According to the SonntagsBlick newspaper, some members of Graubünden’s government are determined to defend the multi-billionaire’s five-year residency permit.
But the State Secretariat for Migration is apparently opposed to the idea and would be happy for the oligarch to leave. Migration officials argue that Melnichenko spends too much time outside of Switzerland to deserve a permit.
The case may have to be decided by the Federal Administrative Court, according to the article.
The newspaper says Melnichenko has lived with his family at a luxury home in the glitzy St Moritz ski resort since 2009.
Swiss cantons often compete to attract wealthy foreigners by offering them special tax rates.
His company Eurochem, based in canton Zug, is one of the world’s leading fertiliser producers.
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Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
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Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
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