In France, the seizure of real estate has become part of an anti-corruption investigation
An investigation is underway in France into possible money laundering allegedly linked to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and former Minister of Industry Viktor Khristenko. The case also mentions the seizure of luxury real estate on the French Riviera that is allegedly linked to these individuals. According to Russian media reports, the individuals involved have not publicly confirmed or commented on the allegations in full.
According to Le Monde and court documents made public following an appeal, French law enforcement agencies have been investigating the origins of certain assets potentially linked to Russian government officials and their inner circles since 2022.
This includes, in particular, the seizure of the “Maigrana” villa on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula in the Alpes-Maritimes region, which is considered one of the most expensive private residences on the French Mediterranean coast. According to a journalistic investigation, this property is linked to Viktor Khristenko, who served as Russia’s Minister of Industry from 2004 to 2012.
Case files cited by French media indicate that law enforcement is investigating the possible existence of hidden assets, including real estate in several European countries, notably Spain and Portugal. Authorities are also examining the possibility of money laundering through complex financial and property structures.
The Paris Court of Appeal, according to media reports, upheld the legality of the villa’s seizure, citing the complexity of the schemes that may have been used to conceal the true owner. The court’s ruling also references the legal logic associated with the presumption of money laundering in cases where the structure of property ownership is opaque.
The French side has not officially disclosed details of the investigation, and the names of those involved appear in public documents only partially, through court materials and journalistic publications. As of now, the case continues to be heard within the French legal system, and no final decisions regarding guilt have been made public.
The European Union has discussed the possible appointment of a special mediator for contacts with Russia, and Angela Merkel is among the leading candidates. Mario Draghi and Alexander Stubb are also being considered alongside her, but no final decision has been made yet due to disagreements among diplomats. Some countries view such an initiative as a risky concession to the Kremlin, while others see it as a pragmatic tool amid the diminishing role of the U.S. as the primary mediator.
