Attack on Russian TV presenter Solovyov’s villa in Loveno di Menaggio (located on Lake Como in the town of Menaggio) dead On the morning of April 6th. While passers-by reported the fire, firefighters extinguished the fire in a short time.
“The investigation of the Carabinieri (one of the types of Italian police -” socialbites.ca “) is ongoing, but we can already say that the vandals did not cause serious damage, said Menaggio Mayor Michele Spagiari.
According to ANSA, we are not talking about a large-scale fire. Unidentified persons set fire to several car tires near the building. The police are reviewing the security footage and also talking to Solovyov to find out if he has received any threats.
The attack on Solovyov’s villa could have been a form of protest, as Spaggiari suggested. “In principle, it could have been a demonstrative act, fortunately without serious consequences,” he said.
According to the mayor, now the villa is empty, no one lives in it. Italian authorities arrested him in early March. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio explained that the authorities had begun to confiscate the properties of “Russian oligarchs” because it was “the only way to persuade”. [президента России Владимира Путина] behave yourself.”
The TV presenter’s second Italian home in Pianello del Lario, also in Como, was also affected. Unknown people painted it with inscriptions against Solovyov and the Russian special operation. This villa was also arrested by the Italian authorities.
Solovyov did not comment on the situation on the Telegram channel.
According to ANSA, authorities confiscated only three of Solovyov’s villas in Como, with the third “luxury house” in Griante.
Earlier, the newspaper La Repubblica wrote that the Italian authorities arrested only two of the journalist’s villas in Como, with a total value of 8 million euros. The Italian Financial Guard confirmed that Solovyov lost an estimated 8 euros worth of property in Lake Como. million.
Solovyov confirmed that he owns at least one villa in Como. He explained that he bought it because it was cheaper than the real estate in Rublyovka.
He said he was looking for a place where he could take his extended family without major losses for the budget.
“If you want to buy elsewhere, I will buy elsewhere. I pay taxes, funds allow. I earn a lot, ”said the TV presenter.
He also stated that he had not burgled “since Soviet times”, but was not ashamed of his villa as he made money himself. According to Solovyov, he did not hide his income from anyone, did not boast, and in general “always very clearly observed this line.”
“I bought a house in Italy at my own expense. It has nothing to do with civil servants. I make money, I pay taxes. My programs bring money to the channel – advertising is expensive there because the rating is high. I have other jobs too,” said the journalist.
Solovyov also stated that he did not see any connection between patriotism and property ownership abroad. “Patriotism is not a written commitment not to part,” the presenter said.
Following the news of Villas’ arrest, Solovyov announced that his lawyers would look into the matter. “Now the situation is such that it does not depend on it,” he said.
The European Union imposed sanctions on Solovyov on February 24. In the motivational section, the EU stated that the journalist was “known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine” and “responsible for supporting actions and policies that undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence”.
In March, Canada and Britain joined the sanctions against Solovyov. In this case, money and assets, if any, are frozen. On March 14, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) of Ukraine announced that Soloviev had been added to the international wanted list. “Public calls by Ukraine to change the state border” were suspected.