The disclosure raises serious questions about the role played by PwC Cyprus in a potential sanctions breach.
Details of the blue-chip accounting firm's work for the Kremlin-connected tycoon have emerged as part of the Cyprus Confidential project-a cache of 3.6m offshore records leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and Germany's Paper Trail Media, which shared access with the Guardian and other media partners.
The files contain emails in which PwC Cyprus staff discuss attempting to transfer about a third of the shares in Tui, Europe's largest travel company, to the life partner of the steel, mining and banking tycoon Alexei Mordashov. The move shines a light on the services blue-chip advisers performed for wealthy Russian clients, amid a debate about the timings of when EU sanctions become fully active.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, western governments have imposed the largest ever package of sanctions against Russia and its business elite, and attention is now turning to ensuring those restrictions are enforced.
A spokesperson for the Cyprus ministry of finance said: "We are aware of Tui share transfers and a criminal investigation is being carried out."
A government spokesperson confirmed the investigation was "ongoing" and being conducted by the "responsible authorities" in Cyprus. He declined to give any further details.
PwC said it was unaware of any criminal investigation. In response to information in the leaked files, a spokesperson for the accounting firm said: "Any allegation of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations is taken very seriously, investigated and appropriate action is taken if necessary."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 15, 2023 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 15, 2023 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'Cold and direct' Fayed's security chief accused of facilitating abuse
It was May 1991 and Mohamed AI Fayed was in a foul mood. \"I told you, no sex with anybody else, no relationship with anybody else,\" he ranted.
Allegations made over tycoon's years at Fulham FC
Sexual assault allegations have been made relating to Mohamed AI Fayed's 16 years of ownership of Fulham Football Club, lawyers representing his accusers have said.
'No sane people are going' Leadership race casts pall over Tory conference
On Tuesday, four candidates will make their pitches to lead the Conservative party from a conference stage in Birmingham. Their immediate challenge after the Tory rout this summer will be to reinvigorate demoralised MPs and members.
Pandemic as deadly as Covid-19 'a certainty', says Whitty
Another pandemic as big as the Covid crisis that killed 7 million people worldwide was \"a certainty\", Prof Sir Chris Whitty warned yesterday, as he said the UK's lack of intensive care capacity for the sickest patients was a \"political choice\".
Naomi Campbell banned as charity trustee for five years
Naomi Campbell has been banned from being a charity trustee after a watchdog investigation uncovered widespread evidence of financial misconduct at the poverty relief charity she founded.
Family haunted by last moments of teenager killed by 12-year-olds
The family of a man killed by the UK's youngest knife murderers have said they are haunted by thoughts of his last moments and \"how scared he must have been\".
London rail stations to be shut for up to eight days over festive period
Some of London's main railway stations will be closed and train services diverted at Christmas time, Network Rail has said.
'Weekend warrior' workouts may provide same health boost as more regular exercise
If exercise takes a back seat in the working week, take heart. Cramming the recommended amount of weekly activity into weekends has significant health benefits, research suggests.
'Was there an attack?' Tel Avivians unfazed but hope fades for hostages
Air raid sirens blared in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning as, for the first time, Hezbollah fired a surface-to-surface missile at the coastal city. A few minutes later, beachgoers flooded the bustling promenade, playing volleyball, cycling and kite surfing.
Dotting the Es: abbey corrects spelling of Brontë in Poets' Corner after 85 years
An 85-year injustice has been rectified at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey with a correction to the spelling of one of the greatest of all literary names. Reader, it is finally Brontë, not Bronte.