Russian businessman Roman Abramovich is a defendant in the criminal case of the authorities of the island of Jersey in connection with allegations of corruption and money laundering, The Guardian reports, citing documents from the Swiss Federal Criminal Court regarding bank accounts requested by the Attorney General of Jersey.
According to these documents, Jersey authorities are investigating the origin of the Russian billionaire's fortune. The rulings state that Abramovich "allegedly made corrupt payments in the 1990s," when he turned Sibneft into a major oil company. The second charge relates to the transfer of assets to Jersey, which are believed to be related to the businessman, after his inclusion in the UK sanctions list on March 10, 2022.
After that, the government of the island of Jersey announced the freezing of assets worth $ 7 billion, which are allegedly connected with Abramovich. The assets are either located in Jersey or belong to companies registered in this offshore, the authorities said in a statement. The total fortune of the businessman at that time was estimated at about $ 14 billion.
In April 2022, Jersey police obtained a warrant and conducted searches in Abramovich-related premises in mid-April. Representatives of the law seized documents and technical devices. In November, the Jersey Police admitted that the warrant was obtained illegally and should be canceled. Also, law enforcement officers agreed to pay damages and apologize.
In the investigation, Jersey authorities are checking whether these companies continued to operate in violation of sanctions.
This could result in imprisonment or a fine, the Guardian notes.Lawyers representing the companies mentioned in the investigation claim that the investigation by the Jersey authorities is "politically motivated." Abramovich's lawyers in a Guardian comment rejected the accusations against the billionaire.
"No charges have been brought against our client, and in There are no criminal proceedings involving our client in Jersey; the Jersey Court has actually confirmed that there are no criminal proceedings against our client in the Jersey courts," they stated.
Jersey, an island in the English Channel, part of the Channel Islands, is a self—governing possession of the British Crown. At the same time, Jersey is not part of the United Kingdom, but the protection of the island is spelled out in the British constitution, RBC reminds.