Among the millions of documents from Cyprus recently discovered by an international investigative network, there are also references to large sums of money allegedly received from Russia by a German TV journalist.
Putin biographer Hubert Seipel is said to have received hundreds of thousands of euros from Russia in the context of a so-called sponsorship agreement without informing the broadcaster NDR as his employer. As the Spiegel and the ZDF magazine Frontal reported on Tuesday, citing confidential documents from Cyprus, it specifically concerns 600,000 euros.
Oligarch business network as contractual partners
Seipel’s contract partner was officially a shell company called De Vere Worldwide Corporation, based in the British Virgin Islands. This apparently belongs to the business network of the Russian oligarch and long-time major shareholder of TUI Alexei Mordashov, on whom the European Union imposed sanctions after the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. There were indications that there had previously been a second, similar agreement.
Publisher stops selling Putin books
Seipel had interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin several times. His biography “Putin. “Insights about power.” The book ‘Putin’s Power’ followed in 2021. Why Europe needs Russia”. Both books were published by the Hamburg publishing house Hoffmann and Campe. The publisher and the NDR stated that they knew nothing about the payments and announced that they would investigate the events. Hoffmann and Campe stopped selling his books about Vladimir Putin.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
