Chelsea FC owner refused permission to live in Swiss

Chelsea football club owner, Roman Abramovich has been forced to deny allegations of money laundering and contact with criminal organisations.

The Russian, who had problems renewing his UK visa earlier this year, wanted to set up home near the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier in Canton Valais.

But his application was rejected by federal authorities. Swiss journalists fought for the right to publish the reason for the refusal.

Today journalist Thomas Knellwolf said: “After half a year in court we can reveal that Swiss federal police see Chelsea Football Club boss Roman Abramovich as a possible danger for the country. That’s why he can’t move to Switzerland.”

Abramovich vehemently denies the allegations.

His lawyer Daniel Glasl said: “We are extremely disappointed by the release and publication of confidential information from Swiss government files regarding Mr Abramovich, which occurred in clear violation of Swiss criminal law and Swiss data protection laws.

“We have filed a request for correction of facts to the Swiss Federal Police and will be filing a criminal complaint against unknown persons responsible for dissemination of this confidential information.

“Any suggestion that Mr Abramovich has been involved in money laundering or has contacts with criminal organisations is entirely false.”

The extraordinary case began in July 2016 when Abramovich applied for a permit to settle in Valais, including transfer of his tax residency.

The Canton’s immigration services were delighted.

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The Canton’s head of immigration services Jacques de Lavallaz said at the time: “In view of his financial background, Roman Abramovich would be a very interesting taxpayer for the commune and the canton and we gave a positive decision.”

Wealthy foreigners can apply for residency citing ‘major public interest’ which, in most cases, means a very significant tax burden.

But, when the dossier was passed to federal authorities in Bern for final approval, it was provisionally rejected.

Abramovich was granted the right to a hearing in the summer of 2017 after which he withdrew his request.

Earlier this year Swiss newspapers were set to publish details about Abramovich’s withdrawal of his application.

But a court order was obtained by Abramovich banning this.

A judge at the Tribunal cantonal in Zurich issued an order preventing the press from publishing any details.

The Russian had also asked the court to ban the press from even reporting his desire to move to Switzerland but this was not granted.

At the time Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung said: ‘Our editorial team will continue fighting to get the ban lifted on this information. The background is likely to be of great public interest.’

The Swiss press appealed the decision.

Journalists now claim they can at last reveal that Fedpol’s objection centred around ‘suspicion of money laundering’ and alleged ‘contacts to criminal organisations’.

Mr Abramovich’s lawyer Dr Glasl said: ‘Mr Abramovich has never been charged with participating in money laundering and does not have a criminal record. He has never had, or been alleged to have, conections with criminal organisations.

‘Fedpol has failed to provide any evidence if criminality whatsoever.

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“Mr Abramovich has submitted to numerous, thorough background checks by governments and business partners over the years and such unsubstantiated allegations have never been at issue.”

Fedpol has been contacted for a statement.

According to Forbes 2016 billionaire list, Abramovich’s net worth was US$7.6 billion, making him the 13th-richest person in Russia, and the 151st-richest person in the world.

The case highlights a particular type of residence permit.

The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration can grant a foreigner a special permit if by doing so Switzerland stands to benefit significantly.

Switzerland can grant such permits in rare cases considered ‘of major public interest’ – generally, their potential tax contributions.

In the last ten years 578 people have been awarded such permits.

The objection to Abramovich raises the question whether Switzerland has changed its practice toward rich Russians.