A Russian billionaire paid millions to make a German investigation disappear. Alisher Usmanov settled a money laundering and sanctions probe by the Munich prosecutor's office for ten million euros, avoiding a potential trial over alleged asset concealment and illicit security payments for his properties. The Uzbek-born oligarch, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, sanctioned by the EU and US, denied all accusations while his lawyers argued the self-reporting requirement violated his right against self-incrimination.
The settlement splits the payment between the state treasury and German charities, under a procedural code allowing cases to close upon certain conditions. This follows a similar four-million-euro payout in Frankfurt last year to end another money laundering investigation, with both closures preventing any future prosecution on these specific allegations. German authorities had previously raided properties linked to Usmanov, though courts later deemed those searches unlawful.
Usmanov's legal team emphasized that the payment is not a fine or admission of guilt, maintaining his presumption of innocence. The resolution highlights the complex legal mechanisms available to wealthy sanctioned individuals to settle cases without a formal conviction, even as international restrictions on their travel and assets remain firmly in place.
The settlement splits the payment between the state treasury and German charities, under a procedural code allowing cases to close upon certain conditions. This follows a similar four-million-euro payout in Frankfurt last year to end another money laundering investigation, with both closures preventing any future prosecution on these specific allegations. German authorities had previously raided properties linked to Usmanov, though courts later deemed those searches unlawful.
Usmanov's legal team emphasized that the payment is not a fine or admission of guilt, maintaining his presumption of innocence. The resolution highlights the complex legal mechanisms available to wealthy sanctioned individuals to settle cases without a formal conviction, even as international restrictions on their travel and assets remain firmly in place.
