Move threatens to throw open parts of secretive legal battle on Channel island about ex-Chelsea owner’s wealth
The former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is making a claim of “conspiracy” against the government of Jersey after the crown dependency launched a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering in connection with the original source of the oligarch’s wealth.
The latest move threatens to throw open parts of a secretive legal battle on the Channel island about the tycoon’s rise to become one of the world’s richest people, which emerged in September after a Switzerland federal criminal court ordered the release of a cache of Swiss banking records requested by the Jersey attorney general.
The Russian billionaire had originally requested a gagging order on the cases but has reportedly removed his opposition after he alleged conspiracy by the island’s authorities over the criminal investigation brought against him in 2022. The lifting of the privacy order was first reported by the Independent on Sunday.
A spokesperson for Abramovich told Reuters: “No charges have been brought against Mr Abramovich in the three and a half years since the investigation was commenced, and, to our knowledge, in fact no progress has been made on this case.
