Luxury villa in Tegernsee linked to billionaire Usmanov: Leaked financial documents shed light on his wealth portfolio
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, a prominent figure in the Russian business scene, has been embroiled in a contentious tax evasion investigation in Germany. His inclusion on the EU's list of Vladimir Putin-favored oligarchs means part of his fortune is frozen under EU regulations.
The bastion of business secrets, "Bild", has unveiled the staggering financial records of Usmanov, revealing that his gross income over the years 2004-2020 amounts to approximately 7 billion euros (383.837.390.213.00 rubles). However, it's worth noting that Usmanov's tax bill in Russia was a mere 6.4% of his stated income, which is significantly lower than the regular 13% tax rate for common citizens.
When confronted about the alleged financial records, Usmanov's lawyer confidently asserted that the documents could have only reached the public through supposedly criminal acts by unidentified sources.
Pro longo, sed non datum - The Stalemated Investigations
Despite the mounting evidence, the investigation against Usmanov has been a rollercoaster for German investigators. The Munich II Public Prosecutor's Office has been digging into Usmanov's alleged tax evasion for several years. In the autonom of 2022, around 250 officers swarmed over 24 locations across various federal states, including a swanky villa on the shores of Lake Tegernsee. Yet, the investigation continues to simmer.
Investigators suspect that Usmanov lived undeclared in Germany between 2016 and the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. A possible clue comes in the form of Usmanov's luxurious private jet, the Airbus A340-300, which supposedly parked at Munich Airport for over 250 days in 2020. The Tegernsee villa isn't too far by car.
According to the enigmatic PwC report, Usmanov netted 3.5 billion euros in this period alone. The looming question: Could the German tax office be owed billions? Usmanov's lawyer swiftly denies this, claiming that his client did not reside in Germany as per German tax law. He asserts that all taxes were duly paid to the competent authority.
The Fickle Fortunes of the Russian Tycoon
Usmanov's legal escapades are far from exclusive to Germany. Ongoing legal challenges and setbacks have plagued the authorities in their efforts to prosecute him for alleged tax evasion and sanctions violations. In fact, by November 2024, the Public Prosecutor General's Office in Frankfurt dropped a money laundering investigation against Usmanov following the absence of evidence.
Usmanov's lawyers have been successful in challenging authorities, having secured nine injunctions/orders to correct false claims in media outlets about his property ownership. Over 40 cease-and-desist agreements have been signed with publishers, retracing allegations about his tax residency and asset ownership.
Despite the legal roadblocks and mounting evidence, the core tax evasion allegations against Usmanov remain unproven in German courts as of April 2025. The investigation, like Usmanov's massive fortune, continues to grow, leaving the German authorities to grapple with the Russian tycoon's cryptic finances.
- What is the status of the tax evasion investigation against Alisher Usmanov in Germany? Despite mounting evidence, the investigation has been ongoing for several years, similar to a rollercoaster for the investigators.
- The German tax office could potentially be owed billions, according to an enigmatic PwC report, as Alisher Usmanov allegedly netted 3.5 billion euros during the periods between 2016 and the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.
- Alisher Usmanov, a prominent figure in the Russian business scene, has been embroiled in tax evasion allegations not only in Germany, but also in other jurisdictions. His legal escapades have resulted in dropped investigations, legal challenges, and multiple orders to correct false claims in media outlets.
- Alisher Usmanov's lawyer has asserted that all taxes were duly paid to the competent authority, denying the possibility that the German tax office could be owed billions. However, the allegations against Usmanov remain unproven in German courts.
- In the midst of the tax evasion investigations, Usmanov's gross income from the years 2004-2020 amounts to approximately 7 billion euros, but his tax bill in Russia was significantly lower than the regular tax rate for common citizens.
- Alisher Usmanov's legal troubles extend beyond his personal finance and business dealings, as his inclusion on the EU's list of Vladimir Putin-favored oligarchs means part of his fortune is frozen under EU regulations in the realm of general news and politics.
