JERSEY’S public prosecution service has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation into Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, despite the case gaining renewed attention in recent weeks.
In response to queries, the Law Officers’ Department said it was “unable to provide comment on live investigations” – maintaining its long-standing position even as developments have elevated the profile of the inquiry.
The case re-entered the spotlight this week after it emerged that Mr Abramovich has filed a legal challenge at the European Court of Human Rights.
His lawyers told The Times that Jersey’s four-year investigation into his financial affairs is “unfair and abusive,” alleging breaches of his fundamental rights.
Central to the investigation is approximately £5.3 billion in assets linked to Mr Abramovich, including £1.4 billion from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club. These assets were frozen by the Government of Jersey following sanctions imposed on the businessman in April 2022.
At the time, Jersey’s Attorney General publicly confirmed that Mr Abramovich was a suspect in a criminal investigation, a statement now forming part of the legal dispute.
The application to the Strasbourg-based court argues that Mr Abramovich’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights have been violated.
Specifically, it claims a breach of Article 6, which guarantees the right to a fair trial, and Article 8, which protects the right to private and family life.
Lawyers argue that public statements made during the investigation infringed these rights, particularly as Mr Abramovich has not been formally charged with any offence.
According to court documents, the UK government – not Jersey – will act as the formal respondent in the proceedings.
