Maria Irina villa - formerly Villa del Mare - is one of the most luxurious villas in the French Riviera region. The villa suspected of being involved in Russia's Gazprom is estimated to be worth about 120 million euros ($130 million), with a swimming pool, tennis court and helicopter terminal.
The 3ha plot of land belongs to Russian tycoon of Armenia origin Samvel Karapetyan. He bought Maria Irina in 2010.
Karapetyan is the head of Tashir Group - a leading group in the commercial real estate development market in Russia.
However, according to Le Monde, French prosecutors believe that real estate businessman Karapetyan bought the villa on behalf of Gazprom.
According to documents analyzed by Le Monde, Tashir's owner bought a stake in Maritime Villa Holding SNC - owner of Maria Irina - from Gazprom Neft, thanks to a $124 million loan provided by Gazprombank.
There is evidence that consecutive villa acquisition plots have been carried out under the names of various companies, with their indirect ownership making Gazprom a real beneficiary, the Paris prosecutors office stressed.
Le Monde reported that this was the largest seizure by France since the West began sanctions against Russia following the conflict in Ukraine.
The assets of the wealthy Russian people, including dozens of super yachts, have been seized around the world under Western sanctions.
