The club owner of AS Monaco is being investigated as part of an art dispute investigation

(Adds prosecutor)

NICE, France, Oct 19 (Reuters) – Dmitry Rybolovlev, owner of AS Monaco soccer club, was investigated on Thursday over allegations of complicity in invasion of privacy related to a dispute with an art dealer, the principality’s top prosecutor told Reuters .

An investigation in Monaco is not the same as an indictment. This is the first step in an investigation, where judges inform the person of the allegations against them before questioning them at a later date.

The Russian billionaire said he had done nothing wrong and would fully cooperate with legal authorities.

“I am sure that the judicial system of Monaco… will sort this all out,” he said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

The case is related to an investigation into a dispute between Rybolovlev and Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier. That dispute led to the resignation of the head of the Monegasque judiciary last month after the daily Le Monde wrote about links between Rybolovlev and Monegasque judicial officials. Everyone involved denied wrongdoing.

Thursday’s move involves allegations that a lawyer for Rybolovlev recorded conversations related to the broader investigation, said prosecutor Jacques Doremieux.

Rybolovlev, who has an estimated fortune of $7 billion, most of which comes from his ownership of potash producer Uralkali, took over AS Monaco in 2011 and lives in the principality. (Author: Ingrid Melander; Editor: Luke Baker and Hugh Lawson)