Burglars steal fur coats at Russian billionaire's Alpine chalet

Prokhorov (above, in a 2012 file photo) is estimated by Forbes to have a US$8.8 billion (S$12 billion) fortune. PHOTO: AFP

GRENOBLE, France (AFP) - At least two burglars made off with fur coats worth around €100,000 (S$150,000) from Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov's chalet in the French Alps last weekend, prosecutors said on Friday (March 24).

The break-in at the exclusive Courchevel 1850 ski resort took place overnight on March 18, the prosecutors from nearby Albertville said.

One employee was at the chalet at the time, they said, adding that security cameras filmed two intruders but revealed no significant features to aid in tracing them.

The burglars stole €8,000 in cash in addition to the fur coats, for which investigators have requested the receipts.

Prokhorov, whose fortune is estimated at US$8.8 billion by Forbes magazine, is chief executive of Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium.

One of Russia's richest men and the owner of the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, he ran for president in 2012, garnering 8 per cent of the vote.

In 2007, he was arrested in Courchevel over suspicions of arranging prostitutes for his guests at a Christmas party, but he was released without charge.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.