Cherie Blair to Act as Lawyer for Russian Businessman in $16 Billion Lawsuit, Reports Vedomosti
Mikhail Fridman is pursuing billions in compensation from Luxembourg related to asset freezes. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Cherie Blair, the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is reportedly part of the legal team representing sanctioned Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman in his dispute with Luxembourg over frozen assets, as reported by Vedomosti.
Blair is advocating for Fridman in a lawsuit challenging Luxembourg’s decision to freeze his assets following the EU sanctions against him, according to legal documents cited by the Russian newspaper.
Fridman, the founder of Alfa Group, one of the largest privately owned investment consortia in Russia, filed an international arbitration lawsuit against Luxembourg on Tuesday, seeking nearly €15 billion ($16 billion) in compensation. He asserts that Luxembourg’s implementation of the EU’s “spurious and unfounded” sanctions has led to permanent financial losses.
The billionaire contends that the sanctions were imposed solely because of his Russian citizenship and business success, labeling the action as a “grave injustice” and a breach of international law.
In his lawsuit, Fridman allegedly claims that Luxembourg’s actions violate a 1989 treaty between the Soviet Union and Belgium, which safeguards investors’ assets from expropriation, nationalization, or “any other measures having similar effects.”
Fridman, aged 60, was sanctioned by the UK, the EU, and Canada in 2022, and by the US in 2023. He successfully contested his inclusion in the EU sanctions list, resulting in his removal in April.
Holding both Russian and Israeli citizenship, Fridman had resided in London before relocating to Israel in early October. He previously expressed that life in Britain under sanctions was “impossible,” citing British authorities' refusal to let him cover the expenses for his London mansion and his staff’s wages.
Fridman moved to Israel just days before Hamas launched its surprise attack on the country on October 7. He later fled to Moscow, indicating to Bloomberg that he intends to “return to Israel and live there permanently” once the situation stabilizes.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Blair is advocating for Fridman in a lawsuit challenging Luxembourg’s decision to freeze his assets following the EU sanctions against him, according to legal documents cited by the Russian newspaper.
Fridman, the founder of Alfa Group, one of the largest privately owned investment consortia in Russia, filed an international arbitration lawsuit against Luxembourg on Tuesday, seeking nearly €15 billion ($16 billion) in compensation. He asserts that Luxembourg’s implementation of the EU’s “spurious and unfounded” sanctions has led to permanent financial losses.
The billionaire contends that the sanctions were imposed solely because of his Russian citizenship and business success, labeling the action as a “grave injustice” and a breach of international law.
In his lawsuit, Fridman allegedly claims that Luxembourg’s actions violate a 1989 treaty between the Soviet Union and Belgium, which safeguards investors’ assets from expropriation, nationalization, or “any other measures having similar effects.”
Fridman, aged 60, was sanctioned by the UK, the EU, and Canada in 2022, and by the US in 2023. He successfully contested his inclusion in the EU sanctions list, resulting in his removal in April.
Holding both Russian and Israeli citizenship, Fridman had resided in London before relocating to Israel in early October. He previously expressed that life in Britain under sanctions was “impossible,” citing British authorities' refusal to let him cover the expenses for his London mansion and his staff’s wages.
Fridman moved to Israel just days before Hamas launched its surprise attack on the country on October 7. He later fled to Moscow, indicating to Bloomberg that he intends to “return to Israel and live there permanently” once the situation stabilizes.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
