13:46 05.06.2014

Austrian prosecutors suspect Azarov's son of money laundering, says newspaper

2 min read

Austrian prosecutors are probing into money laundering by the son of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov –Oleksiy Azarov, Austria's Die Presse newspaper has reported.

Die Presse learned from the law circles that Vienna prosecutors started an investigation against Oleksiy Azarov in late February. Azarov Jr., his wife Lilia and another Ukrainian citizen, tax consultant Christoph G. from Austrian town Krems and commercial law attorney Friedrich B. from Baden are suspected of money laundering and breaking economic sanctions laws in Austria.

The publication noted that Oleksiy Azarov was put on the list of persons on whom EU imposed sanctions.

The Austrian Prosecutor General's Office started the probe after a report of one of the Austrian banks on money laundering.

The investigation included the operations of Garda Handels- und Beteiligungs GmbH. in the center of Vienna, which earlier was headed by Azarov's wife Lilia. She worked in Parkring Street in Vienna in a gallery, and owned a stake in Vienna Deluxe Magazine until May 2014, reads the article.

Prosecutors believe that Friedrich B. managed the Austrian assets of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych. Responding to an inquiry of Die Presse, he said that he did not violate EU sanctions and he does not know crimes on the basis of which his operation could be considered money laundering.

As reported, in February 2014, Austrian media reports gave information on the investigation into money laundering and abuse of power by former head of the presidential administration of Ukraine, Andriy Kliuyev.

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