Abramovich selling London property before sanctions strike, says MP
Roman Abramovich is selling his London properties to avoid having his assets frozen under UK sanctions, an MP has claimed.
Chris Bryant said the billionaire Russian owner of Chelsea Football Club was “terrified of being sanctioned” and ministers should act quickly.
“He is already going to sell his London home tomorrow and another flat as well,” the Labour MP added.
Roman Abramovich is selling his London properties to avoid having his assets frozen under UK sanctions, an MP has claimed.
Chris Bryant said the billionaire Russian owner of Chelsea Football Club was “terrified of being sanctioned” and ministers should act quickly.
“He is already going to sell his London home tomorrow and another flat as well,” the Labour MP added.
As yet Abramovich has not been sanctioned by either Britain or the EU, despite the prime minister claiming he was subject to sanctions in parliament last week.
The claim comes amid speculation that Abramovich is also ready to sell Chelsea Football Club, after his attempt to sell it to its charitable foundation stalled and is now being studied by the Charity Commission.
The properties Bryant was referring to are understood to be Abramovich’s 15-bedroom mansion at Kensington Palace Gardens, W8, valued at more than £150m, and a three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront, SW1, acquired in 2018 for a reported £22m.
Abramovich, who also holds Israeli and Portuguese citizenship, has been a less-frequent visitor to the UK since his investor visa expired in 2018.
Sources said that a number of prime agents had been contacted by one of Abramovich’s closest aides. Staff at the Kensington property were told to expect viewings, and a Chinese buyer was said to be keen on the purchase. Another agent said the properties had been quietly marketed since the summer.
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