International sanctions against Russia: the Kremlin is ready to help a businessman arrested in France

The Kremlin said it was ready to “defend” its rights. Russian businessman Alexey Kuzmichev was arrested on Monday in Saint-Tropez (Var) and placed in police custody on charges of tax laundering and violation of international sanctions.

“We must be informed about the detention of a citizen of the Russian Federation through our diplomatic mission,” Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. “After receiving the information and if the detainee wishes, we will, of course, help protect his rights as a citizen of Russia,” he continued, clarifying that he “doesn’t know well” the situation of this person. “business.”

Alexey Kuzmichev is considered “a major shareholder of the Alfa Group conglomerate, which includes Alfa Bank, one of Russia’s largest taxpayers,” according to the European Union (EU), which added him to its list of sanctioned persons on March 15, 2022. after the attack on Ukraine. The EU highlights its “well-established ties with the Russian President” in a document detailing the list of people targeted by sanctions. “Vladimir Putin’s eldest daughter Maria led the Alfa-Endo charity project, which was financed by Alfa Bank,” the document says.

Searches in Vars and Paris

Alexey Kuzmichev saw his two yachts, La Petite Ourse and La Petite Ourse II, frozen in March 2022 as part of sanctions adopted by the EU. The two ships, 24 meters and 16.5 meters long, moored at the time in Antibes and Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), have a value of four and 1.2 million euros, a source close to the matter then said. In October and December 2022, it achieved the abolition of customs procedures, but this decision did not affect the measure to freeze its ships.

He was arrested on Monday and searches were carried out in “several places”, notably in Vars and at the Paris home of the person concerned, a judicial source confirmed to Le Monde newspaper. He was placed in police custody pending a preliminary investigation by the Anti-Corruption Authority (Oclciff).

According to a source close to the matter, Alexey Kuzmichev has initiated proceedings with the EU to cancel his inclusion in the sanctions list. The decision is due on November 15.