Prosecutors in Munich have closed an investigation into suspected sanctions violations involving billionaire Alisher Usmanov, RBC reported, citing the businessman’s representatives.
According to his lawyers, the move was made under Section 153a of Germany’s Code of Criminal Procedure after Usmanov agreed to make a voluntary contribution to charitable causes.
“The reopening of the investigation on the same suspicions is ruled out; the presumption of innocence with regard to Alisher Usmanov remains,” the lawyers said.
Usmanov had previously been accused of paying for security services for properties in the municipality of Rottach-Egern via foreign companies between April and September 2022, as well as failing to declare assets in Germany. In 2024, the episodes were consolidated into a single case with preliminary-investigation status. Usmanov’s lawyers denied that the businessman had ties to those companies or the assets — and therefore disputed the applicability of EU sanctions provisions. The investigation was ultimately discontinued.
Earlier, Frankfurt’s General Prosecutor’s Office dropped a separate probe into Usmanov on suspicion of money laundering. It was closed without charges in November 2024.
In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and several other countries imposed personal sanctions on Usmanov.
