The German Federal Criminal Police Office is conducting searches at three villas of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov in the Bavarian commune of Rottach-Egern. This is reported by the publication Der Spiegel.
Usmanov is suspected of tax evasion, money laundering and violating German laws on foreign trade and payments. According to Der Spiegel, he may have evaded €555 million in taxes on income and gifts during 2014-2022. The German authorities justify their claims by the fact that Usmanov owns real estate on their territory and, as a result, had to pay taxes.
Usmanov is one of the richest people in Russia, last year he also entered the top 250 richest people in the UK. His fortune is estimated at £14 billion. The businessman has long been considered a figure close to Vladimir Putin.
After the start of the Russian war against Ukraine, the US and the UK imposed sanctions against Usmanov. His property, including the superyacht and the plane, were arrested. The British Foreign Office also banned Usmanov from entering and froze his assets.