French Prosecutor's Office accuses Kerimov of importing up to 750 million euros

Russian Senator Suleiman Kerimov, accused by French authorities of tax evasion and money laundering, has imported to France from 500 million to 750 million US dollars, said Jean-Michel Prêtre, the prosecutor of the city of Nice.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 20, Suleiman Kerimov was detained by the French police in the case of tax evasion. The businessman pleaded not guilty. On November 23 the French court accused Suleiman Kerimov of laundering the money obtained from tax evasion.

According to Nice prosecutor's version, Suleiman Kerimov has brought to France from 500 million to 750 million US dollars failing to inform tax authorities about this money. "The point is not only about cash: there were also transfers from one account to another... The money was intended for purchase of real estate; and the official price thereof was ridiculously low compared to real transaction amounts," the French edition "20minutes" quotes Mr Prêtre as saying.

According to the prosecutor, French authorities have evidence of transferring huge sums of money to France within this criminal case, the "Interfax" has added.

According to Mr Prêtre's statement, "suitcases of Kerimov's money" had been brought to Alpes-Maritimes, a department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, each containing up to 20 million euros, the French newspaper "Nice Matin" reports.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.