By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A RUSSIAN businessman once accused of embezzling millions from a state oil giant and dodging extradition to Moscow is seeking to become a Bahamian.

A public notice in The Tribune yesterday revealed that Andrey Votinov is seeking Bahamian citizenship.

Dozens of Facebook users pointed out that the name, photo, and backstory closely resemble that of a former Rosneft vice president wanted in Russia for financial crimes. Media reports from Russia and the UK show images that match the one featured in the April 23rd citizenship notice.

The man Russian authorities want was accused in 2016 of masterminding a shady land sublease scheme that siphoned more than $1.7 million from the Tuapse Oil Refinery — a Rosneft subsidiary — into entities he allegedly controlled. Prosecutors said the plan involved bogus construction projects and shell companies.

Votinov was placed on an international wanted list. But in 2018, a UK court blocked his extradition, warning he might face politically motivated prosecution and a “flagrant denial of justice” if sent back to Russia.

Now, it appears he may be eyeing a new passport — ours.

Immigration Minister Alfred Sears did not respond to The Tribune’s questions about the matter yesterday. Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell brushed off inquiries, citing the standard 28-day public notice period for citizenship applicants.