Roman Abramovich: The Rise and Fall of the Archetypal Russian Oligarch

The Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich – who now runs to “surplus” yachts, private jets, expensive cars and “palaces” from Western sanctions – was not born into wealth.

Like most of Vladimir Putin’s oligarchic friends in post-Soviet Russia, he made a fortune along the way, taking advantage of the collapse of the Soviet Union, with his critics accusing him of fraud, bribery and extortion, accusations which he and his lawyers dismiss.

Especially in the case of 55-year-old Abramovich, however, the transition to wealth was even more pronounced, as he was an impoverished orphan born and raised far from the major urban centers of Russia (then the Soviet Union), spending most of his minor life in Siberia.

Orphan – poor – rich



And yet, despite his “humble” origins, Roman Abramovich had managed to make a fortune before he turned 30, and become one of the richest people in the world before the age of 40. How? His critics speak of fraud and corruption.

The young Abramovich was arrested in 1992, at the age of 25, on charges of using fake documents to take control of large quantities of fuel: a train loaded with fuel which he drove to Riga, Latvia, where the fuel sold with him receiving revenue. The allegations were later dropped, and during the 1990s Abramovich is said to have benefited greatly from his good relations with another oligarch, Boris Berezovsky, who in turn had very good relations with then-Russian President Boris. Yeltsin.

Controversial deals – bribes – kidnappings



Before he turned 30, Abramovich bought Russia’s Sibneft from the Russian state for $ 250 million (137 million of which are said to have come from a loan “arranged” by the Kremlin). According to the allegations, in order to make the said deal, the then Yeltsin’s bodyguard, Alexander Korzakov, had been bribed with about 10 million dollars, through Berezovsky.

According to the allegations, the Russian authorities had even tried to “chase” for the specific agreement Abramovich, who was then protected by Yeltsin himself. For the record, the prosecutor, who had then tried to target Abramovic, was fired, after a sex tape starring him was previously released.

A few years later, in 2005, Abramovich sold Sibneft, which he had bought on $ 250 million in loans, back to the Kremlin for… 13 billion.

Meanwhile in 2002, however, and while Putin had succeeded Yeltsin in power, Abramovich would acquire another Russian state-owned company, Slavneft, with his critics arguing that the result of that auction was also a product. blackmail.

Putin’s money man



According to the allegations, Slavneft was then claimed by a group of Chinese who were even willing to give more than Abramovich to acquire it, but one of its members was abducted in Moscow.

Years later, in 2010, a Spanish investigation would describe Abramovich as “Putin’s money man” and “manager of Putin’s financial interests”.

Wealth of many billions.



In the meantime, Abramovich bought (in 2003) the Chelsea football team for 140 million pounds, while now he is also the leader of the steel giant Evraz (who is accused of contributing to the construction of Russian tanks).

Most of the aforementioned complaints were presented a few days ago in a documentary which was broadcast by the British news network BBC (BBC Panorama).

As for the 55-year-old Abramovich himself – who, by the way, has a total of seven children from two marriages – he is now in the crosshairs of not only British but also European sanctions, as a result of which he runs to escape confiscation and freezing as much as possible. his assets.

It should be noted that we are talking about a personal fortune worth a total of about 10 to 12 billion pounds, under the “roof” of which are at least 70 houses and a whole fleet of cars, private jets (Boeing 767 – The Bandit, Gulfstream G650 LX-RAY) and supergiot (Solaris, Eclipse).

Source: kathimerini.gr

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