By Ben Kerrigan-
Russian Oligarchs are queuing up to contest the sanctions imposed against them by the British government.
The UK has sanctioned some 1,600 individuals in connection with the conflict – including numerous UHNW individuals
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Russian born billionaire, Eugene Shvidler, is contesting two of his private jets, worth up to $60m (£45m), being detained last March.
The 59-year-old billionaire was born in the Soviet Union and holds UK and US citizenship and has not visited Russia for more than 15 years and has no political links to the country.
He was sanctioned over ties with ex-Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich and a mining company operating in Russia.
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Abramovich is separately challenging his own sanctions in the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The EU court is said to be poised to take up Abramovich’s challenge to economic sanctions imposed on him following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Putting up a fight: Roman Abromavich Image: EPA
In the first such case of its kind at the High Court, the 59-year-old, who moved to the US in 1989, wants the sanctions lifted.
Lord Anderson KC, representing Mr Shvidler, said there could be no doubt his client was “sought to be used as a poster boy for Russian sanctions” in light of comments made by ministers at the time his planes were seized.
Mr Shvidler said his designation under post-Brexit regulations on sanctions was unlawful, and an order quashing the designation.
Lord Anderson said the designation had destroyed Mr Shvidler’s ability to deal with his assets and conduct his business, disrupted his life and the lives of his family, deprived employees of their livelihoods and shattered his reputation.
He said his client has no relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin nor any influence on Russian policy – and had spoken out against the war in Ukraine.
He added that England had been Mr Shvidler’s main home since 2004 and his five children were all British citizens at UK schools – adding that two of them “were required to leave those schools” because of the sanctions.
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