Usmanov informed the RSPP that he was “withdrawing from active activities”

The businessman, according to Forbes one of the richest people in Russia, Alisher Usmanov, asked to be released from membership in the Bureau of the Board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), announced his retirement and withdrawal from active activities. About this RBC reports with reference to a source close to RSPP.

A screenshot of a letter signed by Usmanov addressed to the Bureau of the Board of the RSPP published Telegram channel BRIEF. The RBC source confirms its authenticity. Another source reports that the request will be considered on January 25. There are no comments from Usmanov or his representatives yet. It is not clear from the letter what, apart from leaving the Bureau of the RSPP, the departure from active activity consists of.

Alisher Usmanov is the founder and largest shareholder (49%) of the USM group, which includes, in particular, Metalloinvest, Udokanskaya Med and MegaFon. Usmanov owns the publishing house “Kommersant”, was previously the owner of VK (social network VKontakte) and co-owner of the British club “Arsenal”, until March 2022 he held the post of head of the International Fencing Federation.

Last year, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the USA, EU countries and Great Britain introduced sanctions against Usmanov – Western countries consider him an oligarch close to the Kremlin and therefore responsible for financing the aggression. Due to the sanctions, real estate belonging to Usmanov in the EU and Great Britain, as well as the yacht Dilbar, belonging to entities connected with the businessman, were arrested. Usmanov himself did not speak publicly about the war, he challenged the European Union sanctions in court.

Alexei Navalny and his associates accused Usmanov of corruption. In one of the most famous investigations of FBK “You’re not Dymon”, it was claimed that Usmanov indirectly bribed the former head of government Dmitry Medvedev. Usmanov denied this. After the investigation was released, he recorded a video appeal to Navalny, in which he accused the oppositionist of lying with the words “Fuck you.” Usmanov won a court case against Navalny in Moscow for the protection of honor and dignity.

Navalny called on Western countries to impose sanctions against Usmanov, a resident of Great Britain, due to corruption. However, sanctions were introduced only after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.