The case of Manafort: the FBI is investigating money laundering by Putin’s cronies

The Federal Bureau of investigation appealed to the officials of Cyprus to provide financial information on the liquidated Bank FBME, which was used close to the President of the Russian Federation, the Russians, and was accused by the government of the United States in money laundering. It is reported by the Guardian , citing its sources.

“The FBI became interested in FBME Bank, as Cyprus became the object of investigation of the possible collusion between the presidential campaign of Donald trump and the Kremlin, which is the special adviser of the Bureau, Robert Mueller”, – stated in the message.

According to one source, the query associated with the ongoing test of Mueller’s former spin doctor of the Party of regions Paul Manafort, who was also head of the election headquarters of the President of the United States Donald trump.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that FBME is the object of two American investigations: one on the credit card divisions of the Bank, and the other is about money-laundering from Russia.

The publication said that the investigation led by U.S. attorney’s office in new York, due to the flow of illicit Russian money into the real estate market in the city.

“FBME, strongly denied the accusations that she is a channel for money laundering and other criminal activities. The owners, of Lebanese brothers Ayyub-Farid Saab and Fadi Michel Saab, issued a statement following the recent series of critical articles about the Bank and denied all the offences”, – stated in the message.

However, according to the internal report of the Central Bank of Cyprus on FBME for 2014, which is available to the Guardian, the Bank has established a financial relationship with several Russians, who were considered politically sensitive clients, and that about half of the customers of the Bank were citizens of Russia, including Vladimir Smirnov , close to the Russian President , Vladimir Putin, and Alexander Shishkin, member of the presidential party United Russia.

Read also: the Court agreed to release Manafort from house arrest

In 2016, the Bank hit by the so-called “fifth special measure” is a strong management tool that was created after the terrorist attacks in USA on 11 September.

In this regard, the Bank was forbidden to do business in the USA or use us dollars.

“Not yet, answers to questions about why Muller and his team of investigators are interested in the financial data FBME. But it indicates that he continues to explore the cash flows of Cyprus”, – stated in the message.

On 5 December it was reportedthat spectracolor USA Robert Mueller, who is investigating the alleged intervention of Russia in the U.S. presidential election in 2016, accused Manafort that he, along with his colleague, who is associated with the exploration of the Russian Federation, worked on the publication of an article about its activities in Ukraine in order to influence public opinion.

See also: the Judge ordered Manafort not to talk to the press

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