Abramovich's appeal against sanctions begins in EU court

The European Court in Luxembourg has begun hearings on the suit of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich (worth $9.2 billion according to Forbes  ) against the EU Council because of the sanctions imposed against him, follows from the file of the court.

The businessman did not come to the meeting. Abramovich's lawyer said that the billionaire was sanctioned despite the non-compliance with the criteria for their introduction, RIA Novosti reports. The lawyer said that Abramovich "has not been active in Russia as a businessman" for more than 20 years and owns only 28% of the shares of the metallurgical and mining company Evraz Group, which operates both in Russia and abroad and did not fall under EU sanctions.

The defender also noted that his fame in the West, including as the owner of the British football club Chelsea, could influence the decision on restrictions against Abramovich. The businessman sold the club and was going to transfer the proceeds to a charitable foundation for the needs of victims on both sides of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The representative of the EU Council in court said that Abramovich remains an influential businessman from Russia, although he does not live in the country: he owns shares in a company, the majority of whose employees are Russians, and has connections with the Russian leadership, since he took part in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

During the hearing, security measures were stepped up in the court, as information was received that a group of Ukrainians were preparing a protest action against the businessman and Russia, RIA Novosti notes.

RBC turned to a representative of Roman Abramovich for comment.

The EU Council, announcing the sanctions, called Abramovich "a Russian oligarch with long and close ties to [President] Vladimir Putin" and noted that the businessman is a key shareholder in Evraz, one of Russia's largest taxpayers.

Abramovich, who fell under EU sanctions in mid-March last year, filed a complaint with the court on May 25, 2022. Other Russian entrepreneurs, such as Alfa Bank shareholders Pyotr Aven and Mikhail Fridman, Severstal owner Alexei Mordashov, USM Holdings founder Alisher Usmanov, and others, did the same.