Abramovich Ally Shvidler Loses Appeal Over UK Sanctions

A billionaire ally of Russian businessman Roman Abramovich has lost his latest attempt to overturn British sanctions, as the UK maintained its 100% record of defending challenges to sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes magazine at $1.6 billion, was sanctioned in March 2022 on the grounds of his association with former Chelsea Football Club owner Abramovich. His two private jets were also seized.

Britain also cited Shvidler’s position as a director of London-listed Russian steel producer Evraz and role at Russian oil company Sibneft, sold by Abramovich in 2005, as evidence he obtained a financial benefit from Abramovich.

Lawyers for Shvidler a dual British-US citizen had argued Britain was wrong to impose sanctions just because of his relationship with Abramovich.

Report says he lost his initial challenge to the sanctions at London’s High Court last year and asked the Court of Appeal to overturn that decision at a hearing in January.

Shvidler’s lawyers claimed he was targeted after Grant Shapps, UK transport secretary at the time, put ‘pressure’ on then-foreign secretary, Liz Truss, to impose sanctions.

They also cited the impact of sanctions, arguing that they had destroyed Shvidler’s ability to conduct his business and disrupted his and his family’s lives.

But his appeal was dismissed, with Judge Rabinder Singh rejecting Shvidler’s argument that the High Court had wrongly concluded Shvidler was associated with Abramovich.

“I would accept that these sanctions are both severe and open-ended,” Singh said in his written ruling. “But this does not meet the fundamental point that sanctions often have to be severe and open-ended if they are to be effective.”

Shvidler’s lawyers said in a statement that he intends to seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“In this judgment, the Court of Appeal has clearly given considerable deference to the government in matters of foreign policy,” the statement said.

“If it stands, it will make it virtually impossible for any person sanctioned by the UK government to bring a successful legal challenge.”

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere