MOSCOW, March 4 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court on Wednesday upheld arrest of two sons of businessman Boris Mints, Dmitry and Alexander, in absentia as part of a bond transaction embezzlement case, the court’s press service told RAPSI.

Mints and his sons live in the UK and are involved in the damage recovery proceedings initiated by the Financial Corporation Otkritie and Bank Trust against the businessmen in the High Court of Justice.

The case against the businessman and two his sons was opened in Russia in September 2019. In December, they were put on a wanted list. They are charged with large-scale embezzlement.

Investigators claim that the accused men controlled a disputable deal on the retirement by the Financial Corporation Otkritie of O1 Group Finance 34 billion-ruble bonds two weeks prior to financial restructuring of the bank ordered by the Central Bank and appointment of temporary administration.

The defendants live in the United Kingdom.

Boris Mints is a founder of O1 Group company, former co-owner of the bank Otkritie and founder of the Museum of Russian Impressionism. His fortune has been estimated at more than $1 billion.

“The charges that have purportedly been brought in Russia against Mr Mints and his sons, Alexander and Dmitry are utterly baseless, suspiciously-timed, and they dispute them in full. The charges are plainly intended to intimidate Mr Mints, his family and other witnesses to withdraw their claims made in against Bank Otkritie and form part of an ongoing campaign by their opponents in Russia. Mr Mints will continue to pursue his own counterclaims in this case, and along with Alexander and Dmitry defeat the baseless allegations now made against them both in Russia and the UK,” a spokesperson for Mints said.