Abramovich claims Jersey criminal probe ‘baseless,’ files conspiracy claims

Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich’s spokesperson says that a criminal investigation launched by the Jersey authorities against him in 2022 was baseless and that he has been allowed to introduce “claims of conspiracy” against the government.

In April 2022, the Royal Court of Jersey imposed a formal freezing order on $7 billion worth of assets in trusts which Jersey said were linked to Abramovich and the attorney general of Jersey said that Abramovich was a suspect in a criminal investigation.

“No charges have been brought against Mr Abramovich in the 3.5 years since the investigation was commenced, and, to our knowledge, in fact no progress has been made on this case,” his spokesperson says. “Mr Abramovich was allowed earlier this year to introduce claims of Conspiracy against the Government of Jersey.”

Jersey does not immediately respond to a request for comment on the statement.

Abramovich’s spokesperson says that the conspiracy claim relates to the government of Jersey admitting to having deleted data relating to the case as well as their overall failure to disclose data held on Abramovich.

Abramovich was one of the most powerful businessmen who earned fabulous fortunes after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. Forbes has put his net worth at $9.2 billion.