Russian cops on Wednesday detained the billionaire founder of a major agricultural company, state media reported, in what would be the highest-profile fraud case versus a magnate since the invasion of Ukraine.President Vladimir Putins earlier years in charge of Russia were marked by a project versus top organization figures to quash the power of the oligarchs and protect their commitment to the Kremlin.But arrests of business leaders have grown increasingly unusual as Putin, in power because the end of 1999, applied his supremacy and as the Ukraine war pushed them to rally around the Russian leader as they were hit with Western sanctions.Vadim Moshkovich, founder of the Rusagro farming corporation, was apprehended Wednesday on charges of massive embezzlement and abuse of workplace, the state-run RIA Novosti news firm reported, citing his lawyer.The TASS news firm and several Telegram channels close to the security services likewise reported his detention, citing unnamed sources in police, however provided no details of the accusations against him.Authorities had earlier raided a number of Rusagro offices, the business said in a statement.Rusagro is amongst Russias top sugar, meat and oil producers.The European Union approved Moshkovich in 2022 after he was one of a couple of lots magnate to attend a public conference with Putin in the Kremlin on the day Russia sent troops into Ukraine.The EU said his existence at the meeting was evidence of his closeness to the Russian leader and that he was supporting or carrying out actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Forbes has actually approximated Moshkovichs net worth at $2.7 billion.