Deutsche Bank's offices raided, reportedly over allegations tied to Roman Abramovich

By Steve Goldstein

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is tied to money-laundering allegations.

Germany's federal criminal police office on Wednesday carried out a raid on the country's largest bank, Deutsche Bank, reportedly on money-laundering allegations tied to Russian magnate Roman Abramovich.

Deutsche Bank confirmed it was a target of a raid and said it is fully cooperating with authorities.

Spiegel, which first reported the raid carried out by the Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA, said the probe was tied to Abramovich, who used to own the London soccer club Chelsea FC.

The Spiegel report said the public prosecutor was looking into how as-yet-unknown Deutsche Bank officials maintained business relationships with foreign companies suspected of money laundering.

The raid included both Deutsche Bank's Frankfurt headquarters and a branch in Berlin.

Abramovich has been sanctioned by the European Union and the U.K. over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last month, the U.K. issued a license allowing the transfer of GBP2.5 billion ($3.5 billion) to benefit Ukraine from Abramovich's frozen account.

Deutsche Bank shares (XE:DBK) (DB) fell 4% in Frankfurt trade.

-Steve Goldstein

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01-28-26 0827ET