Roman Abramovich makes claim of ‘conspiracy’ against Jersey government | Roman Abramovich
former owner of Chelsea Roman Abramovich He is alleging “conspiracy” against the Jersey government after the royal dependency launched a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering linked to the original source of the oligarch’s wealth.
The latest move threatens to reveal parts of a secret legal battle on the Channel island over the tycoon’s rise to become one of the richest people in the world; This was revealed in September after the Swiss federal criminal court ordered the release of a cache of Swiss banking records requested by Jersey’s attorney general.
The Russian billionaire had initially requested a cease-and-desist order regarding the cases, but reportedly withdrew his objection after claiming conspiracy by island authorities regarding the criminal investigation against him in 2022. It was the first time that the confidentiality decision was lifted. The Independent reported Sunday.
A spokesman for Abramovich told Reuters: “No charges have been brought against Mr Abramovich in the three-and-a-half years since the investigation began and, as far as we know, no progress has actually been made in this case.”
“Mr Abramovich was allowed to make conspiracy allegations against the Jersey government earlier this year.”
The royal dependency froze more than $7bn (£5.3bn) in assets suspected to be linked to it shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Jersey’s attorney general also said Abramovich was a suspect in a criminal investigation.
Abramovich later succeeded in his legal attempt to force ministers and other senior figures in Jersey to produce private messages, emails and other data about him, the Independent reported.
The newspaper also published details of last week’s ruling by crown court president barrister David Michael Cadin, which ordered the government of Jersey (GOJ) to pay Abramovich’s costs and described as “extreme” the failure of the oligarch’s legal team to provide data requested more than two years ago.
He was reported to have said, “GOJ defendants’ conduct was unusual and unreasonable for any plaintiff, let alone the ‘office owner’.” “There was no proper explanation given by the GOJ defendants for their failure.”
Jersey is one of the tax havens where Abramovich manages his fortune using a network of offshore companies and trusts that control companies with bank accounts in Switzerland.
According to the Swiss decisions that first shed light on the investigation, Jersey authorities are investigating the origins of the oligarch’s fortune, which was acquired during the chaotic rise of capitalism in Russia in the 1990s and 2000s.
Abramovich, through his lawyers, denied the allegations in Jersey and said any suggestion that he was involved in criminal activity was false.
Jersey’s Law Officers Department said: “We are unable to comment.”
Abramovich did not respond to the Guardian’s invitation for comment.
