Sanctions Ministry of Foreign Affairs admits to helping Långvik Spa, established by oligarchs, with sanctions

State Department confirms that it has drawn up a document by which the new owner of Långvik Spa has assured that it has severed its problematic links with sanctioned oligarchs.

HS said on Wednesday about the missing owners of the spa property.

In 2014–2015, business ownership arrangements were made at the Långvik Spa in Kirkkonummi.

After being on the US Crimean sanctions list oligarch brothers Boris Rotenberg and Arkadi Rotenberg sold the spa business to Boris Rotenberg’s son To Roman Rotenberg.

The following year, the United States felt Roman Rotenberg had helped his father and uncle circumvent sanctions. He was also placed on the sanctions list.

Roman Rotenberg then transferred the spa business to Ryokan oy, almost half of which is owned by his father Boris Rotenbergin long-term business partner Auvo Niiniketo. Another major owner of the Ryokan is Martti Ahtowhich has also handled Rotenberg ‘s business in Finland.

Ryokan submitted by on Tuesday, a document to HS that it says it received from the State Department to ensure the sustainability of its operations after the transaction.

The document, which features the ministry’s logo, explains issues related to the spa’s business acquisition and describes the buyers of the business.

The document also reiterates U.S. demands for sanctions. The text states, among other things, that a sale of property is considered genuine if the buyer does not act on behalf of the seller on the sanctions list.

However, a document prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not mention that the main owners of Ryokan have been long-term partners of the Rotenbergs.

Niiniketo has known Boris Rotenberg for decades and has served on the board of this Riminex company since 2001. The co-operation has continued even after the 2015 arrangements.

The Foreign Ministry document concludes that there will be no money moving between Ryokan and the property owner for three years. The business was sold to Ryokan for EUR and ownership of the property remained with Rotenberg.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief Justice Kaija Suvanto confirms to HS that the document provided by Ryokan to HS is authentic. Similar paper is kept in the ministry’s safe.

“The company itself was in contact with the ministry at the time and asked if the ministry could facilitate the discussions,” Suvanto says.

He stresses that the ministry has not “taken a stand on anything” because it cannot “promise anything” about U.S. sanctions.

“We cannot give any permits or blessings.”

Suvannon according to, facilitation means holding meetings at the ministry’s premises and passing information to the U.S. authorities. The meeting was attended by the people of the US Embassy.

In what way has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself clarified the background of Ryokan? Did it emerge at the time that ownership was transferred forward in the small district?

“We haven’t figured out the background to Ryokan. We only provided the information that the United States apparently requested. The United States mirrored the responses against its own sanctions rules. ”

However, it is a Foreign Ministry document with its logo. According to Suvanto, it was not even the task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out the company’s background.

The Foreign Ministry document is not signed. Who drafted it?

“I do not know. It must have been drawn up by the State Department. Various departments and individuals have attended those meetings. ”

Suvanto emphasizes that the ministry would not have even released the document to the public. According to him, similar “facilitations” have been made. The amount is not known to Suvanto, and the ministry said it could not provide information about private companies externally.

“There have been some facilitation requests since 2014 and some have been made.”