Multi-billionaire Roman Abramovich cannot dismiss the proximity to the Kremlin. Now he is said to have violated the sanctions requirements. The US therefore wants to arrest two of his private planes – but both are outside the United States.
US judges have ordered the confiscation of two planes owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The US Department of Justice justifies the measure in court documents with the fact that the machines were used to violate the Russia sanctions imposed because of the Ukraine war. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and the Gulfstream G650ER business jet flew to Russia in violation of the sanctions requirements.
The Justice Department estimates the combined value of the two planes at $400 million. However, the planes are apparently out of reach of the US authorities. According to media reports, the Gulfstream G650ER is said to be in Russia, the Boeing machine possibly in Dubai.
The US Department of Justice will take “active steps” to confiscate the two planes, Department Representative Andrew Adams said in New York. According to him, the measure aims to induce people with close ties to the Kremlin to “distance” from the Moscow power center and from the Russian state.
Parallel to the Justice Department’s order, the US Commerce Department released a letter formally accusing Abramovich of intentionally violating US restrictions on the export of technology and goods to Russia. These allegations can result in large fines. Abramovich is said to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The western sanctions because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine had massive consequences for the oligarch, especially in Great Britain. All of his assets were frozen there. London football club Chelsea, which he had owned for almost 20 years, is being taken over by a group of investors led by US businessman Todd Boehly.
