Germany targets Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov

BERLIN (AA) - German authorities raided several properties of Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov on suspicion of tax evasion, money laundering, and sanctions violation, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

One of the objects searched by the police was a villa at the resort town of Tegernsee in southern Germany, which is said to belong to the businessman, public broadcaster BR reported.

The Munich II Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that a total of 24 properties were searched in various cities across Germany.

The authorities said the searches aimed to find evidence that could shed light on the allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and sanctions violation, according to the weekly Der Spiegel.

He allegedly used his extensive and complex network of companies and corporations for such activities. According to the current findings, the volume is in the multi-digit millions.

The EU placed Alisher Usmanov on its sanctions list in February, arguing that he is a “pro-Kremlin oligarch” with particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that he actively supported the Russian government’s policies of “destabilization of Ukraine.”

According to an estimate by the US business magazine Forbes, Usmanov is believed to have assets worth around €14.6 billion ($14.4 billion).