According to multiple reports, Roman Abramovich has filed a claim at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding a criminal investigation by Jersey authorities into allegations of corruption and money laundering. Approximately £5.3bn of Abramovich's assets are frozen in Jersey, and the £2.4bn proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club, promised to victims of the Ukraine war, have yet to be released.
Abramovich's lawyers claim the actions by Jersey are 'unfair and abusive'. According to The Guardian - Business, representatives of Abramovich described the investigation as having dragged on for years without charges, transparency, or credible evidence, and as a 'clear abuse of power' driven by political motives. The ECHR claim argues that Abramovich's right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights has been infringed, and that his right to privacy under Article 8 was breached by a public announcement about the investigation made by Jersey in 2022. Abramovich previously succeeded in a legal attempt to force Jersey officials to produce private messages, emails, and other data related to him.
This investigation, which has dragged on for years without charges, transparency or credible evidence, represents a clear abuse of power by the government of Jersey and a violation of fundamental rights.
A company owned by Abramovich warned that the £2.4bn proceeds from the sale of Chelsea could be viewed by Jersey as proceeds of crime. The UK government is the official respondent to the ECHR claim. Abramovich's representatives say the Jersey case is delaying the release of funds from the sale of Chelsea. The British government has threatened to sue Abramovich to force the release of funds. There is disagreement over how the money will be used: Britain wants it ringfenced for Ukraine, while Abramovich has indicated he wants more flexibility. When Abramovich announced his intention to sell Chelsea in March 2022, he said proceeds would be used 'for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine', according to The Guardian - Business.
Authorities have withheld key information and ignored basic procedural safeguards, showing how this is not a legitimate legal process but one driven by political motives.
We expect the European court of human rights to recognise these failures and reach the same conclusion.