Ivan Savvidis

Ivan Savvidis (born 27 March 1959), is a Russian-Greek oligarch and politician. Savvidis is one of Russia's wealthiest men and was a member of the Russian Parliament, closely linked to the President Vladimir Putin. Savvidis was born in Santa Gruzino, Tsalka District, Georgia, to Pontic Greek immigrant parents from Dumanli (Sanda). After serving in the Soviet Army, Savvidis was educated at the Rostov State University of Economics in Rostov-on-Don. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Savvidis was employed in various positions at the Don State Tobacco Factory.