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Russian police this week raided the offices of a Saint Petersburg ballet and opera theatre in order to search the office of general director Vladimir Kekhman, founder of fresh produce importer JFC Group, which filed for bankruptcy last February, Expatica.ru has reported.

According to Russia's interior ministry, JFC's management and owners received large loans from several banks but, 'not intending to carry out the loan obligations, went to court in February 2012 to declare the company bankrupt, causing losses to lenders of more than Rbs10bn (€248.7m)'.

It also told news agency Interfax that it had evidence that JFC's leaders had falsified contracts with fictitious businesses between 2010 and 2012 to obtain large loans.

Kekhman commented: 'I completely support all the investigators' activity and have an interest in their effectiveness,' before describing himself as 'outraged' by the abuses committed at the company.