UPDATE - Germany targets Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov

UPDATES WITH USMANOV'S REMARKS

By Anadolu Agency staff

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

One of the locations searched by the police was a villa in 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 violations, according to the Der Spiegel weekly.

Usmanov allegedly used his extensive and complex network of companies and corporations for such activities. According to the latest findings, the transactions were believed to have amounted to multi-digit millions of euros.

Touching on the allegations of the investigative actions in Germany, Usmanov’s press office said that "all of Usmanov's income, expenses, property and taxes over the past 20 years have been regularly audited by international Big Four auditing firms, a fact which is confirmed in their reports.”

Criticizing Germany's move, motivated by "a desire to put pressure on an internationally recognized philanthropist, who is only guilty for having assets in Russia," it said that "any allegations of tax evasion by Mr. Usmanov are unfounded, false, and damaging to his honor, dignity, and reputation, which Mr. Usmanov will defend by all disposable legal means."

The European Union placed 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 ($14.3 billion).