Russian businessman, member of the Federation Council Suleiman Kerimov was detained in Nice. This is reported by TASS with reference to the press service of the Russian Embassy in France.

According to a Reuters source, Karimov's detention is related to the case of buying expensive real estate on the Cote d'Azur through shell companies to evade taxes. RT, citing the prosecutor's office, also reported that the case was related to tax evasion.

The businessman was detained on November 20 at Nice airport.

“We are in constant contact with the local authorities and are seeking his release,” the representative of the embassy told RIA Novosti.

In March, the Nice-Matin publication reported a search at the villa of Suleiman Kerimov on the Cote d'Azur as part of an investigation into the acquisition of real estate. Kerimov's representatives then stated that the property did not belong to him.
Suleiman Kerimov and members of his family control the Nafta Moskva and Polyus Gold companies, as well as the Makhachkala airport. Forbes magazine estimates his fortune at 6.3 billion dollars and puts him in 21st place in the list of the richest businessmen in Russia. Suleiman Kerimov has been a member of the Federation Council from Dagestan since 2008.

Suleiman Kerimov was detained in France