FBI claims Roman Abramovich transferred millions of his assets before being hit with sanctions
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was hit with sanctions in early March by the UK government, amid Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich had put Chelsea up for sale shortly before the sanctions were announced, and Chelsea have now been sold to a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly.
Abramovich’s assets in the UK were frozen amid the sanctions, just as Chelsea were also affected by the sanction.
Meanwhile, authorities in the US have now claimed that Abramovich secretly transferred assets worth hundreds of millions of pounds to his children days before he was hit with the sanctions – including a £282m Boeing 787 Dream liner jet and various super yachts.
FBI are believe to be monitoring the situation, an unknown number of Abramovich’s seven children were made beneficiaries of an offshore trust in Cyprus, Europa Settlement Trust, which the FBI believes owns the aircraft.
An affidavit filed by FBI special agent Alan Fowler (as quoted by The Times) states: “Based on my review of the records, I believe that in or about February 2022, Abramovich reorganised the ownership of his assets, including by making his children (all of whom are Russian nationals) the beneficiaries of the Europa Trust.”