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Germany to Drop Usmanov Sanctions Probe After €10 Million Payment

Munich prosecutors cite a statute permitting closure upon payment.

Russian businessman and founder of USM Holdings Alisher Usmanov attends a session during the Week of Russian Business, organized by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), in Moscow, Russia March 16, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

Overview

  • The Munich prosecutor's office said the investigation will be discontinued upon receipt of the €10 million payment.
  • Usmanov's lawyers said the sum is not a fine and will be split between the federal budget and German charities, while prosecutors framed the payment as authorized under criminal law.
  • The probe examined alleged transfers of about €1.5 million through foreign-based companies to manage security at two Rottach-Egern properties between April and September 2022, plus alleged failures to declare valuables to BAFA.
  • Usmanov's defense denied wrongdoing, disputing links to the companies and control of the properties and questioning the direct applicability of EU sanctions law.
  • Usmanov remains under EU and U.S. sanctions, and German authorities dropped a separate money-laundering case in November 2024 on similar terms.