Kerimov minimizes major projects in Dagestan

The Makhachkala Airport is last major asset of Suleiman Kerimov and his family in Dagestan, the Dagestani journalists, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 20, Suleiman Kerimov was detained by the French police in the case of tax evasion. The businessman pleaded not guilty. On November 23 the French court accused Suleiman Kerimov of laundering the money obtained from tax evasion.

"At present, Suleiman Kerimov has no major assets in Dagestan," Milrad Fatullaev, the editor-in-chief of the RIA "Derbent", has noted, adding, however, that Kerimov is working to restore and reconstruct social and cultural facilities in Southern Dagestan.

"For example, he financed the reconstruction of the burnt down house-museum of the national poet of Dagestan Suleiman Stalsky in the village of Ashaga-Stal; he has also allocated funds for the reconstruction and repair of School No. 18 and the dispensary in Derbent," Mr Fatullaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"As for economic projects, the Kerimov's team continues fighting for the Makhachkala Trade Port," Milrad Fatullaev has added.

At the same time, as noted by Fatullaev, Kerimov has abandoned his very costly asset – the "Anji" Football Club (FC), and handed the Caspian Glass Factory over to his creditor, the VTB Bank.

"In fact, apart from the airport, Kerimov's structures possess no more serious assets in Dagestan; the main reason being the regional authorities' policy aimed at reducing and eliminating Kerimov's influence in Dagestan," the journalist has concluded.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.