In response to inquiries from journalists, a representative of Alisher Usmanov wrote that “The suggestion that Sarvar Ismailov … used Mr. Usmanov’s funds to purchase real estate is incorrect.” Instead, the representative wrote, Usmanov had “provided funds to his sister, Mrs. Gulbakhor Ismailova, on the basis of family ties. How she disposed of that money was entirely up to her. This also applies to … possible transfers to her children.”