Legal Status Profiles

Records

Roman Abramovich

Russian-born businessman, former owner of Chelsea Football Club (2003-2022) and former governor of Russia's Chukotka region, with shareholdings in Evraz and Norilsk Nickel.

Under investigationLatest source dated 2026-09-22Last reviewed 2026-10-26

What is Roman Abramovich’s legal position?

Jersey criminal investigation and asset freeze relating to Abramovich-linked trusts

Under investigation

Current position. As of late April 2026 the Jersey investigation remained open and no charges had been brought; his lawyers state he denies any criminal activity.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Authority
Attorney General of Jersey; Royal Court of Jersey
Status date
2026-04

History

  1. 2022-03 The Attorney General of Jersey began an investigation into assets linked to Abramovich.
  2. 2022-04 A freezing order was obtained over assets (reported as more than US$7bn) held in two trusts of which he was a beneficiary; the Attorney General confirmed he was a suspect in a criminal investigation.
  3. 2024 Royal Court of Jersey dismissed his judicial review of the investigation and asset freeze.
  4. 2025-06 Court of Appeal of Jersey dismissed his appeal.
  5. 2025-11-12 Judicial Committee of the Privy Council refused permission to appeal (JCPC/2025/0075 and related applications).
  6. 2025-11 Master of the Royal Court ordered the Government of Jersey to pay his costs in a related data-access dispute; a privacy order on the proceedings was lifted.
  7. 2026-04 Reported to have lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights against the United Kingdom under Articles 6 and 8 concerning the Jersey investigation.

UK government dispute over frozen Chelsea FC sale proceeds

Allegation

Current position. As of the latest sources found (March 2026) the government had said it was preparing legal action; no filed claim was found, and the proceeds remain frozen.[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]

Authority
HM Government (HM Treasury / OFSI); no court proceedings found
Status date
2026-03-17

History

  1. 2022-03-02 Abramovich announced the sale of Chelsea and said all net proceeds would be donated to a foundation for victims of the war in Ukraine.
  2. 2022-05-30 Sale completed; proceeds held frozen in the UK.
  3. 2025-12-17 Prime Minister told MPs a licence had been granted allowing the proceeds to be transferred to a new foundation for humanitarian causes in Ukraine and said the government was prepared to go to court.
  4. 2026-03-09 His lawyers wrote that the funds remain the property of Fordstam Limited, wholly owned by him, and said he would contest any attempt to seize them.
  5. 2026-03-17 A government spokesperson said he had not made the donation and that further steps would be taken; government lawyers were reported to have told his lawyers that legal action was being prepared.

Sources

  1. The Weekly Round-up: Abramovich ECHR claim...UK Human Rights Blog (1 Crown Office Row), 2026-04-27, secondary source
  2. Details of legal battle between Roman Abramovich and Jersey revealed after gagging order liftedThe Independent (syndicated via AOL), 2025-11-18, secondary source
  3. Probe of Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich to Continue After Jersey Court RulingOCCRP, 2025-11-23, secondary source
  4. Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich v His Majesty's Attorney General and another (Jersey) – JCPC/2025/0075Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, 2025-11-12, primary source
  5. Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich v His Majesty's Attorney General No 2 (Jersey) – JCPC/2025/0076Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, 2025-11-12, primary source
  6. Law Officers' Department remains tight-lipped on Abramovich caseJersey Evening Post, 2026-04-25, secondary source
  7. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich confirms he is selling football club amid Russia invasion of UkraineITV News, 2022-03-02, secondary source
  8. Roman era ends as Abramovich completes sale of ChelseaKhaleej Times (Reuters), 2022-05-30, secondary source
  9. UK gives Abramovich last chance to give Chelsea sale proceeds to victims of Russia's war in UkraineABC News (Associated Press), 2025-12, secondary source
  10. Keir Starmer warns Roman Abramovich over Chelsea sale fundsESPN, 2025-12-17, secondary source
  11. Government prepares to sue Roman Abramovich after he missed deadline to release £2.5bn from Chelsea saleSky News (via Yahoo Finance UK), 2026-03-17, secondary source
  12. Abramovich's lawyers say he will fight any UK attempt to seize Chelsea sale proceedsReuters (via Global Banking & Finance Review), 2026-03-09, secondary source
  13. Roman Abramovich warns UK government not to confiscate proceeds from Chelsea saleThe Times (via Yahoo News), 2026-03, secondary source

Change history

  • 2026-10-26 Record published.

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