Last year they bought the Helsinki Arena and a major stake in the Jokerit ice hockey team, which to join the Russian-based KHL next year.
On Thursday evening Finnish time, President Barack Obama announced the release of a list of 16 Russian government officials and four members of the Russian leadership’s inner circle.
The latter – including Timchenkoand the Rotenbergs – are accused of “acting for or on behalf of or materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of” senior government officials.
Putin's judo coach
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control lists Timchenko as a 61-year-old Armenian-born Finn with “alternate” Russian and Armenian nationality, who lives in Switzerland. Less information is provided about the Rotenbergs, who are Russian citizens of around the same age. Boris Rotenberg also holds Finnish citizenship.
The moguls own 49 percent of Jokerit, which was one of Finland’s most successful and popular teams.
Timchenko owns International Petroleum Products (IPP), which exports oil from Russia via Finland. Forbes Magazine estimates his wealth at more than 10 billion and ranks him 61st among the world’s richest people.
All three are considered to be members of Putin’s inner circle, with Boris Rotenberg once serving as his judo coach.