A court in the city of Lausanne has lifted a ban on the publication of the Federal Office of Police (FedPol) report about the Russian billionaire, which was obtained by the Zurich-based media group Tamedia, whose news outlets published details from the report earlier this week.
They claimed that police recommended Mr Abramovich’s application be rejected over suspicions he might have been involved in money laundering and concerns he allegedly had contacts to criminal organisations.
According to the Tanges-Anzeiger newspaper report, FedPol provided no evidence about Mr Abramovich for the suspicions and concerns expressed in its report.
The 51-year-old has not been accused of any specific crimes or charged with any crimes in Switzerland or any other country.
His lawyer Daniel Glasl has denied any wrongdoing.
“Any suggestion that Mr Abramovich has been involved in money laundering or has contacts with criminal organisations is entirely false,” he 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, connections with criminal organisations.”
Mr Glasl said he had filed a request for “correction of facts” to FedPol.
The Chelsea owner’s legal team has fought for seven months to prevent the release of the information found in the report. They obtained a legal injunction in February, a ruling overturned prior to this week's publication.
Mr Abramovich had applied for a residency permit two years ago, according to the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration.
Swiss immigration authorities are able to fast track applications if the individual is believed to be able to contribute a significant amount of tax. According to the Tanges-Anzeiger report, 587 wealthy individuals have been granted residency on the ground of “substantial… financial interests”.
Earlier this year Mr Abramovich reportedly withdrew an application to renew his investor visa in the UK. Former Chelsea chief executive Trevor Birch said a recent decision to put plans for a new Chelsea stadium on hold were “obviously linked to the visa situation.”
The Russian billionaire obtained Israeli citizenship in May, according to media reports in the country. The country grants citizenship to any Jewish person wishing to move there.
Israeli passport holders are able to enter the UK for a visit without a visa.
The Independent
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