A company based in Cyprus, and investments of tens of millions of dollarsRoman Abramovich transferred exactly on the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian businessman transferred the company to the director of the English football team of Chelsea on the day that Russia invaded Ukraine, new company records show, citing Reuters.
A Reuters analysis of corporate files in London and Amsterdam showed that Mr Abramovich had previously been referred to as the “real owner” of the company. Ervington Investments Limited based in Cyprus. The company has invested in at least eight companies, including the top one search engine Russia Yandexalways according to the company records.
On February 24, Eugene Tenenbaum, the Chelsea manager described on the club’s website as one of Abramovich’s “closest associates”, took full control of Ervington Investments.
Mr Tenenbaum told Reuters he had bought the company “in accordance with the law and regulations” – but refused to say the amount he paid.
This is the second time that the Russian owner of Chelsea has transferred assets to a close associate before the United Kingdom and the EU impose sanctions on him. Also on the first day of the attack, he transferred Norma Investments to David Davidovic, another of his associates.
The UK has been slow to impose sanctions since the February 24 invasion, with critics of the British government saying it gave oligarchs time to move their assets out of the country before announcing the March 10 restrictions. .
Mr Abramovich put European champions Chelsea up for sale on March 2, but after the announcement of the sanctions, the club began operating with a special license, and is now virtually controlled by the government.
The 55-year-old is one of Russia’s most powerful businessmen, with wealth coming from oil and aluminum since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. His net worth is estimated at more than $ 13 billion. (EUR 12 billion). He has previously denied that he had any close ties to Putin.
reuters.com
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