Ukraine's Security Service serves notice of suspicion on Russian oligarch Fridman for financing Russia
The Security Service of Ukraine has served Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman, who is involved in financing the war against Ukraine, with a notice of suspicion in absentia.
Source: press service of the Security Service of Ukraine
Quote: "Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, he has ‘injected’ about 2 billion roubles [roughly US$20.7 million – ed.] into several military plants of the aggressor country.
Among them are the Tula Cartridge Plant, which produces ammunition, and the Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant named after Yalamov, which produces high-tech equipment for Russian combat aircraft and helicopters."
Details: To finance the Kremlin's "projects", the oligarch uses the assets of the Alfa Group he controls.
He also used his own business resources for the mass distribution of dry rations, clothing and other products under the Russian Army trademark, which are supplied to the occupiers on the front line.
The Security Service of Ukraine added that Fridman also organised the collection of material and technical assistance for the needs of the Russian occupation groups fighting in Ukraine.
In addition, his insurance companies took over the insurance of military equipment, as well as the life and health of the Russian invaders.
Fridman has facilitated the cooperation of his own telecommunications company with the FSB, which allowed him to provide mobile communications controlled by the Russian secret service in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Based on the evidence gathered, Security Service of Ukraine investigators served Fridman with a notice of suspicion under Article 110-2.3 of the Criminal Code (financing actions committed with the aim of violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power, change of the boundaries of the territory or state border of Ukraine committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy).
The oligarch is currently hiding from justice abroad. He faces up to eight years in prison along with confiscation of property.
Previously: On 1 September, Ukrainska Pravda published an investigation into Russian oligarchs and other prominent Russian citizens in the UK. UP journalists managed to meet with Fridman himself.
The oligarch refused to answer the question of whether he considers Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a war criminal, citing his lawyers.
Background:
- On 5 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a decision of the National Security and Defence Council of 5 July to impose sanctions on 18 companies linked to Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman, German Khan and Petr Aven.
- In August 2022, Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven were sanctioned by the United States of America.
- Fridman and Aven left Russia after the full-scale war in Ukraine started. Nevertheless, they found themselves under EU and UK sanctions.
- They tried to get the sanctions lifted in Europe. And they succeeded in the UK, where the authorities issued at least 82 licences for "personal expenses" to sanctioned Russian oligarchs – up to US$1 million a year, which Russians spend on "basic needs" such as chauffeurs, cooks and maids.
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