He recently lost a seven-month legal battle with a Swiss newspaper publisher
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich recently lost a seven-month legal battle with a Swiss newspaper publisher over the publication of the reasoning behind him being denied residency in the country.
The billionaire was deemed a “threat to public security and a reputational risk” by Swiss police if he was granted permission to move to the country.
The battle between Abramovich and the Zurich publisher Tamedia began in February, when the group obtained details of a letter written by police, who were asked by the state migration secretariat to give their view on whether the oligarch should be allowed to move to the canton of Valais.
The Russian oligarch had applied for Swiss residency in July 2016, hoping to make the exclusive ski resort of Verbier his official home.
However, police raised a number of concerns after details of a review of Abramovich emerged. According to Tamedia, police reported that Abramovich was known for “suspicion of money laundering and presumed contacts with criminal organisations”.
They also revealed that there was reason to believe “the applicant’s assets are at least partially of illegal origin”.
Abramovich’s lawyer, Daniel Glasl has filed a request for the correction of facts to Swiss federal police. He said he plans to file a criminal complaint against whoever disseminated the information.
“Any suggestion that Mr Abramovich has been involved in money laundering or has contacts with criminal organisations is entirely false. Mr Abramovich has never been charged with participating in money laundering and does not have a criminal record. He has never had, or been alleged to have, connections with criminal organisations.”
In a written statement, his lawyer added: “Mr Abramovich has submitted to numerous, thorough background checks by governments and business partners over the years and such unsubstantiated allegations have never been an issue.”
Abramovich has never been indicted in Switzerland and has the right to be presumed innocent.
In February, the oligarch secured an injunction banning any mention in the media of police concerns over his activity, but it was overturned after a legal battle than ended on Friday after the Swiss federal supreme court rejected Abramovich’s appeal. Tamedia then published their story on Tuesday.
When he bought Chelsea in 2003, Abramovich led the way for Russian oligarchs to make London their home. However, after the recent scandal surrounding the poisoning of Russian former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in March, Britain has taken measures to prevent the money flow from Moscow into the British capital.
Abramovich was subsequently denied entry to the UK and withdrew his application to renew his UK residency this spring. He later obtained Israeli citizenship through his Jewish heritage. Chelsea then put plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge on hold and denied reports that he was looking to sell the club.
