Russian billionaire businessman Arkady Rotenberg on Saturday claimed ownership to an opulent Black Sea mansion, which his former judo partner, Russian President Vladimir Putin, denied any connection to earlier this week.

Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny and his anti-corruption foundation have published a two-hour video in which they allege that the Russian leader owns the palace "with the largest bribe in history." The property has an estimated cost of $1.37 billion.  

Describing the news as being "stirred up," Putin directly trashed the report in an online meeting with university students on Monday. "Nothing of what is listed there as my property belongs or has ever belonged to me or my close relatives. Never!" he said.

Rotenberg said he bought the palace a few years ago, without giving further financial details.

"Now it will no longer be a secret, I am the beneficiary," Rotenberg said in a video published by Mash channel in Telegram. "There was a rather complicated facility, there were a lot of creditors, and I managed to become the beneficiary."

Such corruption allegations helped spur protests – largest seen in many years – in about 100 cities throughout the country last weekend, demanding the release of the jailed opposition leader Navalny.

The Kremlin critic was arrested on January 17 after flying back to the Russian capital of Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from nerve-agent poisoning. The Russian government has denied roles in the 44-year-old's poisoning.

Police conducted a series of raids this week at apartments and offices of Navalny's family, associates and anti-corruption organization.

More protests are expected on Sunday as Russian authorities have issued a strong warning against participating. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk cited the coronavirus pandemic in a Saturday warning against protests. She said participants found in violation of epidemiological regulations could face criminal charges.

(Cover: Russian businessman Arkady Rotenberg reacts before a ceremony to award constructors of the Crimean Bridge over the Kerch Strait in Sevastopol, Crimea, March 18, 2020. /Reuters)