Peskov commented on Friedman’s return to Russia

The founder of Alfa Group, Mikhail Fridman, is a citizen of Russia, he can return to the country and live in it. This was stated by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the businessman’s return to Moscow.

“Fridman is a citizen of the Russian Federation. He can return, live here, leave here, like any other citizen of the Russian Federation. There is nothing unusual,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

October 9 Friedman confirmed information about moving to Israel, but now he is in Moscow “due to the current situation.” “When everything calms down, I plan to return to Israel and live there permanently,” he said, presumably referring to the fighting between Hamas and the Israeli army.

Alfa Group also told RBCthat Friedman is now in Moscow and plans to visit Russia regularly.

In mid-September, the UK tightened sanctions against Friedman by introducing transport restrictions. They concern ships and aircraft associated with the businessman. They are prohibited from entering the kingdom’s ports and airports or registering in the country’s ship or aviation registries. The sanctions provide for the possibility of detaining such transport, and also prohibit the provision of any technical assistance to them.

After the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine and subsequent sanctions from Western countries, Fridman left the supervisory board Alfa Bank. The same decision was then made by the co-founder of the group, Peter Aven.