FBI Conducts 10-Hour Search at US Home of Russian Billionaire Close to Putin

Investigation into Rusal Chairman Deripaska
Deripaska Sanctioned by US over Alleged Interference in 2016 US Presidential Election

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) simultaneously raided two residences linked to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire known as an associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 19th (local time) that the FBI conducted a raid lasting about 10 hours on two homes associated with Deripaska located in New York and Washington that morning. Investigators from the Southern District of New York also accompanied the search.

Neither the FBI nor the prosecutors disclosed the specific charges against Deripaska.

Russian state-owned Sputnik News reported that investigators on site refused to comment on the charges against Deripaska.

However, there is speculation that an investigation is underway regarding whether Deripaska violated U.S. sanctions imposed on him since 2018.

Deripaska’s spokesperson Larisa Belyayeva also stated in a press release that "the search is being conducted under a court order related to U.S. sanctions."

Spokesperson Belyayeva added that the residences targeted in the search are owned by Deripaska’s relatives.

Deripaska, an associate of Russian President Putin, has been under U.S. sanctions for alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. These sanctions froze and restricted his asset holdings and business operations within the United States.

Meanwhile, on the 20th, Deripaska claimed via his Telegram channel that the Washington and New York homes raided by the FBI the previous day were abandoned and unused.

He further stated, "Watching everything happening in the U.S., I continue to be amazed by the excessive foolishness of some American officials," adding, "They persistently spread the fairy tale that Russians played a huge role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election."

He sarcastically questioned, "Did the (U.S.) officials find Putin’s money in a haunted house or something?"

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, commented on the FBI raids, saying, "If the actions of the (U.S.) judicial authorities concern Russian citizens, naturally, we are ready to use all means to protect their interests and ensure their rights are upheld."

This was a warning that Russia would respond firmly if any illegal elements were involved in the U.S. authorities’ raids.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.