Italian police seize €141M from Putin's architect including 143 artworks

On August 3, 2022, Italian financial authorities, known as Guardia di Finanza, executed a seizure of €141 million from architect Lanfranco Cirillo, often referred to as "Putin's architect," following a directive from judge Alessandra Sabatucci. This confiscation encompasses 143 pieces of art, luxury villas, bank accounts, helicopters, a yacht, cars, motorcycles, agricultural properties, jewelry, bags, and more than €670,000 in cash. The inquiry commenced after customs duties were found unpaid on a helicopter registered in Russia, highlighting discrepancies between Cirillo's reported income and his lavish lifestyle. Since February 2022, he has faced investigations for smuggling, false declarations, money laundering, and asset transfers. Cirillo, a Russian citizen since 2014, has served various oligarchs and claims to live in Dubai, though Italy remains his primary focus.