Ukrainian authorities raid billionaire Kolomoiskiy’s dwelling – media studies

KYIV, Feb 1 (Reuters) – State safety officers searched the house of billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoiskiy on Wednesday as a part of an investigation into attainable monetary crimes, a number of Ukrainian media retailers reported, citing an unnamed official supply.

The State Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark in regards to the studies. Kolomoiskiy couldn’t be reached for remark.

Kolomoiskiy is one in every of Ukraine’s richest males and a one-time ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy who launched a crackdown on rich businessmen often known as “oligarchs” in late 2021, earlier than Russia invaded its neighbour final 12 months.

Kolomoiskiy, who’s from the central metropolis of Dnipro and owns an array of property together with one in every of Ukraine’s most influential tv channels, backed Zelenskiy’s election marketing campaign in 2019.

Ukrainska Pravda, one in every of at the very least three retailers reporting the raid on Kolomoiskiy’s dwelling, stated the transfer associated to an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of oil merchandise and evasion of customs duties.

The search was carried out by officers from the SBU and the Financial Safety Bureau of Ukraine.

Reporting by Olena Harmash and Dan Peleschuk, writing by Max Hunder, Modifying by Tom Balmforth and Timothy Heritage

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.