STORY: Britain has indicated that a prosecution or other legal action could be brought over the frozen $3.2 billion from Russian businessman Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea soccer club.
The UK government sanctioned Abramovich in a crackdown on Russian oligarchs following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
That triggered a rushed sale of the Premier League club in 2022.
And the freezing of the proceeds under obscure terms.
Three years on, the money is yet to be disbursed during a row over its distribution.
Britain wants the money spent only in Ukraine in line with a wider European push for Moscow to foot the bill for the destruction and deaths.
Abramovich wants more flexibility and for the money to go to all victims.
Asked by Reuters to provide a central document with the Chelsea sale terms, the UK government said it could not because that may interfere with, quote, “law enforcement”.
It was unclear who might be under suspicion or what potential wrongdoing was involved.
Abramovich has denied having close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
And his legal representatives said there were no cases against him in the UK.
Chelsea enjoyed the most successful run in the club’s history under Abramovich.
The club was sold to a consortium led by U.S. investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital in 2022.