The Security Service does not find any violations of sanctions in connection with the sale of Aven and Scheffler’s helicopter

Scheffler, on the other hand, testified that Aven was not personally involved in the helicopter purchase transaction, but that there was an agreement with Aven’s ex-wife.

Scheffler also testified that he did not discuss the redistribution or transfer of the funds obtained as a result of the helicopter auction to Aven. Scheffler allegedly instructed his lawyers alone to legally recover the funds invested in “Country Heli”.

At the end of 2022, the authorized persons of both companies signed a reconciliation deed, in which they recognized the debt obligations of “Country Heli” to “Čiekuri-Shishki” in the amount of 3.6 million, and in January 2023, “Čiekuri-Shishki” filed a lawsuit in court for debt collection. The court satisfied the claim and a writ of execution issued by the court for the recovery of this amount was submitted to the bailiff.

After evaluating the testimonies, content of documents and other information provided during the investigation, the VDD has concluded that the May 2015 loan agreement of “Čiekuri-Shishki” and its amendments are not fictitious.

Although the investigation revealed that Avens and his authorized persons were interested in the possibility of recovering funds that were once invested in the purchase of a helicopter, however, VDD did not receive confirmation that there was an agreement between the authorized persons of “Country Heli” and “Čiekuri-Shishki” and Avenus regarding the auction transfer of acquired funds to or for Aven.

Taking into account the above, the VDD terminated the criminal proceedings, as there is no composition of a criminal offense. Also, VDD canceled the seizure of funds belonging to “Country Heli” in the amount of 2.9 million.

It has already been reported that in the EU sanctions list, Aven is named as one of the oligarchs closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who actively provided material or financial support to Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilization of Ukraine, and benefited from them. He promised to challenge these accusations in court.