For reportedly having links with the Russian government, Russian billionaire and owner of Chelsea football club, Roman Abramovich has been banned from living in Britain.
This is coming, following the latest crisis between the Ukrainian and Russian governments.
Investors King had earlier reported that Russian troops launched a wide-range war on Ukraine on Thursday. This development has prompted the Ukrainian government to declare a state of emergency and Martial law on the entire territory of Ukraine except for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which is expected to take effect from midnight of February 23, 2022, for a period of 30 days.
In a report by The Sun UK, senior security sources revealed that Abramovich, who owns a £125million mansion near Kensington is unlikely to ever be allowed to live in Britain again, as immigration officials have been instructed on this.
He was alleged to have business connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin, even though he denied the allegation.
In a security memo on the floor of the House of Commons on Thursday, UK’s Labour MP, Chris Bryant revealed that the Russian billionaire is linked to “corrupt activity and practices”, adding that his ownership of Chelsea should be questioned.
He said: “As part of HMGs Russia strategy, aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices.
“An example of this is Abramovich admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence.
“Therefore HMG is focused on ensuring individuals linked to illicit finance and malign activity are unable to base themselves in the UK and will use the relevant tools at its disposal – including immigration powers – to prevent this.”
In a report by NationalWorld, Abramovich’s relationship with Putin was established prior to the latter’s ascension to the role of President. Abramovich reportedly had “privileged access” to the leader, as well as “very good relations”.
The report further noted that this is not the first time that Abramovich’s association with Putin and his role at Stamford Bridge has caused controversies. According to earlier reports, claims that Abramovich bought Chelsea on the orders of Putin led to the former receiving an apology from publisher Harper Collins after they were initially outlined in a book entitled “Putin’s People”.
According to Forbes, Abramovich owns stakes in steel giant Evraz, Norilsk Nickel and the U.K.’s Chelsea soccer team. He also owns the world’s second-largest yacht, 533-foot Eclipse, bought for nearly $400 million in 2010.