French and Riviera News Tuesday 31st October 2023

News

Russian oligarch placed in police custody - A Russian oligarch considered to have close ties with Vladimir Putin has been placed in police custody in France. The home of Alexeï Kuzmitchev, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, as well as a second home in Saint-Tropez in the Var, were searched on Monday by investigators from the Central Office for the Fight against Financial and Tax Offenses (OCLCIFF). During the searches, wads of cash were found. Kuzmichev is suspected of tax crimes and violation of sanctions, suspected of laundering several tens of millions of euros.

So who is Alexei Kuzmitchev? 61-year-old Kuzmitchev, is one of the founders of the “Alfa group” consortium. His fortune is estimated by Forbes magazine at more than 6 billion euros, making him one of the 400 richest men in the world. The European Union considers him "one of the most influential people in Russia", who has established links with the president.  In 2022, two of his yachts were immobilized by customs on the Côte d'Azur, before the Russian businessman obtained the annulment from the courts.

France to reduce the use of pesticides - By 2030 France wants to reduce the use of pesticides by half. The French Prime Minister is expected to present the new strategy to achieve this which would be in addition to the 250 million euros already provided in the 2024 finance bill. The “Nodu” indicator, or number of unit doses which takes into account the quantities of pesticides sold and the surfaces treated, we