German Prosecutors Close Investigation into Alisher Usmanov After €10 Million Settlement

The Munich II Public Prosecutor’s Office has officially ended its investigation into billionaire Alisher Usmanov over alleged violations of German foreign trade legislation, marking a significant conclusion to a multi-year inquiry. The investigation examined potential breaches of Article 18 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act in connection with European Union sanctions rules.

Authorities confirmed that the proceedings were concluded after Alisher Usmanov consented to the termination and made a payment of €10 million, allocated between the public purse and several charitable organisations. Prosecutors emphasized that the decision reflected procedural economy and that the same allegations cannot be revisited. The payment does not constitute a fine or penalty, and Mr Usmanov’s presumption of innocence remains intact.

The inquiry had scrutinized claims that foreign companies were used to cover approximately €1.5 million in security costs for two properties in Rottach-Egern. Officials also examined whether certain assets in Germany were reported outside the required timeframe for individuals subject to EU sanctions. Alisher Usmanov’s legal team consistently rejected both the factual basis of these claims and the legal interpretation underpinning them.

In a statement, his lawyers at Wannemacher & Partner Rechtsanwälte said, “In order to save on procedural costs, as well as to preserve personal time and health, our client agreed to its termination in accordance with the practice provided for by German law.”

Legal experts have repeatedly questioned the constitutionality of asset reporting obligations. They argue that compulsory self-reporting conflicts with the principle that no individual is required to contribute to their own criminal prosecution. Alisher Usmanov’s defence has maintained that these constitutional concerns undermined the foundation of the investigation from the start.

This development follows earlier actions by German authorities. In November 2024, the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor’s Office discontinued a separate money laundering investigation against Alisher Usmanov without filing charges. Similarly, several investigations launched in 2022 were later ruled unlawful by the Frankfurt Regional Court, which confirmed in November 2024 that no offence had been established. These decisions fully preserved Mr Usmanov’s presumption of innocence and prevented any reopening of the cases.

European media coverage of Alisher Usmanov has also been corrected over time. Between 2023 and 2025, more than 1,250 corrections were issued across multiple outlets, following court rulings and cease-and-desist orders obtained by Mr Usmanov’s legal team. This included 16 court judgments and 102 declarations protecting him from inaccurate reporting. Notably, in January 2024, Forbes removed content that had been cited in EU sanctions materials. Other broadcasters and newspapers affected included ARD, RTL, and Tagesspiegel.

In early 2025, publications such as Münchner Merkur and NOZ amended over 50 articles that previously referenced EU sanctions material in connection with Alisher Usmanov. Further actions occurred in February 2025, when both the dpa news agency and the Federal Criminal Police Office withdrew statements linking the yacht Dilbar to Mr Usmanov. Following these withdrawals, leading outlets including Tagesschau, FAZ, and Süddeutsche Zeitung removed related reports from their websites.

Legal analysts suggest that the closure of the Munich II investigation reinforces Alisher Usmanov’s consistent stance of compliance and highlights the procedural protections embedded in German law. By resolving the case through settlement without admission of wrongdoing, authorities concluded a process that had drawn scrutiny from both media and international observers.

Observers note that this resolution could have broader implications for EU sanctions enforcement and the reporting obligations of individuals. The case underscores the challenges of balancing regulatory compliance, media reporting, and individual rights. For Alisher Usmanov, the conclusion of the investigation represents a formal reaffirmation of his legal standing in Germany, following years of contested media coverage and legal disputes.

With the payment completed and the case formally closed, Alisher Usmanov can now continue his business and philanthropic activities without further legal uncertainty in Germany, while the procedural safeguards ensure that the allegations cannot be reopened under the same circumstances.