German resort's rift over Russian oligarch resonates across country

[riversedge]

Source: reuters



March 21, 20221:20 AM CDTLast Updated 4 hours ago





FRANKFURT, March 21 (Reuters) - A German politician who mobilized a protest against a now-sanctioned Russian resident of his resort town has attracted a following, but also angry emails and a threatening phone call.

This mirrors Germany's ambivalence to becoming a sanctuary for wealth in a culture that cherishes privacy but that critics say has allowed the mega-rich to squirrel away assets in secrecy.

And while Britain, France, Italy and Spain have seized yachts and other property since Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of sanctions on influential Russians, Germany appears to have sat on its hands.

"For years, Germany has been a magnet for dirty money from all over the world. For too long, we did not look closely enough, and now we are suffering the consequences," Lisa Paus, a member of Germany's parliament, said......................

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-resorts-rift-over-russian-oligarch-resonates-across-country-2022-03-21/

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Good for these folks who are opposing the Russian billionaires presence. They set a good example.



5 minute read
Russian President Putin shakes hands with billionaire Usmanov before a meeting with Italian businessmen in Moscow
Dilbar superyacht is seen in the Blohm+Voss dock in the harbour in Hamburg
Boats cruise on lake Tegernsee during a hot, sunny day in Germany
4/4

[BumRushDaShow]

1. "For too long, we did not look closely enough"

To that observant Parlamentarierin - that wasn't it. The PTB knew what was going on and what was there but if it benefited them (and probably what they believed benefited the country as a whole), then it wasn't acted on. And Deutsche Bank was right up there willing to be of service.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Just like the corrupt politicians in the US, they knew exactly where the money came from.

And what was expected in return.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Exactly.

(and Happy belated St. Patrick's Day to you! )

[Irish_Dem]

9. Thank you BR!

Much appreciated!

Hope you are doing well.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Yup hanging in there!!!

Still juggling a million things...

[Irish_Dem]

11. A million things a day is child's play for you, BR.

You can do that with your eyes closed and one hand tied behind your back.

I really do not know how you do it!

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Makes me want to

...but never even get around to that...

[Irish_Dem]

13. Darn shame, isn't it?

I was always the same way....

Well, have a small one on me!

[lastlib]

2. I've reached the conclusion that we should revise Shakespeare:

"First thing we do, let's kill all the billionaires."

[Ford_Prefect]

4. I prefer eating the rich to merely killing them. I like the message that sends to the rest.

After all they have been consuming us for centuries.

IMO they are best served grilled with a side of fries and a glass of iced tea, or a or with salsa and a light salad.

Your mileage may vary...

[ToxMarz]

5. Maybe Deutsche Bank is a part of that magnet

God knows how in bed they seem to be with dirty money.

[GB_RN]

7. DB Was Definitely A Part Of Russian Money Laundering...

They've been linked to the Russian mob for years, IIRC.

DB wasn't even going to leave Russia after the invasion until there was a huge outcry over the bank's stance.

[GB_RN]

8. The UK May Have Seized Some Yachts...

But they've been really slow to do anything else. London, and the ruling Conservative party in particular, have been the recipients of lots of Russian rubles. Because of that money that his party has gotten, Boris Johnson has been loathe to do anything else.

A lot of high-end London real estate is owned by Russian oligarchs and one of those goons owns a chunk of the Chelsea United football (soccer) club. He's been desperate to unload his share, and his real estate holdings, since the invasion and announcement of sanctions elsewhere, in fear of London doing the same and losing his money. He offered his stake in Chelsea to a Swiss billionaire who told him that he was asking too much. When interviewed by a reporter over the offer, the Swiss billionaire told the reporter that he was going to let the Russian stew for a few days (basically to get him to come off the price and get a better deal for himself). Whether or not that has gone through, I don't know.

Tom Walker is a British comedian who does a bit as "Jonathan Pie", a correspondent for the NYT, explaining how Putin weaponized London's greed. And yes, it was an actual video editorial for the NYT. He's done others.