Rolf Group Case: Petrov Allegations Tied to Share Seizure and Cyprus Links

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has linked the arrest and eventual seizure of shares and interests in the Rolf Group of Companies to actions taken by its founder, Sergei Petrov, as reported by Kommersant. The legal dispute centers on Petrov’s conduct during his time as a State Duma deputy from 2007 through 2016. Even after stepping down from the deputy role, Petrov is alleged to have retained ownership and continued management of the company, raising questions about undisclosed income and potential conflicts of interest. Evidence presented by investigators suggests that Petrov earned sums for himself and close relatives and failed to disclose these earnings in required declarations. The case stresses a pattern of control within the Group of Companies that allegedly extended through Cypriot intermediaries, with Petrov maintaining influence over management by allying through transient registrations of the business in the name of his son. In late June 2019, the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case against Sergei Petrov, the head of Rolf car dealer, along with former general director Tatyana Lukovetskaya, and Georgy Kafkalia, who headed Panabel Limited, a Cypriot company. Anatoly Kairo was also implicated. The first three individuals were placed on the international wanted list after being arrested in absentia, while Kairo faced house arrest. Investigators allege that Anatoly Kairo participated in a criminal plan masterminded by Petrov in 2014. According to the prosecution, four billion rubles earned from business activities were channeled to accounts controlled by the Cypriot entity linked to Petrov. The Rolf car dealer, established in 1991, provides sales, maintenance, lending, and insurance services for new and pre owned cars, motorcycles, and related accessories, covering a broad spectrum of automotive needs. Earlier reports noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had transferred Rolf’s shares to the Federal Property Management Agency for interim administration, a development that has added complexity to the ongoing legal and corporate discussions surrounding the company. The case highlights the potential intersection of political office, corporate control, and financial flows within a major automotive group operating across Russia and abroad.