London’s High Court has rejected a claim by businessman Mikhail Fridman, who asked to be allowed to spend an additional 30,000 pounds ($35,000) a month on the maintenance of his mansion, Athlone House. Reuters Reference is made to the written judgment of Justice Pushpinder Saini.
Previously, Britain’s Financial Sanctions Office (OFSI) had refused to grant Friedman additional licenses to cover his costs associated with managing the mansion. The oligarch demanded 30 thousand pounds a month for the maintenance of the house, in addition to 1,850 pounds (about $ 2,243) for telephone communications, audio and television equipment, heating and lighting.
Friedman’s lawyers said at today’s hearing that their client wanted to return to England. In his decision, the judge said that the return of the entrepreneur “will not be possible” since he is subject to a de facto entry ban.
A UK government spokesman welcomed the court’s decision and said it showed “the financial sanctions compliance regime is working”.
Freedman’s lawyers insisted that Athlone House, especially the “art collection” housed within it, was a “unique property with unique needs.” The cost of the collection could reach £44 million ($53.2 million).
The entrepreneur bought the mansion for 65 million lira.
“Oligarch with no money”
Friedman had also previously asked OFSI to allow him to spend money on non-security staff, including drivers. He was rejected on the grounds that he “could use public transportation”.
The Russian billionaire, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes to be $12.8 billion, was subject to sanctions in March 2022. He later said he found himself “in the strange position of an ‘oligarch’ with almost no money.”
On September 19, the United Kingdom tightened sanctions against Friedman, banning his ships from entering British ports and planes from landing at British airports.
Homecoming
In October, Friedman moved from Great Britain to Israel, but was forced to fly to Russia almost immediately due to the Hamas movement unleashing a large-scale conflict.
“I moved to Israel a week ago. Now due to the current situation I flew to Moscow. “When everything calms down, I plan to return to Israel and live there permanently,” he said. Bloomberg.
Commenting on Fridman’s return, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that if in the minds of the overwhelming majority of citizens a person “acted immorally against the Russian Federation, then he will feel it.”
At the same time, the head of state assured that if Fridman did not violate Russian legislation, no investigation would be opened against him.
“We have a free country. A person has the right to choose his place of residence as he sees fit. There are no restrictions here. And I do not see anything immoral here,” the Russian leader concluded.