Beijing time, December 27 — According to The Times of London, Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea FC, has hired world-class lawyers to pursue litigation, which could affect whether proceeds from the sale of Chelsea can be used to aid victims of the Russia-Ukraine war.

￡5.3 Billion Frozen! Abramovich Ignores UK Government Demands, Hires Top Lawyers to Fight Lawsuit

In 2017, the Government of Jersey warmly welcomed Abramovich as a resident of the island, and the UK government approved his application. Recently, The Times revealed a letter written in 2017 by the head of Jersey’s High Value Residents Unit to Abramovich, expressing enthusiastic welcome. However, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the UK government imposed sanctions on Abramovich, and the Jersey authorities began investigating the source of his funds.

It is reported that since 2022, Jersey courts have frozen over ￡5.3 billion of Abramovich’s assets. The Jersey government previously stated it would investigate the origin of these funds, triggering a complex legal battle. Abramovich’s side contends that until the Jersey government withdraws its lawsuit, ￡1.4 billion of the ￡2.35 billion generated from the Chelsea sale cannot be transferred to the designated charitable foundation.

Last week, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued an ultimatum to Abramovich, urging him to transfer all proceeds from the Chelsea sale to Ukraine by March 17. According to The Times, Abramovich has taken a defiant stance, explicitly rejecting the demand and spending heavily to hire six top-tier lawyers for the legal fight. In addition to preparing to counter lawsuits from the UK government, Abramovich has also filed suit against the Jersey government, demanding it halt its investigation into his assets, seeking reimbursement of part of his legal costs, and preparing to claim ￡2.5 million in compensation. It is reported that the UK government remains confident in its legal position.

Beijing time, December 27 — According to The Times of London, Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea FC, has hired world-class lawyers to pursue litigation, which could affect whether proceeds from the sale of Chelsea can be used to aid victims of the Russia-Ukraine war.

￡5.3 Billion Frozen! Abramovich Ignores UK Government Demands, Hires Top Lawyers to Fight Lawsuit

In 2017, the Government of Jersey warmly welcomed Abramovich as a resident of the island, and the UK government approved his application. Recently, The Times revealed a letter written in 2017 by the head of Jersey’s High Value Residents Unit to Abramovich, expressing enthusiastic welcome. However, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the UK government imposed sanctions on Abramovich, and the Jersey authorities began investigating the source of his funds.

It is reported that since 2022, Jersey courts have frozen over ￡5.3 billion of Abramovich’s assets. The Jersey government previously stated it would investigate the origin of these funds, triggering a complex legal battle. Abramovich’s side contends that until the Jersey government withdraws its lawsuit, ￡1.4 billion of the ￡2.35 billion generated from the Chelsea sale cannot be transferred to the designated charitable foundation.

Last week, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued an ultimatum to Abramovich, urging him to transfer all proceeds from the Chelsea sale to Ukraine by March 17. According to The Times, Abramovich has taken a defiant stance, explicitly rejecting the demand and spending heavily to hire six top-tier lawyers for the legal fight. In addition to preparing to counter lawsuits from the UK government, Abramovich has also filed suit against the Jersey government, demanding it halt its investigation into his assets, seeking reimbursement of part of his legal costs, and preparing to claim ￡2.5 million in compensation. It is reported that the UK government remains confident in its legal position.