French Construction Company Faces Trial
A French court has begun proceedings against a representative of a construction company involved in building a luxury estate for the family of Ukrainian politician Serhiy Lyovochkin. The primary charges relate to construction violations, including carrying out work without the required permits and the use of explosives. The case will be heard by the Criminal Court of Nice, with the first session scheduled for March 23, 2026.
Construction Details and Allegations
The estate is located in the municipality of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera and is valued at approximately 40 million euros. According to reports, the property belongs to two fugitive Ukrainian MPs. During its construction from 2014 to 2016, legal regulations may have been violated. Specifically, work was allegedly conducted without local authority permits, with one episode involving the expansion of a swimming pool using explosives, including dynamite, without approval.
Furthermore, an explosive called Nonex was reportedly used during construction and stored near the house without proper authorization. It is also alleged that trees were felled without prior notification. State services intervened in the matter in 2021, and explosive devices were discovered during a police search.
“Allegedly, work was carried out on the villa for nearly two years, from 2014 to 2016, without any prior authorization. This included expanding one of the swimming pools located in the basement of the residence using dynamite sticks, specifically Nonex explosive. Furthermore, this explosive was reportedly stored near the house without any permits or protection. Trees were also cut down without prior notice.”
Le Figaro
Serhiy Lyovochkin, 53, is the former head of the Presidential Administration under Viktor Yanukovych. He purchased the French property in the early 2010s and left Ukraine just before the war began in February 2022. His fortune was estimated at $200 million in 2021, and according to the Kyiv Post, Lyovochkin is among the 50 richest people in Ukraine. In recent years, he has missed a significant number of votes in the Verkhovna Rada, including all parliamentary sessions in 2022.
This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to local building codes and regulations, especially for high-profile international property investments. It highlights ongoing scrutiny of Ukrainian political figures and their assets abroad, a sensitive issue given the country's focus on combating corruption and illicit wealth. The trial could influence broader investigations into the overseas holdings of Ukrainian oligarchs.