The UK has imposed sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s USM holding company, as well as family members of businessmen Vladimir Yevtushenkov and Suleiman Kerimov. Sanctions list updated published on the UK government website.
The justification for the sanctions against USM states that the holding company is “owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a person involved in obtaining benefits from or supporting the Russian government, namely Alisher Usmanov”. The document also states that the holding “carries out activities in sectors of strategic importance for the Russian government, namely in the Russian mining sector and the sector of information, communications and digital technologies”.
In addition, Curzon Square Limited and Hanley Limited, which UK authorities associate with Usmanov, and Meritservus HC Limited, fell under UK sanctions. According to the British government, the latter “acts on behalf of or under the direction” of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Alisher Usmanov has been under personal EU sanctions since March 2022. In April of the same year, he filed a complaint asking for the restrictions to be lifted. The Financial Times writing citing sources that Uzbekistan has asked the EU to lift sanctions against the billionaire because they prevent him from investing in the country’s economy.
The following are also subject to British sanctions:
Natalya, Tatyana and Felix Evtushenkovs – wife, daughter and son of the founder of AFK “Sistema” Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Gulnara Kerimova – daughter of a member of the Federation Council, billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, Vladimir and Varvara Skoch – father and daughter of the State Duma deputy, billionaire Andrei Skoch, Oksana Marchenko – wife of former Verkhovna Rada deputy of Ukraine Viktor Medvedchuk, who called himself the godfather of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A total of 1,500 companies and 184 individuals are on Britain’s Russia sanctions list. Restrictions include asset freezes and entry bans.
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