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– Last updated December 17,2025,23:40:33 UTC
Seizure of Hanko Villa
Finnish authorities have seized a seaside villa in Hanko owned by Boris Rotenberg,a Russian billionaire sanctioned by the European Union,due to unpaid property taxes totaling several thousand euros,Yle reported on May 8, 2024. Rotenberg, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has faced difficulties transferring funds to Finnish bank accounts as sanctions were imposed.
This is not the first instance of Rotenberg’s Finnish properties facing financial repercussions. Previously, a commercial property in Helsinki owned by a rotenberg company was subject to similar action over unpaid utility bills exceeding 27,000 euros, according to Yle.
Debt Resolution and Current Status
Mikko Mantere, Rotenberg’s lawyer, informed Yle that the debt related to the Helsinki property was fully settled, leading to the lifting of the seizure. He indicated that the situation concerning the Hanko villa is “under review” and anticipates the restrictions will be removed. However, as of the beginning of this week (May 6, 2024, based on the article’s publication date), the seizure of the Hanko villa remained in effect.
Sanctions and Asset Freezes
Rotenberg’s assets in Finland were frozen in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and he was subsequently added to the European Union’s sanctions list. An asset freeze prevents the sale, mortgaging, or other disposal of property, while a seizure allows authorities to sell the property and use the proceeds to cover outstanding debts.
Background on Boris Rotenberg
Boris Rotenberg moved to Finland in 1991 wiht his then-wife before returning to St. Petersburg in 1998.He obtained Finnish citizenship in the early 2000s. Yle reported in 2023 that his citizenship acquisition may not have received approval from Finland’s security intelligence service.
As of April 2025, Forbes placed Rotenberg’s net worth at $1.3 billion.
