The prosecutor’s office in Frankfurt am Main suspected 58-year-old Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich of circumventing sanctions. The office initiated an investigation and arrested four luxury cars that may belong to the businessman. We are talking about Mercedes, Lamborghini and two Bugatti with a total value of several million euros. They are currently stored in a specialized company for the sale of vintage and sports cars in Oberzulm (Baden-Württemberg). After the arrest, they can no longer be sold, leased or mortgaged, Der Spiegel writes.
In addition, investigators from the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Central Office for Sanctions Enforcement searched several times country villa Leitenschlössl in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Bavaria), the ultimate owner of which is also allegedly Abramovich. Several works of art were seized as evidence. The villa, built in the late 19th century for a wealthy Munich chemist, previously belonged to Tatiana Dyachenko, daughter of Russia’s first president Boris Yeltsin. In 2005, the burgomaster of Garmisch-Partenkirchen said that Abramovich had bought the property “through one of his companies.” Local residents have seen the businessman there more than once. Now the German land registry lists Parados Limited, a company registered in Liechtenstein, as the owner of the property.
The billionaire is suspected of violating foreign trade law and asset declaration obligations to the German Bundesbank and the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control. If convicted, Abramovich faces up to a year in prison or a fine. The businessman’s lawyer said his client had nothing to do with the villa or luxury cars.
