Igor Kesaev
{{short description|Russian billionaire retail businessman (born 1966)}}
{{Expand Russian|topic=bio|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Igor Kesaev
| image =
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| native_name = {{nobold|Игорь Альбертович Кесаев}}
| native_name_lang = ru
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|30 October 1966}}
| birth_place = Ordzhonikidze, North Ossetian ASSR, Soviet Russia, USSR
| citizenship = Russian, Cypriot (2012–2024){{Cite web | url = https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/06/27/council-of-ministers-retracts-two-more-golden-passports/ | title = Council of ministers retracts two more 'golden passports' | date = 27 June 2024 | publisher=Cyprus Mail| accessdate = 29 June 2024 | lang = en }}
| education = Moscow State Institute of International Relations
| alma_mater =
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| children = 3
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| website =
}}
Igor Albertovich Kesaev ({{Langx|ru|Игорь Альбертович Кесаев}}; born 30 October 1966){{cite web |url=http://www.wealthx.com/articles/2015/igor-albertovich-kesaev/ |title=Billionaires: Igor Albertovich KESAEV |publisher=Wealth-X |accessdate=1 January 2017 |archive-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165335/http://www.wealthx.com/articles/2015/igor-albertovich-kesaev/ |url-status=dead }} is a Russian billionaire retail businessman. He is known as the owner and president of the Mercury Group ({{Langx|ru|Меркурий}}), which owns Megapolis Group, the leading tobacco distributor in Russia. He is also an owner of weapon manufacturers and retail store chains.
Kesaev has purported links with the Russian government and security forces such as the FSB and GRU.
Net worth
On the Forbes 2022 list of the world's billionaires, he was ranked #1196 with a net worth of US$2.6 billion.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/igor-kesaev/?list=billionaires |title=The World's Billionaires (2016 ranking): #722 Igor Kesaev |date=1 March 2016 |work=Forbes | accessdate=1 January 2017}}
File:Mercury City Tower 2022.jpg in Moscow, owned by the Mercury Group.]]
Personal life
Kesaev was born in the North Ossetian city of Ordzhonikidze (now known as Vladikavkaz / Dzaudzhikau). Kesaevs (ХЪЕСАТÆ) are a traditionally influential Ossetian family from Zakka Gorge.{{Cite web |last=Kirimiti |date=2016-03-10 |title=КЕСАЕВЫ |url=https://oss.kirimiti.ru/%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%8B/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Энциклопедия фамильных преданий Осетин — oss.kirimiti.ru |language=ru-RU}} Kesaev received a bachelor's degree from the Moscow Institute of International Relations.
= Sanctions =
Kesaev was sanctioned by Canada under the Special Economic Measures Act (S.C. 1992, c. 17) in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine for Grave Breach of International Peace and Security.{{cite web |title=Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58) |url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2014-58/page-4.html#docCont |access-date=24 June 2023}} The European Union and the United Kingdom also sanctioned him in 2022 in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War. The EU cited his close links and economic ties to state security and military personnel through his various business holdings.{{Cite web |title=EU Council Regulation № 269/2014: concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02014R0269-20230607&qid=1688678841370 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=EUR-Lex (EU law gazette)}}{{Citation |title=EU Council Regulation № 269/2014: concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine |date=2023-06-07 |url=http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/269/2023-06-07/eng |access-date=2023-07-06 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1150217/Russia.pdf |access-date=16 April 2023}}
The United States sanctioned Kesaev in May 2023.{{cite web |title=United States Imposes Additional Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia in Coordination with International Partners |url=https://www.state.gov/united-states-imposes-additional-sanctions-and-export-controls-on-russia/ |date=19 May 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-20 |title=Russian Tobacco Mogul Sanctioned |url=https://tobaccoreporter.com/2023/05/20/russian-tobacco-mogul-sanctioned/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Tobacco Reporter |language=en-US}}
On 27 June 2024 the Council of Ministers of Cyprus retracted Kesaev's passport. Kesaev was naturalized as a citizen of Cyprus on 25 May 2012 during the presidency of Demetris Christofias.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kesaev, Igor}}
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Russian emigrants to Cyprus
Category:Russian individuals subject to U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions
Category:Russian individuals subject to United Kingdom sanctions
Category:People from Vladikavkaz
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