Investigation into Roman Abramovich in Jersey on allegations of corrupt activities and money-laundering | Roman Abramovich’s Scrutiny in Jersey for Alleged Wrongdoing

The former owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, is under scrutiny by the Jersey authorities for potential corruption and money laundering related to the origins of his wealth, according to court documents. This information comes from the federal criminal court in Switzerland, where judges have ordered the release of documents concerning multiple Swiss bank accounts, at the request of the Jersey attorney general. The Channel Island’s authorities have been investigating the Russian oligarch’s vast wealth, leading to the freezing of over $7 billion in assets believed to be connected to him, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Jersey investigation seeks to uncover the sources of Abramovich’s wealth amassed during Russia’s capitalist boom in the 1990s and 2000s. Through his lawyers, Abramovich denies these allegations, asserting that any claims of criminal involvement are false. Lawyers representing the companies implicated in the investigation sought to block the release of the Swiss bank account documents, but their appeal was dismissed in May, with Swiss judges determining that Jersey had provided sufficient evidence to justify the document release. This legal action exposes the details of the unexplored aspects of Abramovich’s wealth accumulation, including the sale of Sibneft to the Russian government for $13 billion in 2005, which significantly boosted his fortune and furthered his financial investments globally, including in Chelsea FC and a collection of modern European art. Despite the allegations, public information about the investigation has been limited, but Swiss court rulings reveal the Jersey authorities’ scrutiny of Abramovich’s financial dealings and potential sanctions breaches following his placement on Jersey’s sanctions list post-Ukraine invasion. Abramovich and his legal team argue that the investigation is “politically motivated,” a claim the Swiss judges have dismissed. The judges recognized the adequacy of Jersey’s evidence to support the allegations of money laundering through bribery, highlighting the complexity and international nature of the legal proceedings involving Abramovich’s financial empire. Meanwhile, the Jersey attorney general’s office and the Swiss law firm involved have been approached for additional comments but have not issued further statements. Abramovich’s legal representatives maintain that their client has not been charged with any crime and insists on the falsity of the accusations against him.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/07/roman-abramovich-under-investigation-jersey-corruption-money-laundering-claims