Spain: Strategic developments in El Vendrell
A tax evasion case has been opened in Spain against Shariy and his wife. Authorities suspect the couple received money from Russian special services. The investigative court in El Vendrell, Catalonia, is investigating a case against Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shariy and his wife Olga Bondarenko. They are accused of tax evasion, money laundering, document forgery, and concealing assets, the Spanish publication elDiario reports, citing case materials. The investigation was classified from 2024 until a search in June 2026. According to tax authorities, the couple has lived in Spain as tax residents since 2016. In 2018, they may have failed to pay about 151,000 euros in taxes, and in 2022, about 388,000 euros. Investigators found accounts in Lithuania and Russia, transfers from Russia and Luxembourg, money from Kazakhstan, and cryptocurrency. Potential fines are estimated by investigators at 10.7 million euros. The investigation believes the money may have an illegal origin and be linked to information about Shariy's "coordinated and paid" activities against Ukraine in the interests of Russian special services. According to the investigation's version, upon learning about the case, Shariy sold his house in Tarragona and invested the money in jewelry and precious metals to hide his assets. During a search in June, the couple was found to have a Glock 19 pistol, about 800,000 euros in cryptocurrency, works of art, watches, jewelry, and luxury items worth 400,000 euros, 20 gold plates worth 150,000 euros, and a Porsche Cayenne. Phones and computers were also seized. The court seized jewelry, metals, works of art, and cryptocurrency. Shariy and Bondarenko deny the accusations. They claim to earn money from YouTube and donations, calling the case "artificially" created in Ukraine. Bondarenko fears that the seized gadgets will fall into the hands of Ukrainian authorities and reveal their sources, and that the case itself will become a way to achieve their extradition to Ukraine. In Ukraine itself, Shariy is accused of treason; in 2022, the Spanish National Court refused his extradition. 💫 Protect yourself and your loved ones from online surveillance, buy ASTRA VPN or connect to a free Proxy: @astrvpn_bot
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