By playing the mediator in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he hoped for a certain leniency. This is not the case: the United States on Monday ordered the seizure of two planes belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, former owner of Chelsea football club. The US Department of Justice says the two planes in question were used in violation of sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream G650ER jet, flew into Russian territory in March in violation of US export regulations. According to the seizure warrant, Roman Abramovich owns the two devices, worth more than $400 million, through a series of front companies.
“The Department of Commerce’s controls on exports and re-exports are strong and must be adhered to. It is an important component of the American strategy to deprive Russia of the means to fuel its illegal war,” explained Andrew Adams, the director of the KleptoCapture team, which depends on the Department of Justice.
“Strong application of the sanctions regime”
The group, which includes a dozen prosecutors and investigators from several American services, is responsible for investigating violations of the sanctions adopted against Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine and for organizing the seizure of the property of the oligarchs. “In the short term, the objective (of this team) is to demonstrate the tough application of the sanctions regime and to encourage people close to the Kremlin to distance themselves from the Russian state which continues to accelerate the war” , added Andrew Adams.
The Justice Department did not say where the two planes are currently located. According to media, the Boeing could be in Dubai and the Gulfstream in Russia.
Close to the Kremlin, the multi-billionaire oligarch mediates between Russia and Ukraine, where his mother is from. Some believe that, by trying to find a peace agreement, the owner of Chelsea football club is trying to escape Western sanctions.
Because he is one of the hundreds of personalities who have a travel ban, and whose assets are frozen. The sale of his English club is thus suspended. At the beginning of May, the oligarch denied rumors that he would ask for a loan repayment to make the sale of his former club happen.