Russian links in search

US federal agents yesterday simultaneously searched properties in Manhattan, a posh Hamptons beach community, and an exclusive Miami island that have been linked to a billionaire Russian oligarch whose US$120 million ($197m) yacht was seized in April. The FBI confirmed it was at a Park Avenue high-rise, an estate in Southampton, New York, and the enclave of Fisher Island on Friday, conducting what Miami-based FBI spokesperson Jim Marshall described as “court-ordered law enforcement activity”. The bureau would not provide more information. The properties are linked to Viktor Vekselberg, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. There was no immediate response to a request for comment sent to lawyers who have represented Vekselberg. All the properties searched are owned by Vekselberg’s childhood friend Vladimir Voronchenko or companies tied to Voronchenko’s family and associates. Voronchenko was the founding director of a St Petersburg museum built to house the oligarch’s Faberge egg collection. Among the properties were four luxury condominiums on Fisher Island. Three were purchased for a combined US$42 million but are worth considerably more today.