Life under the regime of sanctions seems too heavy for him Michael Friedmanone of the richest Russians.
Following his statements to Bloomberg (“I do not know how to live. I do not know. I really do not know”) about the difficulties he is facing now that the British state has to approve his monthly expenses, within a budget of 2,500 pounds, Friedman described his new life and in a Spanish newspaper.
He told El Pais that he was “practically under house arrest” because of the sanctions. Friedman does not have access to his bank accounts, as his credit and ATM cards have been blocked.
“The authorities in the UK have to approve a certain amount for me to be able to pay for taxis and food, but it will be a very limited amount if you look at the cost of living in London,” he told the newspaper.
He is not sure that the amount of 2,500 pounds is enough “to live a normal life without exaggeration”.
“I can not even take someone out to a restaurant. “I have to eat at home and I am practically under house arrest,” he explained.
Of course, his home is a $ 85 million Victorian mansion, the Athlone House.
However, Friedman told El Pais that he did not know if he would be able to keep the property he had bought in 2016. “It is unclear whether I will be able to continue living in London or be forced to leave, which I do not I can do it right now and I do not want to, for many reasons “.
The oligarch declares his indignation at the way he is being treated. “I have been in London for eight years, I have invested billions of dollars in Britain and other European countries and the answer is that they take everything from me and throw me out,” he told El Pais.
“Sanctions against private entrepreneurs do not make sense, because most of them have built their businesses through their talent, effort and personal skills,” he added. He described as “stupid” the idea that oligarchs could persuade Vladimir Putin to end the “tragedy” (Friedman avoided using the word “war”).
“Things will not get better for the West if it forces many smart and interesting businessmen to go to Russia, instead of integrating them and trying to persuade them to take a stand, even if it is obvious that private companies have zero influence in Russia.” , he added.
Money Review
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