Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea Football Club, has accused the government of Jersey of “conspiracy” following a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering related to the origins of his wealth. This investigation gained attention after a Swiss federal court ordered the release of banking records requested by Jersey’s attorney general, shedding light on Abramovich’s financial dealings.
Abramovich initially sought a gagging order to keep the details of the case private but has since withdrawn this request. His spokesperson indicated that no charges have been filed against him in the three and a half years since the investigation began, claiming no progress has been made. Furthermore, earlier this year, he was allowed to introduce conspiracy claims against Jersey’s authorities due to the ongoing investigation that began in 2022.
In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jersey authorities froze over $7 billion of assets believed to be linked to Abramovich. He has since succeeded in a legal attempt to compel Jersey officials to disclose private communications related to his case. Recent reports indicated that an order was issued by David Michael Cadin, a master of Jersey’s royal court, stating that the government’s failure to produce requested data was “extreme” and “unreasonable,” with the court ordering the government to cover Abramovich’s legal costs.
Jersey is recognized as a tax haven where Abramovich has managed his fortune through a network of offshore companies and trusts. The focus of the investigation is on the sources of his wealth, which accumulated during the tumultuous economic transition in Russia during the 1990s and 2000s. Abramovich has denied any involvement in criminal activity and rejected the allegations made by Jersey authorities. The Law Officers’ Department in Jersey declined to comment on the matter, and Abramovich has not engaged with requests for comment from media outlets.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/16/roman-abramovich-makes-claim-of-conspiracy-against-jersey-government