Footage captured Wednesday shows the police station in Nice where Russian billionaire and Senator Suleiman Kerimov is reportedly being held, after he was detained in France in a tax evasion investigation.
Russian diplomats are now searching for options for his release.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian government has informed Paris that Kerimov has diplomatic immunity due to his diplomatic passport and his position within the country’s Federation Council.
There are reports that Kerimov was travelling on a private passport rather than his diplomatic passport.
The senator reportedly denies all allegations of his involvement in illegal schemes.
Suleiman Kerimov has represented the Republic of Dagestan in the Federation Council of Russia since 2008. Being amongst the richest of Russia’s citizens, his estimated net worth is over six billion dollars (five billion euros).