The Authorities has been requested to disclose what steps it has taken to research whether or not Manchester Metropolis proprietor Sheikh Mansour assisted rich Russians it has sanctioned in shifting their property to the United Arab Emirates.
Attorneys performing on behalf of a Ukrainian activist – who needs to stay nameless for concern of reprisals from Russia – have written to Overseas Secretary James Cleverly to ask whether or not investigations have been carried out to find out whether or not Mansour, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister, ought to be recognized as a ‘designated particular person’ topic to monetary sanctions beneath the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Laws 2019.
As of final week, the UK Authorities mentioned greater than 1,800 people had been sanctioned beneath the rules, with greater than 1,600 of these sanctioned since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
That quantity contains former Chelsea proprietor Roman Abramovich. His property, together with Chelsea, had been frozen, with a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly taking up final summer time.
The request for an replace on Sheikh Mansour follows an preliminary letter from the legal professionals, Rhys Davies of Temple Backyard Chambers and Ben Keith from 5, St Andrew’s Hill Chambers, on behalf of their shopper which was despatched to Cleverly in September final 12 months.
The Overseas Secretary can solely designate an individual if he has cheap grounds to suspect that the person is “an concerned particular person” within the destabilisation of Ukraine.
Involvement is outlined as somebody who’s chargeable for, engages in, gives assist for, or promotes any coverage or motion which destabilises Ukraine or undermines or threatens its territorial integrity.
If Sheikh Mansour was designated as a person topic to Authorities sanctions, it might disqualify him as an proprietor beneath the Premier League’s up to date guidelines on its house owners’ and administrators’ check which had been printed in March.
The brand new letter, despatched to Cleverly on Thursday and seen by the PA information company, states: “Sheikh Mansour is a very high-profile particular person and because the proprietor of one of many United Kingdom’s most celebrated soccer golf equipment, is an individual who must be topic to cheap scrutiny by the UK Authorities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we make no allegations as to any explicit conduct of Sheikh Mansour. Nonetheless, in mild of the wealth of proof within the public area tending to hyperlink Sheikh Mansour with the lodging of rich Russians within the UAE, we respectfully counsel that there’s a prima facie foundation for the UK authorities to conduct an investigation.”
The brand new letter has been despatched because the UAE prepares to host the COP28 local weather change convention between November 30 and December 12 and notes that Sheikh Mansour is prone to play a “seen position” within the occasion.
“The bloodshed brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues,” the letter acknowledged.
“You’re requested to notice that, as set out in our earlier correspondence, however the sturdy nature of the British response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Russian oligarchs seem to have discovered a house for his or her wealth within the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi apparently being significantly engaging to these people.
“In mild of the worldwide consideration which can be centered on each the UAE and Sheikh Mansour on the forthcoming COP28 occasion, we write to you to investigate what steps you’ve got taken additional to our request of September 30, 2022 to open an investigation into the conduct of Sheikh Mansour.
“You might recollect that we invited the UK authorities to contemplate whether or not or not the conduct of Sheikh Mansour is such that he’s an appropriate particular person to be designated, pursuant to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Laws 2019.
“Within the circumstances, it’s essential that the UK Authorities takes all essential steps in step with its statutory and worldwide obligations.”
The Overseas, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace, the UAE’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Manchester Metropolis have all been contacted for remark.
