The authorities of Great Britain began an investigation due to the transaction on the sale of the TruphaNE telecommunications company Businessman Roman Abramovich (Forbes estimates his fortune at $ 8.7 billion, is under the sanctions of Britain and the EU) for 1 pounds of sterling to German entrepreneur Khakan Kochu, who is checked for possible ties with Russia, writes The Telegraph with reference to sources.
The investigation order was given by the Secretary of State for Business Kvassi Quarteng. Koch, the owner of the Auto1 online store (on his website it is stated that this is the largest platform for the sale of used cars in Europe) opposed the investigation, saying that he was left in ignorance, the newspaper writes. He turned to the quarten with a request to hold a meeting and discuss the deal.
The sources of the newspaper close to the transaction said that the investigation actually “left Abramovich’s hands in the hands of Abramovich,” and further blocking of the company’s sale could jeopardize hundreds of jobs. The company specializes in the provision of mobile communications and the Internet, including through ESIM technology, which allows you to connect to the operator without the need to purchase a physical SIM card.
The newspaper writes that. The investigation is connected with suspicions that the application for the purchase of Truphone may be related to Russia. The publication indicates that the Auto1 platform Khakana Kocha received investments from the venture fund Target Global, which is managed by Alexander Frolov Jr.- the son of businessman Alexander Frolov (Forbes estimates his fortune at $ 2.6 billion), a partner of Abramovich, another shareholder of Truphone, and a co-owner of the mining ministry. Evraz metallurgical company. Frolov Sr., unlike Abramovich, did not fall under the sanctions. In May, he announced the decision of the president of Evraz.