Filenews 4 June 2022 - by Fanis Makridis
A serious issue of national security with the scent of Cyprus was recently raised in the sphere of public debate in Italy. According to information that has come to light in the Mediterranean country, the political airport of Grossetto, which is located within a military base, is controlled by Russian interests. This seems to have been achieved through a business entity registered with the Registrar of Companies of Cyprus.
All the above mentioned data are presented by the journalistic team of the TV show of PAI3, "Report". This show raises questions about the country's safety, since the airport of Grossetto, controlled by a well-known Russian oligarch, is operated by a civil company, while its air routes are used by the Italian air force. As the journalist Giulio Valesini characteristically mentions, "from the airport of Grossetto military eurofighters take off for reconnaissance in order to defend our airspace".
As we noted, the route of journalistic research leads to Cyprus and specifically to a company, which has declared as its registered office a well-known building in the centr of Nicosia. Where the journalists of the Italian state television were also found. We present the data in the chronological order presented in the relevant reportage:
• The civilian airport, which appears to be adjacent to a military base, belongs to SEAM, a semi-public company.
• The private company Ilca owns 35% of SEAM's shares. This is the largest shareholding, which makes Ilca officials able to control the decisions of SEAM's board of directors.
• In turn, Ilca seems to be controlled by the AEON of the well-known Russian billionaire Roman Trochenko.
• The shares of AEON, however, belong to the Cypriot PLUTOWORLD LIMITED, which is headed by a Cypriot national originating from Armenia. It should also be noted that the company registered in Cyprus is based in the centre of Nicosia, in a well-known building where corporate giants are also registered.
• Finally, the Italians say that after their investigation they concluded that "the shares of Grossetto airport are not in the name of Roman Trochenko, but of his wife Sophia, who deals with art and museums".
The report of the Italian journalists presents their visit to the office facilities of Plutoworld, but also their effort to receive answers from an official of the company. The latter politely refused, saying he had no authorization.
After all, Roman Trochenko is said to control 14 airports in important Russian areas. His fortune is estimated at two billion euros. In 2018 he was included in a U.S. sanctions list.
