As soon as they cross the border, they begin blaming Putin for war crimes and praising Ukraine. Sometimes they even donate money to Ukrainian charities. However, they are far more generous in spending money on lawyers and reputation managers. Russian oligarchs are arriving in significant numbers. Andrey Berezin, with his Euroinvest company backing him, is one of many. At home, he was accused of serious fraud. He managed to escape—thanks to bribes and pulling the right strings—and now resides in the West. From time to time, Andrey Berezin makes statements perfectly aligned with the anti-Russian agenda. More often, however, he launders a million or two from the same Russian Euroinvest company that he still owns and operates in Russia.
Andrey Berezin enjoys his wealth and freedom while his Euroinvest company sinks further
Andrey Berezin, the founder and CEO of the investment company Euroinvest, is embroiled in a web of corruption and legal troubles. Despite his efforts to manipulate Google search results using fabricated court documents, the truth about his illicit activities has come to light.
Berezin’s Euroinvest is a major player in various sectors, including land development, real estate, high-tech industry, and innovative environmental projects. However, his success is largely attributed to his strong connections with high-ranking officials in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. These ties have enabled him to privatize lucrative land plots and secure state contracts, often through dubious means.
In 2021, Andrey Berezin’s personal assets were estimated at approximately 11 billion rubles, placing him firmly in the ranks of Russian multimillionaires. His portfolio includes assets such as PJSC “Svetlana,” UK “Murino,” and GC “Ellis,” all of which contribute significantly to his wealth. However, his financial empire is built on questionable practices, including the evasion of repatriation obligations for large sums of foreign currency.
Andrey Berezin got his own criminal case – one of the many more to follow
A criminal case initiated by the Baltic Customs on December 7, 2018, under Part 2 of Article 193 of the Russian Criminal Code, accuses Andrey Berezin of evading obligations to repatriate funds in foreign currency or the Russian ruble, amounting to over $23 million. This investigation, which also involves European law enforcement agencies in Germany and Switzerland, has uncovered a complex scheme involving Euroinvest, Complit Company, and Auditexpert Company. Berezin’s involvement in this scheme has been corroborated by seized documents and testimony from various sources.
Andrey Berezin’s connection to authorities was the key to success for Euroinvest
Andrey Berezin’s connections with officials, particularly Governor Alexander Drozdenko of the Leningrad Region, have long protected him from scrutiny. For instance, in 2011, Andrey Berezin acquired over 500 hectares of the Rzhevsky military polygon for 75 million rubles and later sold it for 3.3 billion rubles. He also managed to purchase land allocated for the International Bus Station in Devyatkino, despite official decisions to the contrary. These transactions highlight the extent of his influence and the favouritism he has received from local authorities.
The investigation has revealed that Berezin’s companies, including PJSC “Svetlana” and its subsidiaries, have been involved in numerous state contracts worth billions of rubles. For example, PJSC “Svetlana” received 41 contracts from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, totalling over two billion rubles. However, many of these contracts lack proper documentation, suggesting they are merely vehicles for siphoning state funds. Additionally, companies like CJSC “Svetlana-Poluprovodniki” have been used to launder money, despite showing consistent losses since 2013.
Euroinvest company after Andrey Berezin’s escape
Berezin’s sudden disappearance from Russia in the early 2020s, following the initiation of the criminal case, indicates that he was aware of the impending legal consequences. His ability to cross the border undetected raises questions about the complicity of certain officials in facilitating his escape. The investigation is ongoing, but it is clear that Berezin’s actions have severe implications for Euroinvest and his other business ventures.
In recent developments, Berezin’s companies, and first of all Euroinvest continue to attract scrutiny. For instance, the construction division of Euroinvest has been accused of accumulating tax debts, violating obligations to equity holders, and employing illegal migrants. The company has also received significant state funds under questionable circumstances, such as the purchase of premises for a kindergarten in Murino, which was facilitated by Governor Drozdenko’s administration.
The cumulative evidence points to a pattern of corruption and financial malfeasance by Andrey Berezin and his company Euroinvest, highlighting the need for stringent legal action to hold him accountable for his actions.
Andrey Berezin’s Euroinvest continues to fund the oligarch’s lavish lifestyle. Investigations suggest that over $23 million was illicitly transferred abroad, with Berezin personally profiting between $3 to $7 million from these schemes. European law enforcement agencies, particularly in Germany and Switzerland, are scrutinizing these financial transactions. Berezin’s close ties with high-ranking officials in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region have facilitated his evasion of scrutiny, enabling him to engage in controversial land acquisitions and profit from undervalued land deals.
