In the fall out from the report on the murder of Litvinenko it emerges that Abramovich is accused of blackmail (encouraging Putin to use a 'sex tape' of a business rival) and money laundering. Presumably in addition to stealing from the Russian people. Why am I not at all surprised? I reckon some serious questions from the British authorities would have him running back home pretty sharpish. And good riddance.
Frightening to think that an organisation with the morals of the Kray Twins and considerably more astute, can be in charge of such a powerful country - and apparently have popular support. For a while, late last century, I thought Russia was moving forward - now it's clear it's gone back on itself
Cheers Stan (and God, although I am an atheist) I have been praying for such revelations for years. Scum soon to be the next Bolton?
The whole Chelsea / Abramovich things has always been weird imo. Given the rate at which Russian Oligarchs were threatened with extradition and / or death, I thought he just wanted the high media profile of being the Chelsea owner/ benefactor. Who had heard of Litvinenko before he was killed? Would he have been killed if he had as high a profile as Abramovich?
Could Putin sell him up the river to deflect crap from his door? Or will Romans millions save him, sadly I think it will be the latter
My view is that were it safe for Mr Abramoviich to go home, he would not be ensconced in the UK in the first place. There have been rumours and questions for years as to his rapid and shocking rise in fortune. The facts will never be fully known.
It's fair to say none of the 'oligarchs' would be in such a wealthy position without a serious amount of corruption and back-scratching with the Putin regime. Abramovich and several others have helped bankroll Russia's Winter Olympics and World Cup bids, clearly they were made offers they couldn't refuse. When their usefulness is spent or they are a threat to his power they will all go the same way. Assassinations are commonplace throughout the major Russian cities, often carried out in built-up areas with plenty of witnesses, but few of the 'culprits' are found unless 'stooges' are framed, this came from a Russian commentator who works at the BBC. Not a pleasant place to live...
Good job Putin is not a huge QPR fan. Could you imagine how many players and chairman that would have been assassinated by now...
