Russian billionaire and former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich is the subject of a major criminal investigation by authorities in Jersey, The Guardian can reveal.
The high-profile probe, launched by the Jersey Law Officers’ Department, centres on serious allegations of corruption and money laundering. It represents a significant escalation in the legal challenges facing the sanctioned oligarch.
The Core of the Allegations
Investigators are scrutinising Mr Abramovich's complex financial affairs and his business activities within the jurisdiction of Jersey, a British Crown Dependency known as a global financial hub. The inquiry is understood to be examining the movement of substantial funds and the true nature of certain transactions.
While specific details remain confidential at this stage, the investigation is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness, indicating the potential scale of the alleged financial misconduct.
A Pattern of Scrutiny
This Jersey-based investigation does not exist in isolation. Mr Abramovich's fortune and business practices have faced intense international scrutiny since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, he was subjected to sanctions by the UK government, which froze his assets and effectively forced the sale of Chelsea Football Club. The European Union also placed him on its sanctions list, citing his close ties to Vladimir Putin's regime.
This new probe suggests that despite these previous actions, further questions about the origin and flow of his wealth remain unanswered.
Jersey's Stance on Financial Crime
The decision by Jersey's authorities to pursue this investigation signals a strong commitment to upholding international financial regulations and combating economic crime. As a jurisdiction, Jersey has been working to bolster its reputation and demonstrate that it is not a safe haven for illicit funds.
A successful investigation and any subsequent prosecution would serve as a powerful statement of intent from the island's financial crime units.
For Roman Abramovich, this development marks another formidable legal front in his ongoing disputes with Western governments and financial regulators.
