Russian billionaire Kerimov detained by French police in tax fraud case

Suleiman Kerimov was arrested in Nice airport on Monday evening and put into custody for questioning, according to a French prosecutor

(FILES) This file photo taken on January 17, 2012 shows shows Russian powerful oil and metals magnate, billionaire Suleiman Kerimov watching a friendly football match Russia's Anzhi Makhachkala against Iraq at Al Nasr Stadium in Dubai. 
The billionaire and Russian senator Suleiman Kerimov was arrested on the evening of November 21, 2017 and placed in custody in Nice, south-east France, where he is questioned in connection with  a case of tax evasion, according to a judicial source. / AFP PHOTO / NEWSTEAM / SERGEI RASULOV JR.
Powered by automated translation

French police have detained a Russian lawmaker and businessman as part of a probe into suspected laundering of tax fraud proceeds, according to media reports.

Suleiman Kerimov, who is a member of Russia’s upper House of Parliament, was arrested in Nice airport on Monday evening and put into custody for questioning in connection with a tax evasion case, Nice prosecutor Jean-Michel Pretre told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Kerimov is ranked by Forbes magazine as Russia's 21st wealthiest businessman, with a net worth of $6.3 billion. His family controls Russia's largest gold producer Polyus.

He shot to fame in the soccer world in 2011 when he bought Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala and went on a spectacular spending spree.

However, Kerimov abruptly slashed his financing for the team in August 2013 with little explanation. He sold Anzhi last year.

_______________

Read more:

_______________

A source cited by Reuters said the investigation centres on the purchase of several luxury residences on the French Riviera via shell companies, something that would have enabled Kerimov to reduce taxes owed to the French state.

The source added Kerimov would be held in custody for at least another 24 hours.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday night it has notified France that Kerimov has diplomatic immunity.

However, a French official cited by Reuters said: "Kerimov does have a diplomatic passport, but that does not protect him from prosecution."

A spokesman for Kerimov, cited by the Financial Times, said that no criminal charges had been filed and that the oligarch was confident he would be cleared.