Interpol issues warrant for Russian oligarch Pugachev

Interpol has issued an international arrest warrant for Russian oligarch Sergei Pugachev, the former owner of French luxury food shop Hédiard and the paper France Soir. Russia accuses Pugachev, who is now living in exile, of embezzlement and fraud.

The photo of Sergei Pugatchev issued by Interpol

Interpol, which is based in the French city of Lyon, placed the 51-year-old oligarch on its red list on Thursday following a request from Russia, saying that he was charged with “misappropriation or embezzlement”.

The charges arise from an inquiry into the 2010 collapse of the International Industrial Bank (Mejprombank), which he founded with Sergei Veremeyenko.

Pugachev is accused of illegally transferring wealth out of the country for clients and could face up to 10 years in prison.

For a long time known as “the Kremlin’s banker”, Pugachev entered politics and fell out with President Vladimir Putin and his allies.

In 2007 he took over Hédiard, investing 100 million euros in the business, but was bought out by Austrian company Do & Co in June this year.

In 2009 he bought the France Soir daily for 100 million euros but the evening paper closed three years later.

Pugachev claims to be a victim of a “raid” by the Russian authorities because of his criticisms of the current government.