A source alleged that the rumored lover of Vladimir Putin, Alina Kabaeva, is now an owner of two luxury homes in Turkey.
Mail Online reported that the allegations came from Leonid Nevzlin, a Russian-born Israeli businessman and a "leading Putin foe."
As stated, the 39-year-old Olympic gold-medalist has a new summer house in southern Turkey and one in Istanbul.
The source also claimed that an intermediary "through a close aide" of the NATO member state's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, arranged the properties. It is added that the unnamed individual "organized the purchase" for Kabaeva.
Nevzlin continued to allege that the Turkish president had "allocated" his presidential guard to the reported properties.
But, as the publication pointed out, the source did not provide any specific details regarding the supposed luxury homes. In addition, he did not share evidence to support his allegations about Vladimir Putin's rumored partner, Alina Kabaeva.
No official comment or statement from the said personalities has come to light, as well. Accordingly, the latest reports will remain as mere speculation unless otherwise stated.
Alina Kabaeva is widely believed to be a partner of Vladimir Putin. The rumors about their supposed romantic tie first emerged in 2008.
BBC recalled that a newspaper made a report at the time, claiming the Russian leader was planning to divorce his wife, Lyudmila, and marry the Olympic medalist. Both "rejected" the story, although authorities shut the newspaper down reportedly soon after the emergence of the reports.
Nevertheless, the country's leader and his wife announced their split five years later.
It remains unclear, as well, when Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabaeva first met. But, the publication said it is not unusual for a leading athlete to meet a country's leader.
Also, it is stated that there is a photo of the two personalities as far back as 2001. At the time, the Russian leader awarded her a top state honor, the Order of Friendship.
Kabaeva reportedly began rhythmic gymnastics when she was four years old. She then made her international debut in 1996.
Following the now-39-year-old personality's fame and success in her sporting career, she became known as "Russia's most flexible woman." When she retired, she had already won several Olympic prizes, alongside her 18 World Championship medals and 25 European Championship medals.
Putin's rumored girlfriend moved into politics after retiring from her sporting career. She held a seat in the country's lower house of parliament from 2007 to 2014 with the ruling United Russia party.