Russian billionaire and businessman German Sterligov (Source: Armenpress)

BAKU (Combined Sources)—A criminal case has been launched against Russian billionaire German Sterligov for his visit to Nagorno-Karabakh, said a joint statement from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office on July 22, Azeri media report.

German Sterligov is accused of making “public anti-state calls” and “illegally crossing the Azerbaijani border.”

Baku also blames the Russian businessman for supporting the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh through his posts on the social network VKontakte. “He was engaged in illegal business activities and involved his family members,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, Russian media reported that German Sterligov had left Russia for Nagorno-Karabakh. During a press conference held in the city of Shushi, Sterligov revealed that his decision to move to Artskah came after he received repeated threats in Russia, specifically for his alleged activity with the Combat Organization of Russian Nationalists (BORN), a Russian ultranationalist gang, which he denies.

Sterligov intends to start an eco-friendly food production business in Artsakh with his family. His wife, Alyona Sterligova, has already opened a fashion house in Shushi, and they plan to also replicate their famous “slodoba”—a Russian agricultural community—in Artsakh.

Azerbaijan was quick to denounce Sterligov’s move to Artsakh, placing him on their infamous black list of individuals who visit the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.