Britain tightened sanctions against Friedman

The UK has tightened sanctions against Russian businessman, founder of Alfa Group Mikhail Fridman, introducing transport restrictions. Updated information is provided in the anti-Russian sanctions listpublished on the website of the government of the kingdom.

The new restrictions apply to ships and aircraft associated with the businessman. They are prohibited from entering the kingdom’s ports and airports or registering in the country’s ship or aviation registries. The sanctions provide for the possibility of detaining such ships and aircraft, and also prohibit the provision of any technical assistance to them.

Last week it became known that London stopped investigation against Friedman in connection with suspicions of circumventing sanctions. The kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said it would “take no further action against Friedman based on the warrant issued in December 2022.” Then searches were carried out at his Athlone House mansion in north London. Friedman was detained, after which he was released on bail and filed a lawsuit against the NCA.

After the start of a special military operation in Ukraine and subsequent sanctions from Western countries, Fridman left the supervisory board Alfa Bank. Friedman, as reported by Bloomberg, issued a bank loan to his assistant to circumvent restrictions, which was the reason for the NCA investigation.

Earlier in August, the UK expanded the anti-Russian sanctions list of individuals and companies by 19 positions. The restrictions included, in particular, Russian companies importing electronics and their components, as well as legal entities from Turkey, the UAE and Iran.