Former Chelsea Owner Abramovich Loses Legal Action Against EU Sanctions

Facts

• The European General Court on Wednesday rejected a legal challenge by Russian billionaire and former Chelsea soccer team owner Roman Abramovich to overturn sanctions imposed upon him by the EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.¹
• Sanctions were placed upon Abramovich in February 2022 by the Council of the EU, with the billionaire described as a 'Russian oligarch' with 'close and long-standing ties with Vladimir Putin,' benefitting from the annexation of Crimea as well as the 'destabilization of Ukraine.'²
• The council further claimed that the businessman was involved in sectors 'providing a significant source of income' to the Russian government, citing his position as a 'major shareholder' of steel company Evraz.³
• Abramovich's claim alleged that the Council of the EU had violated the 'right to judicial protection' and the 'obligation to provide reasons,' the 'rights of the defense,' as well as its obligation to 'review in the context' of two maintenance acts in September 2022 and March 2023. The billionaire further claimed a 'manifest error in assessment' by the council.²
• The court ruled that the former Chelsea owner — who sold the club shortly after sanctions were imposed — 'failed to demonstrate' wrongdoing by being placed on the council's list. Alongside the dismissed claims, Abramovich's request of €1M ($1.1M) for alleged damages to his reputation was also rejected.⁴
• A statement on behalf of Abramovich commented that the businessman did 'not have the ability to influence the decision-making of any government,' and he had 'in no way benefitted' from the war in Ukraine.⁵

Sources: ¹Reuters.com, ²Lex, ³CNN, ⁴Politico and ⁵Sky news.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Politico. Russia's richest continue to lay a legal siege on the likes of the EU in demand of their money back. While loopholes do exist, the likelihood of any oligarch having their assets quickly unfrozen while the Russia-Ukraine war continues is highly unlikely — an unsuspected benefit of the incredible size of the EU's bureaucratic red tape. The endless wheel of judicial challenges to no avail will inevitably only continue until peace in the region is secured.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by RT. The EU continues to keep Russian assets frozen without grounds with the intent to utilize their profits for selfish interests as legislative financial support for Ukraine has begun to wane. The West must prepare for a Russian response to this unacceptable behavior, and the EU specifically must face serious judicial and legal consequences for their actions.