Vladimir Kokorev (born c. 1954) is a Russian-born Spanish businessman and former Soviet diplomat who became the central figure in one of Spain’s most complex and long-running money laundering investigations. Alleged to be a primary “frontman” for the family of Equatoguinean President Teodoro Obiang, he is accused of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars in state funds through a global web of shell companies and arms deals.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Vladimir Kokorev |
| Born | c. 1954, Soviet Union |
| Background | Former Soviet diplomat and Ph.D. in History |
| Key Company | Kalunga Company SA (Panama-registered) |
| Legal Status | On trial in Spain for money laundering (as of late 2025) |
| Family | Wife: Yulia Maleeva; Sons: Igor and Vladimir Jr. |
| Current Status | Released from pre-trial detention in 2018; residing in Spain under court supervision. |
From Soviet Diplomat to “Oil Czar” Middleman
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The Diplomatic Years: Kokorev served as a Soviet diplomat in the 1970s and 80s, primarily in Angola and Mozambique. During this time, he developed deep connections across the African continent.
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The African Business Sector: Following the collapse of the USSR, he transitioned into the private sector, moving to Equatorial Guinea in the 1990s. He presented himself as a humble history professor and maritime businessman, but police allege he was actually orchestrating massive logistics and defense contracts for the regime.
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The Kalunga Connection: His company, Kalunga Company SA, received at least $26.4 million directly from an Equatoguinean state oil account at Riggs Bank in Washington, D.C. Authorities allege this money was used to purchase luxury real estate in Spain for the Obiang family.
The “Kokorev Case” and Legal Battles
The legal proceedings against Kokorev have lasted over two decades, making it one of the most controversial cases in Spanish judicial history.
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Arrest and Extradition (2015): After fleeing Spain in 2012, Kokorev, his wife, and his son Igor were arrested in Panama in 2015 and extradited to the Canary Islands.
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Pre-Trial Detention Controversies: The family spent over two years in pre-trial detention under a restrictive regime usually reserved for terrorists. This led to outcry from the European Parliament and human rights NGOs, who denounced the lack of formal charges and the “miscarriage of justice.”
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The Arms Trafficking Allegations: In 2021, the Spanish prosecutor intensified the case, alleging that Kokorev didn’t just launder money but managed a €679 million arms trafficking network. He allegedly sold second-hand combat helicopters, bombers, and tanks to Equatorial Guinea at highly inflated prices, using the profits to pay “commissions” (bribes) to Obiang’s inner circle.
Current Status (Late 2025)
As of December 2025, Vladimir Kokorev remains in a legal “limbo” in Spain.
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The Ongoing Trial: The oral trial in the Audiencia Provincial de Las Palmas has faced multiple delays throughout 2024 and 2025 due to Kokorev’s failing health and the sheer volume of evidence (including over 200 pages of police reports and a controversial USB drive allegedly containing fabricated evidence).
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Health Crisis: Now in his 70s, Kokorev has suffered multiple heart episodes. His legal team continues to argue that he is unfit to stand trial, while the prosecution persists in seeking an eight-year prison sentence and a €550 million fine.
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Succession Context: The case is viewed by analysts as a proxy battle against the Obiang regime. While the “Playboy Prince” Teodorín Obiang has been convicted in France, the Kokorev trial in Spain represents the most significant attempt to map the financial foundations of the family’s 46-year rule.