French court increases amount of bail for Suleiman Kerimov eightfold

Today, in the French city of Aix-en-Provence, the Court of Appeal has left at liberty Russian senator Suleiman Kerimov, but increased the amount of bail up to 40 million euros.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Suleiman Kerimov was detained in France in the evening on November 20. On November 23, the court charged Suleiman Kerimov with laundering money got as a result of tax evasion. The Russian senator is released on bail of five million euros, and he is also banned from leaving France.

In addition to increasing the bail amount, the court has expanded the circle of persons banned from contacting Suleiman Kerimov, reported a source from the court.

The same has been confirmed by a prosecutor. "Mr Kerimov has been left at liberty under judicial control, and the investigation procedure will be continued as usually," announced the prosecutor after the court hearing.

According to her, the court hearing was held behind closed doors in the presence of Suleiman Kerimov himself, and the bail amount was increased for him from 5 million up to 40 million euros, the TASS reports.

In France, for laundering of money hidden from tax evasion, an individual may face up to 5 years of imprisonment or a fine of 375,000 euros (in case of aggravating circumstances, up to 10 years of imprisonment or up to 750,000 euros of fine). However, the case may not be brought to trial in case if defendant covers the damage caused.

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