Russian national, owner of Spanish soccer team, detained in Spain over ties with Russian mafia
Russian businessman Alexander Grinberg, as well as nine persons connected with him were detained in the Spanish resort town of Marbella as well as in neighboring Mijas.
The representative of the Spanish Civil Guard (Gendarmerie) reported to DW (Deutsche Welle) on Tuesday, September 26th that the detainees are suspected of laundering money from the "Russian mafia," in particular, the Moscow organized crime group (OCG) Solntsevskaya, as well as the creation of a "criminal community" in Spain. Approximately 50 guards took part in the operation, during which searches of apartments and offices were conducted.
Alexander Grinberg is one of the most famous representatives of the Russian diaspora in Spain. He has been living in Marbella since 2008 in a prestigious resort town in the south of the country. He owns the Terminal Group, a construction firm, as well as restaurants and entertainment companies. In particular, Greenberg owns one of the most expensive restaurants in Marbella, Finca Besaya, the golf club, Dama de Noche and other facilities.
Five years ago, a Russian bought the Marbella Football Club, which was facing bankruptcy, and since then he has been its President. This club plays in the third tier of the Spanish soccer league. In addition, Alexander Grinberg has invested large sums in the modernization of the club’s stadium.
The Spanish media has not once reported about the noisy evening festivities that Grinberg arranged on the occasion of his birthdays and other events, inviting singers from Russia. The same press published an interview with the entrepreneur about his plans to bring the soccer team to a higher league, as well as the desire to continue investing in Marbella, in particular, in the creation of a sports town, including a training center for top-level players.