidden work by an organized gang”.
If the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office had requested placement in pre-trial detention, the oligarch was finally placed under judicial supervision with, in particular, an obligation to pay a bond in the amount of 8 million euros and a ban on leaving the national territory.
Under sanction due to the war in Ukraine, Alexeï Kuzmitchev, 61, was considered in March 2022 by the European Union as “one of the most influential people in Russia”with some “well-established links” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
One of the 400 richest men in the world
According to a source close to the matter, suspicions of money laundering concern several tens of millions of euros. The home of Alexeï Kuzmitchev – located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris – as well as a second home in Saint-Tropez, were searched on Monday by investigators from the central office for the fight against financial and tax offenses (OCLCIFF) , assisted by police officers from the Raid and the BRI.
Alexei Kuzmitchev is one of the founders of the “Alfa group” consortium. His fortune is estimated by Forbes magazine at more than 6 billion euros, making him one of the 400 richest men in the world. In 2022, two of his yachts were immobilized by customs on the Côte d’Azur, before the Russian businessman obtained the annulment of this measure by the courts.
According to a source close to the matter, contacted by franceinfo, Alexei Kuzmitchev has initiated proceedings with the EU to have his inclusion on the sanctions list canceled. The decision is due on November 15. The investigation targeting him is one of three investigations opened by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office targeting Russian oligarchs.