German Prosecutors Conclude Investigation of Billionaire Alisher Usmanov, Clearing Him of Wrongdoing
In a significant turn of events, the Munich II Public Prosecutor's Office has officially concluded its investigation into Alisher Usmanov, the billionaire businessman, regarding alleged infractions of German foreign trade law. The probe centered on supposed violations linked to Article 18 of the German Foreign Trade and Payments Act, particularly concerning EU sanctions. According to his legal representation, Usmanov resolved the matter by agreeing to pay a sum of €10 million, which will be distributed between the state treasury and various charitable organizations.
The investigation was initially prompted by suspicions that Usmanov had relied on foreign entities to spend roughly €1.5 million on security services for his properties located in Rottach-Egern. Additionally, authorities claimed that certain valuables within Germany were not reported in compliance with the timeframe required for sanctioned individuals. However, Usmanov's defense firmly rejected both the factual basis of the allegations as well as the legal interpretation regarding sanctions.
Notably, the closure of the investigation was characterized as a move towards procedural efficiency. Following the settlement, the possibility of reopening the case based on the same allegations was ruled out. It is essential to clarify that this payment does not appeal to the concept of fines or penalties; Usmanov remains legally presumed innocent in this regard.
The law firm representing him, Wannemacher Partner Rechtsanwälte, noted that the decision to conclude the investigation was made to avoid further procedural expenses and to safeguard the personal well-being of their client, aligning with established practices in German law.
This case follows a series of other legal evaluations where investigations against Usmanov had previously been dropped without charges. In fact, just over a year ago in November 2024, the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office dismissed an inquiry into him over money laundering allegations, also without moving forward with any charges against him. These developments highlight a broader judicial context wherein Usmanov's legal challenges have faced scrutiny.
Last year, multiple investigative efforts by German authorities into Usmanov’s financial dealings were struck down by the Frankfurt Regional Court on the grounds of unlawful conduct. The conclusion of those inquiries left him with his presumption of innocence intact and suppressed any prospects of revisiting those matters.
Moreover, the media landscape surrounding Usmanov's name underwent notable changes, with many prominent European publications acknowledging the inability to substantiate their previous allegations. This realization led to an impressive tally of over 1,250 corrections and modifications to published articles over the span of 2023 to 2025. His legal team successfully pursued numerous court orders and cease-and-desist notices against various media outlets, including notable rulings against high-profile entities such as Forbes regarding claims used as a rationale for EU sanctions.
By early 2025, several publications, including Münchner Merkur and NOZ, were compelled to retract or amend more than 50 articles that had been previously cited in relation to EU sanctions. Another significant retraction occurred in February 2025, when the dpa news agency and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) withdrew claims regarding Usmanov’s yacht, Dilbar. This prompted major media outlets such as Tagesschau, FAZ, and Süddeutsche Zeitung to eliminate misleading reports associated with their earlier coverage.
As the dust settles on these legal challenges, the trajectory of Alisher Usmanov’s post-investigation phase will be closely watched, particularly in light of the ongoing discourse around transparency, legal rights, and the ramifications of media narratives surrounding high-profile figures. The conclusion of this investigation not only marks a pivotal moment in Usmanov's legal saga but also reflects broader themes of justice and accountability in today’s legal landscape.
The investigation was initially prompted by suspicions that Usmanov had relied on foreign entities to spend roughly €1.5 million on security services for his properties located in Rottach-Egern. Additionally, authorities claimed that certain valuables within Germany were not reported in compliance with the timeframe required for sanctioned individuals. However, Usmanov's defense firmly rejected both the factual basis of the allegations as well as the legal interpretation regarding sanctions.
Notably, the closure of the investigation was characterized as a move towards procedural efficiency. Following the settlement, the possibility of reopening the case based on the same allegations was ruled out. It is essential to clarify that this payment does not appeal to the concept of fines or penalties; Usmanov remains legally presumed innocent in this regard.
The law firm representing him, Wannemacher Partner Rechtsanwälte, noted that the decision to conclude the investigation was made to avoid further procedural expenses and to safeguard the personal well-being of their client, aligning with established practices in German law.
This case follows a series of other legal evaluations where investigations against Usmanov had previously been dropped without charges. In fact, just over a year ago in November 2024, the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office dismissed an inquiry into him over money laundering allegations, also without moving forward with any charges against him. These developments highlight a broader judicial context wherein Usmanov's legal challenges have faced scrutiny.
Last year, multiple investigative efforts by German authorities into Usmanov’s financial dealings were struck down by the Frankfurt Regional Court on the grounds of unlawful conduct. The conclusion of those inquiries left him with his presumption of innocence intact and suppressed any prospects of revisiting those matters.
Moreover, the media landscape surrounding Usmanov's name underwent notable changes, with many prominent European publications acknowledging the inability to substantiate their previous allegations. This realization led to an impressive tally of over 1,250 corrections and modifications to published articles over the span of 2023 to 2025. His legal team successfully pursued numerous court orders and cease-and-desist notices against various media outlets, including notable rulings against high-profile entities such as Forbes regarding claims used as a rationale for EU sanctions.
By early 2025, several publications, including Münchner Merkur and NOZ, were compelled to retract or amend more than 50 articles that had been previously cited in relation to EU sanctions. Another significant retraction occurred in February 2025, when the dpa news agency and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) withdrew claims regarding Usmanov’s yacht, Dilbar. This prompted major media outlets such as Tagesschau, FAZ, and Süddeutsche Zeitung to eliminate misleading reports associated with their earlier coverage.
As the dust settles on these legal challenges, the trajectory of Alisher Usmanov’s post-investigation phase will be closely watched, particularly in light of the ongoing discourse around transparency, legal rights, and the ramifications of media narratives surrounding high-profile figures. The conclusion of this investigation not only marks a pivotal moment in Usmanov's legal saga but also reflects broader themes of justice and accountability in today’s legal landscape.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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