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Roman Abramovich loses third legal challenge against EU sanctions
The EU General Court has dismissed the third legal challenge by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich seeking to overturn European Union sanctions. The court upheld the decision to freeze his assets and maintain travel restrictions, which were extended by the EU Council through September 2025 and March 2026.
Abramovich, who holds Russian, Israeli, and Portuguese citizenship, argued that the sanctions were an attempt to exploit his public notoriety rather than being based on objective criteria. He also contested the process, claiming that decision-making power had been improperly delegated to working groups rather than the Council itself. The court rejected these arguments, ruling that the sanctions are objective, precise, and proportionate.
The court found that the measures target prominent businessmen operating in Russia, specifically those in sectors that provide substantial revenue to the Russian government. The ruling highlighted Abramovich’s significant stakes in Evraz, a major steel and mining group, and Norilsk Nickel, a leading producer of palladium and nickel. These industries are considered key sources of funding for the Russian state during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Entities
Chelsea FC · European Union · European Union Council · European Union General Court · Evraz · Norilsk Nickel · Roman Abramovich
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Abramovich is the majority shareholder of Evraz, a major Russian steel and mining group. www.mediafax.ro · observador.pt · economytoday.sigmalive.com · www.reporter.gr · fr.businessam.be · +2 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Abramovich argued the EU was targeting him due to his public notoriety rather than objective criteria. businesselitesafrica.com · www.mediafax.ro · www.reporter.gr · www.kyivpost.com · economytoday.sigmalive.com · +6 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The court ruled that sanctions were based on equity holdings in sectors that generate significant revenue for the Russian government. www.mediafax.ro · observador.pt · www.reporter.gr · economytoday.sigmalive.com · fr.businessam.be · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Abramovich claimed that working groups, rather than the Council, were responsible for adopting the sanctions. observador.pt · www.reporter.gr · economytoday.sigmalive.com · www.ot.gr · www.efsyn.gr · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Abramovich holds shares in Norilsk Nickel, a major producer of palladium and refined nickel. www.mediafax.ro · observador.pt · economytoday.sigmalive.com · www.reporter.gr · fr.businessam.be · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The UK has frozen £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea FC, which Abramovich previously owned. www.mediafax.ro
- [● 2 SOURCES] Abramovich holds Russian, Israeli, and Portuguese citizenship. www.mediafax.ro · observador.pt
- [● 13 SOURCES] The EU General Court dismissed Roman Abramovich's appeal to overturn EU sanctions. businesselitesafrica.com · www.mediafax.ro · observador.pt · www.reporter.gr · www.kyivpost.com · +7 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Abramovich sought compensation for non-material damage caused by his inclusion on the sanctions list. www.kyivpost.com · paintandpainting.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The EU Council extended sanctions against Abramovich until September 2025 and March 2026. www.reporter.gr · www.mediafax.ro · economytoday.sigmalive.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The court ruled that the sanctions were objective, precise, and proportionate. www.reporter.gr · www.mediafax.ro · economytoday.sigmalive.com · www.ot.gr · www.efsyn.gr · +1 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The court dismissed his case, leaving the asset freeze and restrictions on his entry into EU territory in place. www.kyivpost.com · economytoday.sigmalive.com · www.reporter.gr · businesselitesafrica.com · fr.businessam.be · +6 more