Meet the oligarchs: Switzerland's awkward guests

[Sherman A1]

Switzerland is widely assumed to be one of the favourite global destinations for Russian billionaires with links to the Kremlin.

This content was published on March 25, 2022 - 09:00 March 25, 2022 - 09:00

Multiple passports, visas and residences make it difficult to trace the exact whereabouts of oligarchs. Lawyers and financial advisors are busy obscuring the trail of their billions with shell companies and trust funds.

Sorting the fact from the fiction is far from straightforward. But the unmistakable fingerprints of some sanctioned Russians can still be found in Switzerland – and not just in the banking system.

The confirmed residents

Viktor Vekselberg is easily the most visible Russian billionaire in Switzerland. He took residence in 2007 and has lived in the Alpine country ever since, despite being on the receiving end of sanctions in 2018 and more recent measures.

He announced his arrival with a spate of company takeovers through his holding company Renova. Sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Crimea forced him to reduce his personal stake in the Swiss industrial landscape to avoid exposing these firms to trade restrictions. In March, the United States moved to impound a yacht and private jet, accusing Vekselberg of having close links with Vladimir Putin.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/meet-the-oligarchs--switzerland-s-awkward-guests/47457106?utm_campaign=teaser-in-channel&utm_content=o&utm_medium=display&utm_source=swissinfoch

[secondwind]

1. Putin's mistress and the 4 children she had with him has been set up in a Swiss chalet..........

to keep her out of harm's way. If only we knew where she is ............