The assets seized included real estate properties and shares in companies that were acquired by reinvesting illicit profits, according to the same sources.

The businessman is under investigation for alleged crimes committed in Ukraine including corruption of public officials, a fraud worth 60 million euros, and money laundering.

The man is believed to have bought, through a Florence-based trust company, a large and luxurious real estate complex in the Tuscan city, among other things.

In particular, the assets seized included three million euros in business shares and four real estate properties for a value of nearly 38 million euros, investigative sources said.

ANSA