Nearly 900 people on the sanctions list – investigations difficult in Austria. Noble winter sports areas in sight.
While Italy, France and Britain report almost daily seizures of yachts or posh villas belonging to Putin’s friends on the Western sanctions list, Austria has been suspiciously quiet so far.
How are the investigations carried out by the specially created “Soko oligarchs” or the task force of the National Bank, state security, finance and justice in our country? The “Krone” spoke with the chief of intelligence and deputy director of the secret service of the police DSN.
Hundreds of millions in escrow accounts
“We are currently investigating some suspicious activity reports related to real estate,” confirms David Blum. In the case of two houses with villas (in noble winter sports areas), it is now the turn of the respective courts, there is a sales ban. In addition, hundreds of millions in accounts were frozen.
Difficult research
But why does the research feel so heavy compared to other countries? On the one hand, the Sanctions Act dates from 2010 and has long since become obsolete. On the other hand, there have never been sanctions of this magnitude. And behind closed doors, it is confirmed that wealthy Russians often have decades of experience hiding their possessions. In the case of the two hits, the owners were just so “stupid” that they put their real name in the registry.
New Russian names are constantly being added to the mysterious sanctions list, currently there are 880. Billionaire and Putin confidant Oleg Deripaska, who is well connected in Austria, is still not said to be on it.
Magnate Firtash does not want to be a “man of Russia”.
However, news from another oligarch that is causing a stir among us: Dmytro Firtash. The Ukrainian donated 3 million euros to his home country, and his DF group of companies is trying to maintain the supply of grain and gas.
And in the “Spectator” interview, he defends himself against close ties with Putin. Both he and his mother were themselves on the Russian sanctions list. “What kind of man of Russia could I be?”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
