The EU included the Russian oligarch on its list of people subject to asset freezes and travel bans for his role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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Roman Abramovich. Mandatory Credit: Action Images/Matthew Childs//File Photo
Roman Abramovich filed a lawsuit in the general court of the European Union against the Council of the European Union, which imposed sanctions on former Chelsea owner as part of crackdown on Russia and close allies of President Vladimir Putin.
In March, the EU placed the Russian oligarch on its list of individuals subject to asset freezes and travel bans for his role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
EU Council and court officials were unable to comment on details of the legal case when contacted on Tuesday.
Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea after being sanctioned by the British governmentfor Putin’s “brutal and barbaric invasion” of Ukraine.
The sale of the Premier League club for 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion)< /b>, the highest price ever paid for a sports team, was completed Monday by a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly. The operation marked the end of Abramovich’s trophy-filled 19-year tenure.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, said Portuguese authorities have confirmed that the sale of Chelsea by Abramovich, who holds a Portuguese passport, does not benefit him or an entity associated with him, and that profits would only go to humanitarian activities in Ukraine.
The English Chelsea announced on Monday that the sale process to the American businessman Todd Boehly and his consortium of investors was closed, so that the London club is no longer owned by Russian millionaire Roman Abramovich.
“This follows close engagement between the European Commission, Portugal and the UK to ensure the sale is fully in line with EU sanctions legislation,” the Commission said in a message to The Associated Press< /i>. “Effective implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions is a priority for the Commission.”
When it sanctioned Abramovich in March, the EU said it “has had privileged access to the (Russian) president and has maintained very good relations with him. This connection with the Russian leader helped him maintain his considerable wealth ”.
Maria Konstantinovna Pevchikh , head of the investigation unit of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK, for its acronym in English), assured that the Russian oligarch “is the reason why Putin remains in power”.
“Roman Abramovich is the most faithful and devoted of Putin’s oligarchs. His loyalties are very clear. He unconditionally supports everything Putin has been doing for two decades. Even now, during the war, he is at the president’s side, accepting and saluting orders from him”, The Russian journalist who works for the non-profit organization, based in Moscow, established in 2011 by the political prisoner Alexei Navalny, pointed out on her social networks.
Although he is in charge of denying it, the link between Abramovich and Putin is very close. The 55-year-old tycoon is part of the group of oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian state since Putin’s coming to power. Always, under the condition of loyalty and renouncing any political ambition. “Do what you want, make the money you want, but don’t question my power”, was the direct order of the head of the Kremlin several years ago. And, of course, part of that income must go to the coffers of the president through commissions or direct bribes.
Pevchikh even described Abramovich as “the last Putin’s purse,” “his latest source of bribes.”
(With information from AP)