Probe starts into Gazprom stock misappropriation by Browder-controlled structures
MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - The Russian Interior Ministry is probing suspected Gazprom stock misappropriation by structures controlled by Hermitage Capital head William Browder, the ministry's investigative department representative Mikhail Alexandrov told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday.
"His (Browder's) right to buy that stock was limited at the time by a presidential decree," he said.
The decree "compelled foreign investors registered in Russia to seek permission of the Federal Securities Commission and the Russian government to acquire stock," he said.
"Browder used a specially devised scheme to enable foreign companies to buy the most liquid assets allegedly on behalf of Russian legal entities registered in areas with preferential tax regimes," the Interior Ministry official said.
